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on Experimental Economics |
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Issue of 2023‒11‒06
28 papers chosen by |
| By: | Jantsje M. Mol (University of Amsterdam); Ivan Soraperra (Max Planck Institute for Human Development); Joël J. van der Weele (University of Amsterdam) |
| Abstract: | Information about the consequences of our consumption choices can be unwelcome, and people sometimes avoid it. We investigate a situation where one person possesses information that is inconvenient for another, and study why and when they decide to transmit that information. We introduce a simple and portable experimental game to analyze transmission of inconvenient information. In this game, a Sender can inform a Receiver at a small cost about a negative externality associated with a tempting and profitable action for the Receiver. The results from our online experiment (N = 1, 512) show that Senders transmit more information for large negative externalities. Sender’s decisions are largely driven by their own preferences for information. However, some Senders take the Receiver’s feelings into account, by transmitting evidence of positive externalities or by suppressing negative information upon the Receiver’s request. Understanding the decision to share inconvenient information matters, as it will affect the personal and political will to address important externalities and can inform strategies to encourage the transmission of inconvenient information within organizations. |
| Keywords: | willful ignorance, information avoidance, unethical behavior, lab experiment |
| JEL: | B41 C91 C93 |
| Date: | 2023–10–12 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:tin:wpaper:20230062&r=exp |
| By: | Fischer, Mira (WZB - Social Science Research Center Berlin); Grewenig, Elisabeth (Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW), Germany); Lergetporer, Philipp (Technical University of Munich); Werner, Katharina (Ifo Institute for Economic Research); Zeidler, Helen (Technical University of Munich) |
| Abstract: | Randomized experiments are often viewed as the "gold standard" of scientific evidence, but people's scepticism towards experiments has compromised their viability in the past. We study preferences for experimental policy evaluations in a representative survey in Germany (N>1, 900). We find that a majority of 75% supports the idea of small-scale evaluations of policies before enacting them at a large scale. Experimentally varying whether the evaluations are explicitly described as "experiments" has a precisely estimated overall zero effect on public support. Our results indicate political leeway for experimental policy evaluation, a practice that is still uncommon in Germany. |
| Keywords: | experiment aversion, policy experimentation, education |
| JEL: | I28 H40 C93 |
| Date: | 2023–10 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:iza:izadps:dp16511&r=exp |
| By: | Changxia Ke; Florian Morath; Sophia Seelos |
| Abstract: | This paper investigates whether distributional conflicts become more likely when groups are involved in the fight. We present results from a laboratory experiment in which two parties can appropriate resources via a contest or, alternatively, take an outside option. Keeping monetary gains expected from fighting constant across all treatments, the experiment compares conflict choices of players in two-against-two, one-against-one, and two-against-one settings. Overall, we find evidence for a higher propensity to opt for conflict when entering the fight in a group than when having to fight as a single player. The effects are strongest in endogenously maintained groups and in the presence of group size advantages (i.e., in two-against-one). The results can be explained by a stronger non-monetary utility from fighting in (endogenous) groups and coincide with a biased perception of the fighting strength in asymmetric conflict. |
| Keywords: | Conflict, contest, conflict resolution, group decision-making, group identity, alliance, experiment |
| JEL: | C92 D70 D72 D74 D91 |
| Date: | 2023 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:inn:wpaper:2023-16&r=exp |
| By: | Charness, Gary (University of California, Santa Barbara); Le Bihan, Yves (Institut Français du Leadership Positif); Villeval, Marie Claire (CNRS, GATE) |
| Abstract: | Improving cognitive function and reducing stress may yield important benefits to individuals' health and to society. We conduct an experiment involving a three-month within-firm training program based on the principles of mindfulness and positive psychology at three large companies. We find an improvement in the difference-in-differences across the training and control groups in all five non-incentivized measures and in seven of the eight incentivized tasks but only the non-incentivized measures and one of the incentivized measures reached a standard level of significance (above 5%), showing strong evidence of its impact on both reducing perceived stress and increasing self-reported cognitive flexibility and mindfulness. At the aggregate level, we identify an average treatment effect on the treated for the non-incentivized measures and some effect for the incentivized measures. Remarkably, the treatment effects persisted three months after the training sessions ended. Overall, mindfulness training seems to provide benefits for psychological and cognitive health in adults. |
