Using two lab-in-the-field experiments, we study whether initial transgression leads to subsequent anti-social behavior. In the first stage, subjects participated in an experimental market game. In the second stage, subjects were given an opportunity to participate in anti-social experiment. We find that subjects who impose a negative externality on uninvolved third parties in the market game are also more likely to burn their partner’s income in the second experiment. This finding is consistent with a conscience-numbing effect but could possibly also be explained by participants’ preferences for consistency.
Online Appendix | 105.00000202_app.pdf
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