An individual, Alex, receives a $1,000 bonus for a project completed with a partner, Ben. Alex has the sole authority to decide how to split the bonus. Despite being able to keep the entire amount without consequence, Alex decides to keep $600 and give $400 to Ben. Based on this action alone, what can be inferred about Alex's preferences?

Analyzing Economic Preferences in a Bonus Scenario

Match each economic preference type with the scenario that best illustrates it.

Consider an individual with purely self-interested preferences who has the opportunity to split a $200 cash prize. They are presented with two choices: (A) keep all $200 for themself, or (B) keep $199 and give $1 to a stranger . According to the definition of purely self-interested preferences, this individual would be indifferent between choice A and choice B.

Evaluating a Financial Decision from Different Preference Perspectives

Imagine a scenario where a person has to decide how to allocate a $100 windfall between themself and a friend. The person's optimal choice results in them keeping $70 and giving $30 to the friend, even though they could have kept all $100. Which of the following statements provides the most accurate analysis of this choice?

Analyzing Economic Preferences in Action

An individual is given a $500 bonus to be allocated between themself and a teammate. The individual has complete control over the allocation. A purely self-interested person would keep the entire $500. However, this individual finds their own satisfaction is maximized by keeping $400 and giving $100 to the teammate. From the perspective of economic preferences, what does the $100 given to the teammate signify?

An individual has exclusive control over allocating a £200 prize between themself and another person. We can represent two possible allocations as follows:

• Allocation S: (£200 for self, £0 for other)
• Allocation A: (£140 for self, £60 for other)

If a person with purely self-interested preferences chooses Allocation S, and a person with altruistic preferences chooses Allocation A, which statement provides the most accurate analysis of their satisfaction (utility)?

An individual has the sole authority to decide how to allocate a $500 project bonus. They could keep the entire amount for themself. Instead, they choose an allocation where they keep $400 and give $100 to a colleague who also worked on the project. The personal financial cost to this individual for making this altruistic choice is $____.

Context-Dependent Nature of Altruism

Impact of Altruism on Strategies in the Pest Control Game