V. Pelligra, I. Doneddu, R. Fadda, A. Isoni*

 

Models of social preferences are based either on distributional concerns or intention-detection. The former assume that agents can empathize with others while the latter assume that agents can “mind-read”. This paper reports on the results of two experiments involving Normally Developing subjects and subjects affected by Autism Spectrum Disorders, based on, respectively, several variants

of the ultimatum mini-game and of the trust game. In both experiments we also investigate the cognitive and social abilities of each subject using standard theory-of-mind and moral judgment tests as well as the Cambridge Empathy Quotient Questionnaire. Our data provide support for the following provisional conclusions: first, intention-detection is likely to explain negatively reciprocal choices; second, empathy is negatively correlated with inequality-aversion; third, neither empathy nor intention-detection are likely to explain positive reciprocity.

 

Keywords: Social Preferences, Theory of Mind, Empathy, Autism.

JEL classification: C72, C91.

 

* Rispettivamente:

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