We investigate the efficacy of a novel manipulation of choice architecture to affect giving-- increasing the number of action options available to donors to increase how much they give. Across six experiments, viewing multiple bids for aid increased both intention to donate and actual donation (controlling for affective states that have been previously associated with costly helping). Finally, we replicate our effect in a natural experiment of charitable donations (N = 10,000). Presenting donors with multiple bids increased the average donation by $8.77 (a 19.7% increase).
In this field experiment, we took a novel approach to building empathy among early adolescents in four schools (n = 857), targeting the motivation to empathize rather than addressing the ability to empathize. Students who received a norms-based intervention, compared to those in other conditions—experienced greater motivation to empathize, which indirectly affected their prosocial behavior as reported by peers. Findings suggest a novel avenue for increasing empathy among adolescents—by focusing on peer-driven motivation—and underscore the importance of context in shaping intervention outcomes.