In the Ultimatum Game, what typically influences a responder's decision to accept or reject an offer?

In the Ultimatum Game, responders primarily base their decisions on the perceived fairness of the offer rather than the size of the offer alone. Research has shown that individuals often have a strong sense of fairness and are influenced by social norms, which can override purely self-interested economic calculations. When presented with an offer, responders assess it not just in terms of the amount they would receive, but also in terms of whether they believe the offer reflects fairness and equity.

For instance, even if the offer is substantial, a responder may reject it if they perceive it as unfair, believing that the proposer is taking advantage of the situation. This behavior highlights the importance of fairness in decision-making processes and indicates that emotional and social considerations play a significant role in how offers are evaluated.

Other factors such as the experience level of the proposer or the emotional state of the responder may influence decisions in a broader context, but they are not the primary determinants in the context of the Ultimatum Game. The focus is on how fairness perceptions impact choices in such economic interactions.