The Giving Lab: Current Research Projects & Studies

Research in progress on: Charitable behavior, Help-giving, Donation-giving and Volunteering

Physical appearance and donation giving

Physical appearance is an important part of one’s identity. Most people actively manage their appearance to look better. However, such activities are considered self-centered and are often associated with vanity....

Maximizing mindset can maximize donations

What happens when we are faced with many options? Research has shown that a maximizing mindset is activated. The maximizing mindset is characterized by two features: holding a goal of...

Choosing a donation recipient

We make consumption choices every day; which coffee to order at Starbucks? Which shoes to buy on Amazon? But making consumption choices is inherently different than making donation choices. Comparing...

Donations in digital and social platforms

Digital platforms as an alternative way of financing have opened a new world of opportunities for raising donations. Digital platforms such as mobile apps, donation-based crowdfunding, social network campaigns, web...
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Frequently Asked Questions

1 What specific areas of charitable behavior are currently being researched at The Giving Lab?

The Giving Lab is actively researching charitable behavior, help-giving, donation-giving, and volunteering. Current projects delve into the impact of physical appearance on donations, how a maximizing mindset affects giving, the psychology behind choosing donation recipients, and the dynamics of donations on digital and social platforms.

2 How does The Giving Lab investigate the relationship between physical appearance and donation behavior?

The research explores how managing one's physical appearance, often perceived as self-centered, might influence an individual's propensity to give donations. It examines the potential interplay between personal identity, appearance management, and charitable contributions.

3 What is the focus of the research on maximizing mindset and donations?

This research investigates how a "maximizing mindset," typically activated when presented with numerous options, impacts donation behavior. It aims to understand if this mindset, characterized by a goal of optimizing choices, can be leveraged to increase charitable giving.

4 What aspects of digital and social platforms are being studied in relation to donations?

The Giving Lab is researching how digital platforms, including mobile apps, crowdfunding, and social network campaigns, are transforming donation opportunities. The focus is on understanding the new dynamics and potential for fundraising that these platforms introduce.