How do incidental emotions impact pro-environmental behavior? Evidence from the dictator game

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to study the impact of emotions on monetary donations to pro-environmental causes. We design a three-stage laboratory experiment. In the first stage, participants have the possibility to receive an endowment from an effort game. In the second stage, emotions are induced in the participants. Finally, participants play a dictator game in which the recipient is an environmental Non-Governmental Organization (NGO). We show that incidental emotions do not prompt donations themselves, but that certain emotional states (“Awe”) can increase the amount donated.