ICES Seminar in Experimental Economics and Game Theory
A Field Experiment on Social Visibility in Climate Beliefs
Friday, October 31, 2025 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM EDT
Vernon Smith Hall (formerly Metropolitan Building), 5183
The ICES Seminar in Experimental Economics and Game Theory of the Fall 2025 semester will feature:
Villanova University
A Field Experiment on Social Visibility in Climate Beliefs
Abstract
We investigate how social visibility affects the formation and expression of climate-related beliefs. In an incentivized field experiment with agricultural producers, participants estimated changes in local rainfall before and after receiving a noisy piece of information, then submitted bids for a soil test. The two-by-two between-subjects design varied participants’ social influence ability (i.e. whether their estimates would be shared with others) and the timing of perspective revelation (i.e. whether climate views were elicited before or after the initial belief elicitation). Social influence ability amplified expressed rainfall change estimates, especially among climate influence proponents. Yet when perspectives were revealed beforehand, the effect reversed: visible participants reported more moderate beliefs and exhibited stronger responsiveness to the signal. The results suggest that social visibility shapes belief formation through dual mechanisms, enhancing expressive amplification when individuals seek to influence others, while promoting more evidence-based updating under social accountability. Social influence ability also increased soil test bids through a direct channel rather than through belief updating. This study offers novel insights into the social dynamics underlying climate belief polarization.
For more information about the Seminar Series, please visit the Seminar Schedule homepage.
