Costly, visible 'sacrifice and stigma'—prohibitions on dress, grooming, diet, and behavior (e.g., the Hare Krishnas' shaved heads, pink robes, and chanting)—function as efficient screening and monitoring devices: they exclude half-hearted free riders and signal genuine commitment, because such costs make it impossible to hold a normal secular job, so members forgo outside benefits to gain group benefits.

causalpending

Speaker

Larry Iannaccone

Evidence Quote

We are talking about what I have called in my writing sacrifice and stigma.

Source

The Economics of Religion with Larry Iannaccone 10/9/2006EconTalk
Created: 6/17/2026, 10:31:34 AM

My Notes

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