nep-neu New Economics Papers
on Neuroeconomics
Issue of 2024–01–15
three papers chosen by
Daniel Houser, George Mason University


  1. Self-control and Performance while Working from Home By Julia Baumann; Anastasia Danilov; Olga Stavrova
  2. Do emotions affect strategic sophistication? By Gonzo Damian Antonio
  3. Self‐control is negatively linked to prosociality in young children By Gladys Barragan-Jason; Astrid Hopfensitz

  1. By: Julia Baumann (Wirtschaftszentrum Berlin für Sozialforschung); Anastasia Danilov (HU Berlin); Olga Stavrova (Universität Lübeck)
    Abstract: This study explores the role of trait self-control in individuals’ changes in performance and well-being when working from home (WFH). In a three-wave longitudinal study with UK workers in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, we find that low self-control workers experienced a significant positive adjustment to WFH over time: The number of reported work distractions decreased, and self-assessed performance increased over the period of four months. In contrast, high self-control individuals did not show a similar upward trajectory. Despite the positive adjustment of low self-control individuals over time, on average, self-control was still positively associated with performance and negatively associated with work distractions. However, trait self-control was not consistently associated with changes in well-being. These findings provide a more nuanced view on trait self-control, suggesting that low self-control individuals can improve initial performance over time when working from home.
    Keywords: self-control; working from home; productivity;
    Date: 2023–12–18
    URL: https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:rco:dpaper:486
  2. By: Gonzo Damian Antonio
    Abstract: Anger is a negative emotion commonly experienced by all human beings, and it has proven effects on human cognition. Research in this field has shown that cognitive abilities diminish in angry individuals, a phenomenon referred to as "the depth of thought effect." This paper establishes a causal relationship between anger and the strategic sophistication of subjects in a laboratory setting. The experimental design involves an emotion-induction treatment and a beauty contest to measure the strategic sophistication of participants. Treated subjects report higher levels of anger and choose significantly higher numbers in the game, indicating a negative effect of anger on strategic sophistication.
    JEL: D1
    Date: 2023–11
    URL: https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:aep:anales:4658
  3. By: Gladys Barragan-Jason; Astrid Hopfensitz (EM - emlyon business school)
    Abstract: "Human prosociality is a valuable but also deeply puzzling trait. While several studies suggest that prosociality is an impulsive behavior, others argue that self-control is necessary to develop prosocial behaviors. Yet, prosociality and self-control in children have rarely been studied jointly. Here, we measured self-control (i.e., delay-of-gratification) and prosociality (i.e., giving in a dictator game) in 250 4- to 6-year-old French schoolchildren. Contrary to previous studies, we found a negative relationship between waiting in the delay-of-gratification task and giving in the dictator game. The effect was especially pronounced when the partner in the dictator game was unknown compared with giving in a dictator game where the partner was a friend. Our results suggest that self-control is not always necessary to act prosocially. Future studies investigating whether and how such pattern develops across the lifespan and across cultures are warranted."
    Keywords: self control, sharing, children, dictator game
    Date: 2023–10–01
    URL: https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:journl:hal-04325644

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