Date of Graduation
Spring 5-18-2024
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science in International and Development Economics (MSIDEC)
College/School
College of Arts and Sciences
Department/Program
Economics
First Advisor
Bruce Wydick
Abstract
High temperatures have the capacity to cause catastrophic changes in social and economic systems, but does heat impact our social behavior, and is this potential effect moderated by a person's social and personal well-being? In this paper, I utilize data from a 5 country laboratory experiment and run a fixed effect regression model to understand the role of these metrics in determining behavioral outcomes. The results suggest that heat alone has no impact on egalitarianism, generosity, or selfishness, but that it does have a small negative impact on spite. Stress was also found to have a negative impact on spite, however, when heat and stress are both present, the negative effect on spite is reduced.
Recommended Citation
Sottile, Antonia Michele, "Heat and Social Behavior: The Effect of Personal and Social Well-Being" (2024). Master's Theses. 1560.
https://repository.usfca.edu/thes/1560
