The Impact of Implicit Mindsets on Charitable Giving: Focusing on the Mediating Role of Perceived Donation Efficacy

Abstract

This study investigates the impact of implicit mindsets on donation behavior toward poverty-related causes, focusing on perceived donation efficacy (PDE) and blame toward beneficiaries. Study 1 examined chronic trait mindsets and found that a growth mindset increased PDE, which in turn promoted donation intention, whereas the traditional blame-mediated pathway was not supported. Study 2 used text-based priming to induce temporary mindset states and examined their effects on actual monetary donation behavior. The results showed that a growth mindset promoted donation participation through a sequential process in which PDE increased donation intention, which in turn increased the likelihood of donating; again, the blame-based pathway was not supported. Taken together, these findings suggest that the primary driver of poverty-related giving is not the suppression of blame but the cognitive formation of PDE, that is, the belief that one’s contribution can make a meaningful difference. The study extends the literature on implicit theories and prosocial behavior by identifying PDE as a key psychological mechanism in donor decision-making.?