| Keywords: | mindfulness, attention, cognition, stress, lab-in-the-field experiment |
| JEL: | C91 I12 |
| Date: | 2023–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:iza:izadps:dp16457&r=exp |
| By: | Azzolini, Davide (FBK-IRVAPP); Bazzoli, Martina (FBK-IRVAPP); Burlacu, Sergiu (FBK-IRVAPP); Rettore, Enrico (University of Padova) |
| Abstract: | We conducted a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the impact of a summer learning program for vulnerable students across ten cities in Italy (N=1, 038). The program had two components: educational workshops in small groups (88 hours) and personalized tutoring (12 hours). Results indicate significant improvements in reading comprehension and marginally in grammar. Improvements in arithmetic and geometry are smaller albeit significant when aggregated into a single mathematics score. Effects were most pronounced among primary school students and among students with special needs or from vulnerable environments. The program compensated for summer learning loss, as treatment group students returned to school in September with higher learning levels than before the summer, while the control group experienced learning setbacks, predominantly in mathematics. While the study clearly shows that students start the new year with a higher level of competencies, it does not definitively establish the lasting impact of these effects. An explorative analysis of noncognitive skills provides conflicting insights: an increase in students' interest in acquiring new competencies suggests potential enduring effects, but the emergence of dissatisfaction with traditional school activities and heightened school-related stress raises concerns about reduced engagement with conventional schooling. |
| Keywords: | summer learning loss, achievement gap, field experiment, metropolitan suburbs |
| JEL: | I24 |
| Date: | 2023–10 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:iza:izadps:dp16498&r=exp |
| By: | Eissa, Yasmine; Rosmer, Paul; Yap, Luther |
| Abstract: | Ngangoué and Schotter (2023) investigate common-probability auctions. By running an experiment, they find that, in contrast to the substantial overbidding found in common-value auctions, bidding in strategically equivalent common-probability auctions is consistent with the Nash equilibrium. We reproduce their results in R, conduct robustness checks on how their sample was constructed, and consider possible heterogeneity. We confirm their documented qualitative results. |
| Date: | 2023 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:i4rdps:74&r=exp |
| By: | Susan Athey; Niall Keleher; Jann Spiess |
| Abstract: | In many settings, interventions may be more effective for some individuals than others, so that targeting interventions may be beneficial. We analyze the value of targeting in the context of a large-scale field experiment with over 53, 000 college students, where the goal was to use "nudges" to encourage students to renew their financial-aid applications before a non-binding deadline. We begin with baseline approaches to targeting. First, we target based on a causal forest that estimates heterogeneous treatment effects and then assigns students to treatment according to those estimated to have the highest treatment effects. Next, we evaluate two alternative targeting policies, one targeting students with low predicted probability of renewing financial aid in the absence of the treatment, the other targeting those with high probability. The predicted baseline outcome is not the ideal criterion for targeting, nor is it a priori clear whether to prioritize low, high, or intermediate predicted probability. Nonetheless, targeting on low baseline outcomes is common in practice, for example because the relationship between individual characteristics and treatment effects is often difficult or impossible to estimate with historical data. We propose hybrid approaches that incorporate the strengths of both predictive approaches (accurate estimation) and causal approaches (correct criterion); we show that targeting intermediate baseline outcomes is most effective, while targeting based on low baseline outcomes is detrimental. In one year of the experiment, nudging all students improved early filing by an average of 6.4 percentage points over a baseline average of 37% filing, and we estimate that targeting half of the students using our preferred policy attains around 75% of this benefit. |
| Date: | 2023–10 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:arx:papers:2310.08672&r=exp |
| By: | Blimpo, Moussa P.; Pugatch, Todd |
