Influence of Social Preferences on Responder Behavior in the Ultimatum Game

Two individuals, a Proposer and a Responder, are part of a one-time economic interaction to divide a sum of $10. The Proposer offers a split, and the Responder can either accept it (they both get the proposed amounts) or reject it (they both get $0). If the Responder is assumed to be purely self-interested, meaning their only goal is to maximize their own financial gain, what will they do if the Proposer offers them $0.01?

Responder Behavior Under Competition vs. Self-Interest

Responder's Logic in a One-Shot Division Game

Analyzing Responder Behavior

In a one-shot interaction to divide a sum of money, a purely self-interested Responder should reject an offer they perceive as 'unfair' (for example, receiving only 1% of the total sum) to signal that such offers are unacceptable.

In a one-time interaction, a Proposer offers a Responder a share of $100. If the Responder accepts, they both get the proposed amounts. If the Responder rejects, they both get $0. Four different Responders are each offered $5. Which of the following Responders is acting in a way that is perfectly consistent with a model of pure self-interest (i.e., their only goal is to maximize their own monetary gain)?

In a one-time interaction, two individuals must agree on how to split $20. One person (the Proposer) makes an offer, and the other (the Responder) can either accept or reject it. If the offer is accepted, the money is split as proposed. If it is rejected, both individuals receive $0. The Proposer offers the Responder $0. Assuming the Responder's sole motivation is to maximize their own financial payoff, what is their optimal action?

In a one-time economic interaction, a 'Proposer' is given $10 and must offer a portion of it to a 'Responder'. The Responder can either accept the offer, in which case the money is split as proposed, or reject it, in which case both individuals receive $0. If the Responder's sole motivation is to maximize their own financial payoff, what is the smallest positive amount of money they should logically accept?

Critique of a Responder's Rationale

Evaluating a Responder's Decision

In a one-time interaction, a 'Proposer' offers a 'Responder' a portion of a sum of money. If the Responder accepts, the money is split as proposed; if they reject, both receive nothing. According to a model where the Responder's only goal is to maximize their own financial outcome, they should be willing to accept any offer that is strictly greater than ____.