Impact of Gender-Based Social Norms on Intra-Household Financial Decision-Making

Last registered on August 15, 2026
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Pre-Trial

Trial Information

General Information

Title
Impact of Gender-Based Social Norms on Intra-Household Financial Decision-Making
RCT ID
AEARCTR-0012776
Initial registration date
January 27, 2024

Initial registration date is when the trial was registered.

It corresponds to when the registration was submitted to the Registry to be reviewed for publication.

First published
January 31, 2024, 11:47 AM EST

First published corresponds to when the trial was first made public on the Registry after being reviewed.

Last updated
August 15, 2026, 7:53 AM EDT

Last updated is the most recent time when changes to the trial's registration were published.

Locations

Country
India
Region
Assam and Meghalaya

Primary Investigator

Name
Shagata Mukherjee
Affiliation
CSBC, Ashoka University
Contact Primary Investigator

Other Primary Investigator(s)

PI Name
Dinabandhu Mondal
PI Affiliation
CSBC, Ashoka University
Contact Investigator

Additional Trial Information

Status
Completed
Start date
2024-02-01
End date
2024-09-30
Keywords
Behavior, Finance & Microfinance, Gender
Additional Keywords
Social Norms, Lineage System
JEL code(s)
G41, G21, D14, Z13
Secondary IDs
Prior work
This trial does not extend or rely on any prior RCTs.
Abstract
Through a lab-in-the-field experiment, we will study the effect of gender-based social norms on intra-household financial decision-making among couples across three neighbouring societies in India - the Khasi society in Meghalaya, the Karbi society and the Dimasa society in Assam. Outcomes will be measured through behavioural experiment games and a post-experiment survey separately among spouses at a lab-in-the-field setting.
External Link(s)

Registration Citation

Citation
Mondal, Dinabandhu and Shagata Mukherjee. 2026. "Impact of Gender-Based Social Norms on Intra-Household Financial Decision-Making." AEA RCT Registry. August 15. https://doi.org/10.1257/rct.12776-2.0
Sponsors & Partners
Experimental Details

Interventions

Intervention(s)
We would use two public goods game and willingness to pay game with both the spouses separately, aimed at understanding the effects of gender norms on intra-household financial decision making among three different communities - Khasi, Karbi, and Dimasa.
Intervention (Hidden)
Intervention Start Date
2024-02-01
Intervention End Date
2024-03-15

Primary Outcomes

Primary Outcomes (end points)
Intra-household allocation efficiency and intra-household bargaining power.

Primary Outcomes (explanation)
Intra-household allocation efficiency between husband and wife in the incentive-based game will be assessed through contribution by both the husband and wife to common fund.
Intra-household bargaining power will be measured by the split of money between the spouses from common fund and willingness to pay to receive the money himself or herself rather than the spouse.

Secondary Outcomes

Secondary Outcomes (end points)
Women empowerment index.
Secondary Outcomes (explanation)
Women empowerment index will be computed through a survey-based measures.

Experimental Design

Experimental Design
The experiment will test intra-household bargaining power between husband and wife. It will be measured by (a) two versions of public-goods games played by the husband and wife and (b) willingness to pay game.
Experimental Design Details
Two experiment games (public goods game and willingness to pay) will be cross randomized and played at the individual level. The public goods game has two versions: symmetric and asymmetric information.
Randomization Method
Randomization will be done by a computer system as well as by rolling a die.
Randomization Unit
Couple level for public goods game and which game will be selected for final payment; Individual level for order of games.
Was the treatment clustered?
Yes

Experiment Characteristics

Sample size: planned number of clusters
525 couples (1050 individuals)
Sample size: planned number of observations
525 couples (1050 individuals)
Sample size (or number of clusters) by treatment arms
175 couples from each of the three communities - Karbi, Khasi and Dimasa.
Minimum detectable effect size for main outcomes (accounting for sample design and clustering)
Supporting Documents and Materials
IRB

Institutional Review Boards (IRBs)

IRB Name
Ashoka University Institutional Review Board
IRB Approval Date
2024-01-25
IRB Approval Number
23-X-10079-Mondal
Analysis Plan

Analysis Plan Documents

Pre-Analysis Plan

MD5: 3ba000c25dbe9da550eea9a5153697ec

SHA1: 9eb93744c8c2b6a656e7e4e2fb91dc9e77fa5bb4

Uploaded At: August 15, 2026

Post-Trial

Post Trial Information

Study Withdrawal

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Intervention

Is the intervention completed?
No
Data Collection Complete
Data Publication

Data Publication

Is public data available?
No

Program Files

Program Files
Reports, Papers & Other Materials

Relevant Paper(s)

Reports & Other Materials