Trick or treat: A field study of social class differences in altruism

Abstract

Previous research has demonstrated social class differences in altruism; specifically, middle-class members are more sensitive to reciprocity norms than lower-class members. The present study investigated social class differences in altruism in a situation in which reciprocity norms were not particularly salient. Children trick or treated and received candy from 63 houses representing upper-, middle-, and lower-middle-class neighborhoods. Candy from each house was rated for subjective quality; results revealed that quality of candy was not related to social class. Contrary to studies of altruism in other settmgs, the relative cost of giving had no effect. This suggests that cost factors may not be related to altruism in all conditions.