“Even a donation one time in your live will help…”: The effect of the legitimizing paltry contribution technique on blood donation

Previous research has found that the statement “Even a penny will help” incorporated in charity donation requests increases compliance. The present study analyzed the effectiveness of this technique using a novel solicitation and an intermediate delay between the statement and the actual execution of the requested act. University students were solicited to give blood during a special one-day drive. Solicitations were made through face-to-face interactions. Solicitors wore a tee-shirt on which the statement “Even a donation one time in your live will help…” was either present or not. Results show that more participants gave their blood when this statement appeared on the tee-shirt.