Free rider behavior is determined by innate factor or acquired factor?

Abstract

In economic and social systems, the personal contribution usually varies in different age period. We investigate the impacts of social network on individual contribution in their lifespan. First, we use Ucinet software to analyze individual social network density. Second, we use E-views software to analyze experimental data. We design an experiment in which personal consumption level and gender are introduced to the standard L-D experiment. We also explore the link between educational level and free rider behavior. The results of a plenty of laboratory experiments indicate that the free rider behavior is determined by the acquired factor rather than innate factor.