Impediments to Effective Altruism: The Role of Subjective Preferences in Charitable Giving Journal Article uri icon

Overview

abstract

  • Charity could do the most good if every dollar donated went to causes that produced the greatest welfare gains. In line with this proposition, the effective-altruism movement seeks to provide individuals with information regarding the effectiveness of charities in hopes that they will contribute to organizations that maximize the social return of their donation. In this research, we investigated the extent to which presenting effectiveness information leads people to choose more effective charities. We found that even when effectiveness information is made easily comparable across options, it has a limited impact on choice. Specifically, people frequently choose less effective charity options when those options represent more subjectively preferred causes. In contrast to making a personal donation decision, outcome metrics are used to a much greater extent when choosing financial investments and when allocating aid resources as an agent of an organization. Implications for effective altruism are discussed.

publication date

  • May 1, 2018

has restriction

  • green

Date in CU Experts

  • January 7, 2023 8:40 AM

Full Author List

  • Berman JZ; Barasch A; Levine EE; Small DA

author count

  • 4

Other Profiles

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

  • 0956-7976

Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)

  • 1467-9280

Additional Document Info

start page

  • 834

end page

  • 844

volume

  • 29

issue

  • 5