How parents’ social comparison orientation influences children’s decision in a public goods game

Abstract

ABSTRACT Frequent social comparisons can not only influence parents’ well-being but also spill over to their children’s development through intergenerational influences within the family. Using data from children and their parents, the current study shows that the higher parents’ social comparison orientation is, the less their children are willing to contribute to the public in a public goods game. Moreover, we find that if children interact more frequently with non-family members, the effects of parents’ social comparison orientation on children’s decision in public goods game become stronger. The findings of this study serve as a warning for parents and policy makers regarding the downside of excessive social comparisons and shed light on how frequent social comparisons influence human social interaction from an intergenerational perspective.