The effect of priming on fraud: Evidence from a natural field experiment
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In: Economic Inquiry, Vol. 60, No. 4, 10.2022, p. 1854-1874.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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TY - JOUR
T1 - The effect of priming on fraud: Evidence from a natural field experiment
AU - Bindra, Parampreet Christopher
AU - Pearce, Graeme
PY - 2022/10
Y1 - 2022/10
N2 - We present a natural field experiment to examine if priming can influence behavior in a market for credence goods. 40 testers took 600 taxi journeys in Vienna, Austria, and using a between–subject design we vary the script they spoke, each designed to prime either honesty, dishonesty, or a competitor. We find that the honesty prime increases taxi fares by 5.5% relative to a baseline, the result of overcharging rather than overtreatment. Priming dishonesty and a competitor have no impact on fares. We find that the effects of priming on behavior are likely to be small compared to information asymmetries.
AB - We present a natural field experiment to examine if priming can influence behavior in a market for credence goods. 40 testers took 600 taxi journeys in Vienna, Austria, and using a between–subject design we vary the script they spoke, each designed to prime either honesty, dishonesty, or a competitor. We find that the honesty prime increases taxi fares by 5.5% relative to a baseline, the result of overcharging rather than overtreatment. Priming dishonesty and a competitor have no impact on fares. We find that the effects of priming on behavior are likely to be small compared to information asymmetries.
KW - credence goods
KW - field experiments
KW - fraud
KW - priming
U2 - 10.1111/ecin.13088
DO - 10.1111/ecin.13088
M3 - Article
C2 - 36247654
VL - 60
SP - 1854
EP - 1874
JO - Economic Inquiry
JF - Economic Inquiry
SN - 0095-2583
IS - 4
ER -