Donate the same, reset or double it

Aim: Will you choose to donate the same as the last person, double it or reset the amount to £1 and what does that say about you?

The act of donating money, regardless of cause or amount should be a selfless act. But to what extent is that true?

I have set this page up, partly because I have lots of debts from bad choices. Paired with bills and dreams, both of which I struggle to pay for but also to answer an interesting question… “ given the choice, would you choose to donate the same as the last person donated. Or, would you double it. Or maybe you’d reset the game and donate the minimum.

There is of course an outlier which is choosing to donate a random amount that you’ve decided that isn’t based upon past donations or what other people do. However the next person has to choose based on the amount you chose to donate  therefore your choice does impact the next persons choice in some way!

This question touches upon the question of a selfless act. Can an act ever be truly selfless? In donating money to a cause you believe in, you are in fact getting a sense of satisfaction and a feeling that you’ve done something right. This is sometimes referred to as “self-serving”. In donating money and making yourself feel better, you’ve received a reward for your selfless act… therefore, is it still selfless or is  it now payment and reward?

I’m not going to explain what research suggests about selflessness based on which option you decide to choose, however, what I will tell you is this… 

The donations on this page are not for a specific cause. They will not go towards a charity or disadvantaged group. Your donation is the cost to take part and at the end of this project, learn what other people did. Furthermore, based on your choice, what the option you made says about you and whether your choice makes it more or less likely that choice to donate, was guided by a desire for self-gratification or, the opposite, guided by trying to make a selfless choice.

So, the question is… upon viewing a donation page (that’s as default as they come, leaving no possibility of opinion bias based on the charity or cause in question). What will you do?
1. donate the same amount as the last person did

2. Double the amount the last person paid

3. Reset the game and donate the minimum

** or are you an outlier and:

4. Donate a random amount that makes the next persons choice a totally different one.

I really hope you choose to take part in this project/research. I also hope that people from every demographic stumble upon this project. If, for example, someone famous and or rich… how will their wealth and public standing impact their choice??

I hope we all find out! Thank you for taking the time to read this and if you have donated whether it’s the minimum or more thank you so much for that. 

Funding method

Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made by 24th August 2025 at 11:35pm