Positive fantasies dampen charitable giving when many resources are demanded

Kappes, Heather Barry ORCID: 0000-0002-6335-3888, Sharma, Eesha and Oettingen, Gabriele (2013) Positive fantasies dampen charitable giving when many resources are demanded. Journal of Consumer Psychology, 23 (1). pp. 128-135. ISSN 1057-7408

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Abstract

Previous research found that positive fantasies about an idealized future yield low energy to pursue the fantasized future. We examined how positive fantasies about the resolution of a crisis (i.e., a lack of pain medication in Sierra Leone, the risk of flooding after Hurricane Irene) influence people's agreement to donate to charitable efforts directed at crisis resolution. In three studies, positive fantasies dampened the likelihood of agreeing to donate a relatively large amount of money, effort, or time, but did not affect the likelihood of agreeing to donate a relatively small amount of these resources. The effect of positive fantasies was mediated by perceiving the donation of larger (but not smaller) amounts of resources as overly demanding. These findings suggest that charitable solicitations requesting small donations might benefit from stimulating positive fantasies in potential donors, but those requesting large donations could be hurt.

Item Type:	Article
Official URL:	http://www.journals.elsevier.com/journal-of-consum...
Additional Information:	© 2012 Society for Consumer Psychology.
Divisions:	Management
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General)
Date Deposited:	21 Sep 2012 10:10
Last Modified:	12 Dec 2024 00:19
URI:	http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/id/eprint/46279

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