The Psychology Of Donation Boxes
Robert Paul Reyes
February 24, 2007
From Reuters:
People will not give money if they are thanked in advance or presented with an empty donation box, but will dig deep if they see banknotes, according to a study by New Zealand academics released on Wednesday.
The research by Victoria University of Wellington’s economics department showed that how much is already in a donation box, the mix of coins and notes, and what sorts of signs are present will influence how generous the public will be.”
I would have to agree with the results of this study. When I see a street performer with an empty donation box, I’m hesitant to give, even if I think he’s really talented. I don’t want to call attention to myself, by being the first one to make a donation. What if the guy really sucks, everyone will think I’m an idiot when I drop my coin in his hat.
A donation box that’s brimming with banknotes on the other hand inspires me to give. A street performer might be the worst singer in the world, but if has a lot of loot in his hat, who am I to go against the verdict of the crowd?
And I definitely won’t give a dime to a beggar or a street performer with a “Thank You” sign. That’s very presumptuous on the part of the street performer or beggar; he might as well put up a sign that reads: F*** You If You Don’t Give.
I’m glad I no longer live in a big city teeming with beggars and street performers; I feel guilty when I don’t give and I feel like a schmuck with I do give.
People will not give money if they are thanked in advance or presented with an empty donation box, but will dig deep if they see banknotes, according to a study by New Zealand academics released on Wednesday.
The research by Victoria University of Wellington’s economics department showed that how much is already in a donation box, the mix of coins and notes, and what sorts of signs are present will influence how generous the public will be.”
I would have to agree with the results of this study. When I see a street performer with an empty donation box, I’m hesitant to give, even if I think he’s really talented. I don’t want to call attention to myself, by being the first one to make a donation. What if the guy really sucks, everyone will think I’m an idiot when I drop my coin in his hat.
A donation box that’s brimming with banknotes on the other hand inspires me to give. A street performer might be the worst singer in the world, but if has a lot of loot in his hat, who am I to go against the verdict of the crowd?
And I definitely won’t give a dime to a beggar or a street performer with a “Thank You” sign. That’s very presumptuous on the part of the street performer or beggar; he might as well put up a sign that reads: F*** You If You Don’t Give.
I’m glad I no longer live in a big city teeming with beggars and street performers; I feel guilty when I don’t give and I feel like a schmuck with I do give.
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