Eye images increase generosity, but not for long: the limited effect of a false cue Adam Sparks, Pat Barclay Shefali Garg(11678) Smith Gupta(11720)

Background  Cooperation increases as anonymity decreases.  Humans have neural circuitry that automatically activates in response to both real and pictured faces.  Human decision-making influenced not only by conscious, reasoned evaluation of explicit knowledge, but also by non-conscious, intuitive judgments based on implicit cues. How long does it last? Does it always work?

Importance  Helps resolve discrepancies about whether and when eye images influence cooperation  People habituate to an uninformative reputation cue  Informs efforts to use reputational cues to promote cooperation in real world or research settings

Experiment: Is the Eyes Effect sensitive to exposure length?

Conclusions  The eyes effect is an involuntary, subconscious response.  Significant effect of exposure length on giving.  More effective if few real observers will be present.  No observed effect on autistic people.  Effect on giving to in-group, not out-group.

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