| Abstract: | The persistently high employment share of the informal sector makes entrepreneurship a necessity for youth in many developing countries. We exploit exogenous variation in the implementation of Rwanda's entrepreneurship education reform in secondary schools to evaluate its effect on student economic outcomes up to three years after graduation. Using a randomized controlled trial, we evaluated a three-year intensive training for entrepreneurship teachers, finding pedagogical changes as intended and increased entrepreneurial activity among students. In this paper, we tracked students following graduation and found that increased entrepreneurship persisted one year later, in 2019. Students from treated schools were six percentage points more likely to be entrepreneurs, an increase of 19 percent over the control mean. However, gains in entrepreneurship faded after three years, in 2021. Employment was six percentage points lower in the treatment group. By some measures, income and profits were lower in the treatment group, with no robust differences in these outcomes overall. Lower incomes and profits were concentrated among marginal students induced into entrepreneurship by the program. Youth entrepreneurship programs may therefore steer some participants away from their comparative advantage. Nonetheless, the program increased university enrollment, suggesting the potential for higher long run returns. |
| Keywords: | entrepreneurship education, youth employment, secondary school, pedagogy, randomized controlled trials, Rwanda |
| JEL: | I25 I26 I28 J24 O12 O15 |
| Date: | 2023 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:glodps:1332&r=exp |
| By: | Martín Leites (Universidad de la República (Uruguay). Facultad de Ciencias Económicas y de Administración. Instituto de Economía); Analía Rivero (Universidad de la República (Uruguay). Facultad de Ciencias Económicas y de Administración. Instituto de Economía); Gonzalo Salas (Universidad de la República (Uruguay). Facultad de Ciencias Económicas y de Administración. Instituto de Economía) |
| Abstract: | We conducted a survey-experimental on a sample of Uruguayan youth to understand what goods are positional, the degree of positional concern, and possible explanations for them. The individual’s degree of positional concern was assessed by asking participants to make a series of choices between hypothetical societies characterized by varying absolute and relative income and consumption levels. We use randomized information treatments to prime participants into competing narratives regarding (i) the goods, (ii) gender, and (iii) sources of inequality in society. The main findings are: (1) the visibility of the goods would not be a necessary condition for their positionality: jewelry, cars, and health insurance are positional goods and; (2) relative income matters; (3) the positional concern is heterogeneous at the individuals level with a bimodal distribution: one group of individuals has a high prevalence of relative concern, while the other is positional-neutral; (4) there are no differences by gender in any case; and (5) individuals are less likely to report positional concerns when differences in income come from effort and inheritance. |
| Keywords: | positional goods, questionnaire-experiments, visibility, meritocracy |
| JEL: | D63 D64 D81 C13 C91 |
| Date: | 2023–05 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ulr:wpaper:dt-04-23&r=exp |
| By: | Desiere, Sam (Ghent University); Walter, Christian (Ghent University) |
| Abstract: | Shift work is a widespread but understudied phenomenon. This paper examines one specific aspect of shift work: the shift premium. To this end, we included a discrete choice experiment in an online survey targeted at night and shift workers. Respondents chose between a standard 9 am - 5 pm job paying €15 per hour and a job with shift work in which the wage randomly varied between €12 and €20. The results show that respondents demand sizeable shift premiums to prefer shift over daytime work, with higher premiums for more onerous working hours such as night shifts or rotating shifts. We observe substantial heterogeneity in the shift premium across respondents and provide suggestive evidence of labour market sorting. |
| Keywords: | shift work, shift premium, Willingness to Pay, discrete choice experiment |
| JEL: | C91 J31 J48 |
| Date: | 2023–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:iza:izadps:dp16460&r=exp |
| By: | Fengyang Lin (Cornell Bowers CIS, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853); Cristobal Cheyre (Cornell Bowers CIS, Cornell University, Gates Hall 210, Ithaca, NY 14853); Alessandro Acquisti (Heinz College, Carnegie Mellon University, 5000 Forbes Ave, HBH 2105C, Pittsburgh, PA 15213) |
| Abstract: | Concerns regarding online tracking and excessive advertising have led to a marked increase in the adoption of Ad-Blocking tools. We conduct a field experiment to study users’ valuation of Ad-Blockers, and to study how exposing or shielding users from online advertising influences their online experiences, their attitudes towards online advertising, their valuation of ad-blocking tools, and their future usage of such tools. We find that for users currently using an ad-blocker, uninstalling them leads to a deterioration in their online experiences and lower satisfaction with recent purchases. For users that were not using Ad-Blockers, installing one led to fewer reported regrets with purchases, an improvement in subjective well-being, and a less positive view of online advertising. In terms of users’ valuation of Ad-Blockers, we observe a great degree of heterogeneity. Some users are not willing to uninstall their Ad-Blocker even if offered large payments (>$100). Conversely, a similar number of users are not willing to install an Ad-Blocker even if offered large payments. However, most users are willing to install/uninstall an Ad-Blocker in exchange for moderate payments ( |
