Abstract

The purpose of my research is to explore whether inequality between individuals effects their inclination to cheat when there is money to be earned. The goal of my research is to impose a level of wealth inequality between two subjects in a classroom situation. I will accomplish this by dividing the class in half, then flipping a coin to determine which group will have an initial monetary reward payout. I will then allow each subject to participate in a game of chance (die-under-cup paradigm) where answers are confidential. This game of chance will be twenty repeated die rolls where only one of the six sides of the die has any potential for payout. My hypothesis is that due to aversion of individuals to inequality in either direction, when a wealth inequality is imposed on participants it will lead them to cheat and those participants exposed to inequality to their disadvantage will cheat more.

Advisor

Mellizo, Philip

Department

Economics

Disciplines

Economics

Keywords

inequality, cheating, behavioral economics, economics

Publication Date

2013

Degree Granted

Bachelor of Arts

Document Type

Senior Independent Study Thesis

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© Copyright 2013 Stephen Crozier