Getting Paid to Help

Monday, August 1, 2011 at 9:44 AM
I read somewhere, that people are more inclined to help when there is no promise of reward afterwards. The logic being, if you're offered rewards, you feel indignant at the implication that incentives are needed for you to offer your time. Which made sense, when I thought about it.

I just got an email asking for volunteers to do a decision-research experiment, with an offer of a $10 Amazon gift card as a reward. I immediately felt like I didn't want to do the experiment, at the thought of seeming like I care about the $10 gift card. Yet, I had earlier asked my friend to help me move out of my apartment this fall, and I said we could go out for dinner afterwards. I did it to show my appreciation, but I hadn't considered how he would view the idea. I guess depending on what side of the transaction you're on, people have very different views.

- Howitzer

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