| Keywords: | Online Advertising; Ad-Blockers |
| JEL: | D12 I31 L82 L86 M37 |
| Date: | 2023–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:net:wpaper:2305&r=exp |
| By: | Beloborodova, Anna |
| Abstract: | How polarized is Russian society regarding the war in Ukraine? Political views have an impact on various behaviors, including relationship formation. In this paper I study the extent of polarization in the Russian society regrading the war in Ukraine by conducting a field experiment on a large Russian dating site and collecting data on more than 3, 000 profile evaluations. The findings reveal sizable penalties for those who express pro-war or anti-war positions on their dating profiles, suggesting considerable levels of polarization in the Russian society regarding the war. Age of the online dating site users is the most divisive factor, as younger individuals are less likely to approach pro-war profiles but not anti-war profiles, while older individuals are less likely to respond positively to profiles indicating anti-war views but not pro-war views. |
| Keywords: | affective polarization; relationship formation; assortative mating; field experiment; war in Ukraine |
| JEL: | C93 D1 J12 |
| Date: | 2023–10–13 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:118862&r=exp |
| By: | Siuda, Fabian; Zörner, Thomas |
| Abstract: | Vaccinations are very effective in reducing the risk of infection on an individual level and thereby also reduce the risk of subsequently infecting others. This vaccination spillover effect reduces health related transaction costs in economic interactions and increases both consumer and producer surplus. In this paper, we quantify the valuation for vaccination spillovers for close contact services in an experimental setting. To generate a comprehensible scenario, we exploit the substitutability of testing for the disease and vaccination spillovers for infection risk reduction. We elicit individuals' willingness to pay (WTP) for testing and randomize the vaccination status of the service provider. The spillover effect of the service provider's vaccination is equivalent to 69% of the full infection risk reduction via testing. We demonstrate that higher levels of disease specific risk aversion increase both the WTP for testing and the vaccination spillover effect in levels, resulting in a constant relative vaccination spillover effect. |
| Keywords: | vaccinations; vaccination spillover; transaction costs; infection risk; randomized experiment |
| Date: | 2023–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wiw:wus005:46225208&r=exp |
| By: | Fabian Siuda (Department of Economics, Vienna University of Economics and Business); Thomas O. Zörner (Oesterreichische Nationalbank) |
| Abstract: | Vaccinations are very effective in reducing the risk of infection on an individual level and thereby also reduce the risk of subsequently infecting others. This vaccination spillover effect reduces health related transaction costs in economic interactions and increases both consumer and producer surplus. In this paper, we quantify the valuation for vaccination spillovers for close contact services in an experimental setting. To generate a comprehensible scenario, we exploit the substitutability of testing for the disease and vaccination spillovers for infection risk reduction. We elicit individuals' willingness to pay (WTP) for testing and randomize the vaccination status of the service provider. The spillover effect of the service provider's vaccination is equivalent to 69% of the full infection risk reduction via testing. We demonstrate that higher levels of disease specific risk aversion increase both the WTP for testing and the vaccination spillover effect in levels, resulting in a constant relative vaccination spillover effect. |
| Keywords: | vaccinations, vaccination spillover, transaction costs, infection risk, randomized experiment |
| JEL: | I10 I12 D10 J20 |
| Date: | 2023–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wiw:wiwwuw:wuwp347&r=exp |
| By: | Ardanaz, Martín; Otálvaro-Ramírez, Susana; Scartascini, Carlos |
| Abstract: | Participatory programs can reduce the informational and power asymmetries that engender mistrust. These programs, however, cannot include every citizen. Hence, it is important to evaluate not only if they affect allocations and trust among those who participate, but also if they could also affect trust among those who do not participate. We assess the effect of an informational campaign about these programs in the context of a survey experiment conducted in the city of Buenos Aires, Argentina. Results show that providing detailed information about a participatory budget initiative shapes voters' assessments of government performance and political trust. Effects are larger for individuals with ex ante more negative views about the local governments quality and for individuals who believe in the ability of their communities to solve the type of collective-action problems that the program seeks to address. Because mistrustful individuals tend to shy away from demanding the government public goods that increase overall welfare, well-disseminated participatory budget programs could affect budget allocations directly and through their effect on trust. Investing in these programs could be worthwhile. |
