The sunk cost bias is a common fallacy that people fall victim to. It entails placing a higher value on an option because of the resources already invested in it, rather than rationally evaluating...Show moreThe sunk cost bias is a common fallacy that people fall victim to. It entails placing a higher value on an option because of the resources already invested in it, rather than rationally evaluating its current worth. This economic fallacy goes beyond financial investments and is found to also be present in romantic relationships. Our research investigates this effect, and whether age and gender play a role in it. This was investigated through a questionnaire with a total of 93 participants in the Netherlands. Our main hypothesis was that the temporal investment in the relationship significantly influences the likelihood of staying during difficult circumstances, such as a period of emotional distress or cheating. This prediction was confirmed. However, a difference in influence of temporal investment in the decision to stay in the relationship, between males and females, was not found to be significant. Moreover, age was only found to have a significant influence on the effect of temporal investment for the predicted length of staying. In conclusion, these findings demonstrate the presence of the sunk cost effect of temporal investment in romantic relationships, without a significant difference between males and females, or a significant effect of age that is attributable only to the sunk cost fallacy.Show less
Previous research has demonstrated that social preferences drive social decision-making however, social preferences are often crowded out by incentives. The current study examines how probabilistic...Show morePrevious research has demonstrated that social preferences drive social decision-making however, social preferences are often crowded out by incentives. The current study examines how probabilistic incentives affect the willingness to help to counter the crowding out effect. Willingness was measured through a vignette. The results show that regardless of condition, participants scored similarly on willingness to help. Anxiety was positively associated with willingness to help, suggesting that a more anxious person would be more likely to help a stranger. In addition, compared to male participants female participants showed less willingness to help another person. In conclusion, these findings show that probabilistic incentives do not affect willingness to help. Willingness to help can be influenced by anxiety and gender.Show less
