- **experimental instructions**
- **stata do-file** containing the full code to reproduce the data analysis reported in the paper
- **dataset** in stata (*.dta) format
**ABSTRACT:**
As technology-assisted decision-making is becoming more widespread,
it is important to understand how the algorithmic nature of the decision
maker affects how decisions are perceived by those affected. We use an online experiment to study the preference for human or algorithmic decision
makers in redistributive decisions. In particular, we consider whether an
algorithmic decision maker will be preferred because of its impartiality.
Contrary to previous findings, the majority of participants (over 60%)
prefer the algorithm as a decision maker over a human—but this is not
driven by concerns over biased decisions. However, despite this preference,
the decisions made by humans are regarded more favorably. Subjective
ratings of the decisions are mainly driven by participants’ own material
interests and fairness ideals. Participants tolerate any explainable deviation between the actual decision and their ideals but react very strongly
and negatively to redistribution decisions that are not consistent with any
fairness principles.