| Keywords: | Participatory governance;Collective decision-making;Trust;Survey experiment;Local governments |
| JEL: | C90 D70 D90 H72 P16 |
| Date: | 2022–06 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:idb:brikps:12256&r=exp |
| By: | Detemple, Julian (Goethe University Frankfurt); Kosfeld, Michael (Goethe University Frankfurt) |
| Abstract: | A key solution for public good provision is the voluntary formation of institutions that commit players to cooperate. Such institutions generate inequality if some players decide not to participate but cannot be excluded from cooperation benefits. Prior research with small groups emphasizes the role of fairness concerns with positive effects on cooperation. We show that effects do not generalize to larger groups: if group size increases, groups are less willing to form institutions generating inequality. In contrast to smaller groups, however, this does not increase the number of participating players, thereby limiting the positive impact of institution formation on cooperation. |
| Keywords: | institution formation, group size, social dilemma, social preferences |
| JEL: | C92 D02 D63 H41 |
| Date: | 2023–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:iza:izadps:dp16464&r=exp |
| By: | Douadia Bougherara (CEE-M - Centre d'Economie de l'Environnement - Montpellier - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique - INRAE - Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement - Institut Agro Montpellier - Institut Agro - Institut national d'enseignement supérieur pour l'agriculture, l'alimentation et l'environnement - UM - Université de Montpellier); Lea Gosset (UMR MoISA - Montpellier Interdisciplinary center on Sustainable Agri-food systems (Social and nutritional sciences) - Cirad - Centre de Coopération Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement - IRD - Institut de Recherche pour le Développement - CIHEAM-IAMM - Centre International de Hautes Etudes Agronomiques Méditerranéennes - Institut Agronomique Méditerranéen de Montpellier - CIHEAM - Centre International de Hautes Études Agronomiques Méditerranéennes - INRAE - Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement - Institut Agro Montpellier - Institut Agro - Institut national d'enseignement supérieur pour l'agriculture, l'alimentation et l'environnement); Raphaële Préget (CEE-M - Centre d'Economie de l'Environnement - Montpellier - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique - INRAE - Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement - Institut Agro Montpellier - Institut Agro - Institut national d'enseignement supérieur pour l'agriculture, l'alimentation et l'environnement - UM - Université de Montpellier); Sophie Thoyer (CEE-M - Centre d'Economie de l'Environnement - Montpellier - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique - INRAE - Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement - Institut Agro Montpellier - Institut Agro - Institut national d'enseignement supérieur pour l'agriculture, l'alimentation et l'environnement - UM - Université de Montpellier) |
| Abstract: | This article is an empirical contribution on measuring farmers' ability to innovate, and on the effectiveness of a nudge-type non-monetary incentive on their (stated) intention to adopt an innovation such as the French "Label bas carbone", a voluntary scheme that certifies carbon credits. We propose an original methodology for measuring farmers' capacity to innovate ("innovativeness"), adapting the scale of Goldsmith and Hofacker (1991) to the specificities of farmers' decisions in a professional setting. Based on an online survey with more than 6, 000 responses from French farmers, we validate this scale and evaluate with a randomized experiment included in the questionnaire the net impact of a priming nudge targeting the most innovative farmers. The results indicate that the nudge tested has no significant or detectable impact on the surveyed sample, leading us to discuss the effectiveness of nudges when trying to influence high-stakes decisions. |
| Keywords: | Innovation, Carbon farming, Nudge, Behaviour, Experiment, Innovation -Carbon farming -Nudge -Behaviour -Experiment |
| Date: | 2023–08–29 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:journl:hal-04227775&r=exp |
| By: | Miehe, Caroline; Sparrow, Robert; Spielman, David; Van Campenhout, Bjorn |
