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American Economic Review: Vol. 101 No. 4 (June 2011)
AER Volume. 101, Issue 4 | 
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Face Value
Article Citation
Eckel, Catherine C., and
Ragan Petrie. 2011. "Face Value."
American Economic Review,
101(4): 1497-1513.
DOI: 10.1257/aer.101.4.1497
DOI: 10.1257/aer.101.4.1497
Abstract
People pay attention to the appearance of others, and personal characteristics can affect many types of decisions. We ask, is there informational value in a face in a situation where trust and reciprocity can increase earnings? We use a laboratory trust game experiment where subjects are unable to observe a counterpart, must observe a counterpart, or can pay to reveal a counterpart's photograph. Both senders and responders are willing to pay to observe the photos, and we show that behavior, earnings, and efficiency are affected. When subjects are "face to face," efficiency is enhanced, and senders have higher earnings. (JEL D12, D83, Z13)
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Authors
Eckel, Catherine C. (U TX, Dallas)
Petrie, Ragan (Interdisciplinary Center for Economic Science, George Mason U)
Petrie, Ragan (Interdisciplinary Center for Economic Science, George Mason U)
JEL Classifications
D12: Consumer Economics: Empirical Analysis
D83: Search; Learning; Information and Knowledge; Communication; Belief
Z13: Economic Sociology; Economic Anthropology; Social and Economic Stratification
D83: Search; Learning; Information and Knowledge; Communication; Belief
Z13: Economic Sociology; Economic Anthropology; Social and Economic Stratification
