Testing consumer theory: evidence from a natural field experiment

We present evidence from a natural field experiment designed to shed light on whether individual behavior is consistent with a neoclassical model of utility maximization subject to budget constraints. We do this through the lens of a field experiment on charitable giving. We find that the behavior of at least 80% of individuals, on both the extensive and intensive margins, can be rationalized within a standard neoclassical choice model in which individuals have preferences, defined over own consumption and their contribution towards the charitable good, satisfying the axioms of revealed preference. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (10.1007/s40881-017-0040-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.