| Abstract: | Recently, issues related to the (perceived) quality of inputs and technologies have been proposed as an important constraint to their adoption by smallholder farmers in low income countries. Taking maize seed embodying genetic gain as a case, we train random agro-dealers to test whether under-adoption by farmers is caused by low quality due to sellers' lack of knowledge about proper storage and handling. In a second hypothesis, we randomly introduce an information clearinghouse similar to popular crowd-sourced review platforms such as yelp.com or trustpilot.com to test whether information asymmetries crowd out quality seed. We find that the information clearinghouse treatment improves outcomes for both agro-dealers and farmers, with agro-dealers receiving more customers and reporting higher revenues from maize seed sales, and farmers reporting significantly higher use of improved maize seed varieties obtained from agro-dealers, leading to higher maize productivity after two seasons. The primary mechanisms behind this impact appear to be an increased effort to signal quality by agro-dealers and a general restoration of trust in the market for improved seed. The agro-dealer training does not have a clear impact on agro-dealers, nor on farmers in associated catchment areas. However, we do find that the information clearinghouse increases agro-dealer knowledge about proper seed storage and handling. Upon exploring interaction effects between the training and the clearinghouse treatment, we also find that the training becomes effective for agro-dealers that are also in the clearinghouse treatment group. This underscores the importance of incentives to make supply side interventions such as trainings effective. |
| Keywords: | UGANDA; EAST AFRICA; AFRICA SOUTH OF SAHARA; AFRICA; agricultural technology; technology adoption; farm inputs; knowledge; information transfer; information infrastructure; smallholders; agro-dealers; information clearinghouse |
| Date: | 2023 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:fpr:ifprid:2198&r=exp |
| By: | Zanoni, Wladimir; Acevedo, Paloma; Hernández, Hugo |
| Abstract: | We conducted a paired correspondence experiment in Buenos Aires, Argentina, to measure the extent of labor market discrimination in hiring against slum dwellers. We sent 4, 290 online pairs of fictitious job applications of otherwise observationally equivalent individuals who differed in a single attribute: place of residence, either a slum or not. We found that job applicants living in slums received nearly 28 percent fewer callbacks than other applicants. We observe discrimination across jobs that require a university degree, with discrimination being concentrated in administrative and software-related occupations. We observed discrimination against both men and women living in slums. Discrimination also varied by occupation. Discrimination against slum dwellers is an invisible barrier that affects their employment probability, ultimately reducing their likelihood of graduating from poverty. |
| Keywords: | Correspondence study, discrimination |
| JEL: | O10 O18 O54 J71 J78 J15 |
| Date: | 2022–04 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:idb:brikps:12122&r=exp |
| By: | Belguise, Margot; Huang, Yuchen; Mo, Zhexun |
| Abstract: | Recent empirical evidence contends that meritocratic ideals are mainly a Western phenomenon. Intriguingly, the Chinese people appear to not differentiate between merit- and luck-based inequalities, despite their rich historical legacy of meritocratic institutions. We propose that this phenomenon might be due to the Chinese public’s greater adherence towards the status quo. In order to test this hypothesis, we run an incentivized redistribution experiment with elite university students in China and France, by varying the initial split of payoffs between two real-life workers to redistribute from. We show that Chinese respondents consistently and significantly choose more non-redistribution (playing the status quo) across both highly unequal and relatively equal status quo scenarios than our French respondents. Additionally, we also show that the Chinese sample does differentiate between merit- and luck-based inequalities, and does not redistribute less than the French absent status quo conformity. Ultimately, we contend that such a phenomenon is indicative of low political agency rather than apathy, inattention, or libertarian beliefs among the Chinese. Notably, our findings show that Chinese individuals’ conformity to the status quo is particularly pronounced among those from families of working-class and farming backgrounds, while it is conspicuously absent among individuals whose families have closer ties to the private sector. |
| Keywords: | Meritocracy, Fairness Preferences, Spectator Games, China-France Comparison, Beliefs, Redistribution, Status quo Bias, Market Economy in China |
| Date: | 2023–10 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cpm:docweb:2308&r=exp |
| By: | Clifford, Scott; Rainey, Carlisle |
| Abstract: | This research note examines the generalizability of single-topic studies, focusing on how often their confidence intervals capture the typical treatment effect from a larger population of possible studies. We show that the confidence intervals from these single-topic studies capture the typical effect from a population of topics at well below the nominal rate. For a representative scenario, the confidence interval from a single-topic study might only be half as wide as an interval that captures the typical effect at the nominal rate. We highlight two important conclusions. First, we emphasize that researchers and readers must take care when generalizing the inferences from single-topic studies to a larger population of possible studies. Second, we demonstrate the critical importance of similarity across topics in drawing inferences and encourage researchers to consider designs that explicitly estimate and leverage similarity. |
