Principal-agent interactions in which the agent can preemptively signal prosociality can achieve higher levels of trust and reciprocity if both parties care about social esteem (Boulu-Reshef and Kuechle, 2023). However, it is unclear to what extent social esteem is necessary for this outcome. In...

This article presents four experiments testing the prediction that assignment of contract rights erodes the moral obligation to perform. The first three studies used an experimental laboratory game designed to model contractual exchange. Players in the games were less selfish with a previously...

This paper proposes a laboratory experiment that will lend empirical support to recent theoretical advances regarding the simultaneous occurrence of trust and distrust in relationships. We highlight the role of reputations before a transactional relationship begins, as well as the impact of...