| Date: | 2023–10–10 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:osf:socarx:zaykd&r=exp |
| By: | Hajdu, Gergely; Krusper, Balázs |
| Abstract: | Consumers are constantly exposed to new information that compels them to update their beliefs about products, thereby influencing future buying and selling decisions. This process does not simply stop with a product choice. We study how choosing a product affects learning about products in the choice set after the choice has been made. We design an experiment, where we have control over the objective ranking of the options in the choice set. Specifically, participants learn about the fundamental quality of financial investments by observing price changes in multiple rounds. Participants either choose some of the investments themselves (Choice condition) or have some of the investments assigned to them (Allocation condition). We find that learning is stickier after making a choice: participants respond less to price changes in the Choice condition than in the Allocation condition. This result holds for both own and non-owned investments and for both good news and bad news. The effect is unlikely to be driven by attention: we find no difference between the conditions in the amount of attention paid to the investments. We estimate a structural model and show that learning aligns closely with the Bayesian benchmark after exogenous product allocation, while it is too sticky after making a choice. Our model characterizes sticky learning in a tractable way that is easily portable, making it simple to analyze its consequences in other contexts. |
| Keywords: | biased beliefs; attention; sticky learning; choice effect |
| Date: | 2023–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wiw:wus005:46226535&r=exp |
| By: | Liu, Yu-li; Song, Chuling; Huang, Dongpeng; Liu, Sunny Xun; Li, Zhuoyang; Hu, Bo |
| Abstract: | Chatbots have been increasingly used to provide emotional support to people who are under stress. Based on the Computers Are Social Actors (CASA) paradigm, this study investigates how the identity cues (human vs. chatbot) and emoji usage influence the effect of using chatbots to obtain emotional support among Hong Kong people. Through a 2*2 online experiment with 494 valid participants, the results showed that the interaction between emoji use and identity cues significantly affected the social presence. Only in the condition of human cues, using emojis in the message could significantly increase social presence, which enhanced participants' perceived warmth and perceived competence with regards to the communication partner. Moreover, these social perceptions could further increase perceived emotional support when human identity cues were present. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed. |
| Keywords: | chatbots, emotional support, identity cues, emojis, social presence, CASA paradigm |
| Date: | 2023 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:itse23:277999&r=exp |
| By: | Kiss, Andrea (Carnegie Mellon University); Garlick, Robert (Duke University); Orkin, Kate (University of Oxford); Hensel, Lukas (Peking University) |
| Abstract: | Worker sorting into tasks and occupations has long been recognized as an important feature of labor markets. But this sorting may be inefficient if jobseekers have inaccurate beliefs about their skills and therefore apply to jobs that do not match their skills. To test this idea, we measure young South African jobseekers' communication and numeracy skills and their beliefs about their skill levels. Many jobseekers believe they are better at the skill in which they score lower, relative to other jobseekers. These beliefs predict the skill requirements of jobs where they apply. In two field experiments, giving jobseekers their skill assessment results shifts their beliefs toward their assessment results. It also redirects their search toward jobs that value the skill in which they score relatively higher – using measures from administrative, incentivized task, and survey data – but does not increase total search effort. It also raises earnings and job quality, consistent with inefficient sorting due to limited information. |
| Keywords: | search frictions, information frictions, occupational choice |
| JEL: | J22 J24 J31 J64 O15 |
| Date: | 2023–10 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:iza:izadps:dp16522&r=exp |
| By: | Duarte, Belmiro P.M.; Atkinson, Anthony C.; Oliveira, Nuno M.C |
| Abstract: | Dose escalation trials are crucial in the development of new pharmaceutical products to optimize the amount of drug administered while avoiding undesirable side effects. We adopt the framework established by Bailey (2009) where the individuals are grouped into cohorts, to the subjects in which the placebo or previously defined doses are administered and responses measured. Successive cohorts allow testing higher doses of drug if negative responses have not been observed in earlier cohorts.We propose Mixed Integer Nonlinear Programming formulations for systematically computing optimal experimental designs for dose escalation.We demonstrate its application with i. different optimality criteria; ii. standard and extended designs; and iii. non-constrained (or traditional), strict halving and uniform halving designs. Additionally, we address the allocation of the individuals in a cohort considering previously known prognostic factors. To handle the problem we propose i. an enumerative algorithm; and ii. a Mixed Integer Nonlinear Programming formulation.We demonstrate the application of the enumeration scheme for allocating individuals on an individual arrival basis, and of the latter formulation for allocation on a within cohort basis. |
| Keywords: | dose escalation experiments; cohorts; first-in-human trials; optimal allocation; prognostic factors |
| JEL: | C1 |
| Date: | 2022–10–10 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ehl:lserod:116678&r=exp |
| By: | Zexuan Wang (CREM - Centre de recherche en économie et management - UNICAEN - Université de Caen Normandie - NU - Normandie Université - UR - Université de Rennes - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique); Ismaël Rafaï (GREDEG - Groupe de Recherche en Droit, Economie et Gestion - UNS - Université Nice Sophia Antipolis (1965 - 2019) - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique - UCA - Université Côte d'Azur); Marc Willinger (CEE-M - Centre d'Economie de l'Environnement - Montpellier - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique - INRAE - Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement - Institut Agro Montpellier - Institut Agro - Institut national d'enseignement supérieur pour l'agriculture, l'alimentation et l'environnement - UM - Université de Montpellier) |
| Abstract: | We examine the links between age, risk tolerance, and impatience in a large French representative sample. We combine elicited preferences data based on an incentivized web experiment and stated preferences data based on self-reported surveys. Our findings highlight distinct patterns: when considering stated preferences, both risk tolerance and impatience exhibit a decline with age. Higher risk tolerance is associated with higher impatience, and this relationship strengthens with age in the financial domain. In contrast, our analysis of elicited measures uncovers a different dynamic. Specifically, risk tolerance tends to increase with age, while age exhibits no significant influence on impatience. Furthermore, individuals endowed with higher risk tolerance tend to demonstrate lower levels of impatience, irrespective of their age. |
| Keywords: | age, elicited preferences, risk preferences, stated preferences, time preferences |
| Date: | 2023 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:journl:hal-04217414&r=exp |
| By: | Amanda Y. Agan; Andrew Garin; Dmitri K. Koustas; Alexandre Mas; Crystal Yang |
| Abstract: | We study the labor market impacts of retroactively reducing felonies to misdemeanors in San Joaquin County, CA, where criminal justice agencies implemented Proposition 47 reductions in a quasi-random order, without requiring input or action from affected individuals. Linking records of reductions to administrative tax data, we find employment benefits for individuals who (likely) requested their reduction, consistent with selection, but no benefits among the larger subset of individuals whose records were reduced proactively. A field experiment notifying a subset of individuals about their proactive reduction also shows null results, implying that lack of awareness is unlikely to explain our findings. |
| JEL: | J0 K0 |
| Date: | 2023–10 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:nbr:nberwo:31773&r=exp |
| By: | Näslund-Hadley, Emma; Hernández Agramonte, Juan Manuel; Albertos, Carmen; Grigera, Ana; Hobbs, Cynthia; Álvarez Marinelli, Horacio |
| Abstract: | The aim of this article is to provide rigorous at scale experimental evidence on the effectiveness of an ethnomathematics education program. This article describes and evaluates the impact of JADENKA (pronounced Ha-den-go), an intercultural bilingual mathematics program designed to increase the mathematical and ethnomathematical skills of the Ngabe preschoolers, within the comarca Ngabe-Buglé in Panama. To our knowledge, this is the first study to evaluate the effectiveness of an ethnomathematics intervention in preschool education through an RCT. The program was designed by a team of experts in early mathematics pedagogy, Ngabe mathematics and language, Interactive Radio Instruction (IRI) methodology , as well as Ngabe actors and singers. Our results indicate positive effects of the program on the mathematical and ethnomathematical skills of students. The magnitude of the impact on mathematics (0.12-0.18 s.d.) is comparable to other bilingual and intercultural bilingual education preschool mathematics programs implemented in low- and middle-income countries. |
| Keywords: | Ethnomathematics;Intercultural Bilingual Education |
| JEL: | C21 I24 J15 |
| Date: | 2022–04 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:idb:brikps:12093&r=exp |