Mathematics self-confidence and the "prepayment effect" in riskless choices

Xue, Lian, Sitzia, Stefania and Turocy, Theodore L. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2265-844X (2017) Mathematics self-confidence and the "prepayment effect" in riskless choices. Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, 135. 239–250. ISSN 0167-2681

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Abstract

We extend the analysis of a riskless choice experiment reported recently by Hochman et al. (2014). Participants select from among sets of standard playing cards valued by a simple formula. In some sessions, participants are given a prepayment associated with some of the cards, which need not be the earnings-maximizing ones. Hochman et al. find that participants choose an earnings-maximizing card less frequently when another card is prepaid. We replicate this result under the original instructions, but not with instructions which explain the payment process more explicitly. Participants who state they do not consider themselves good at mathematics make earnings-maximizing choices much less frequently overall, but those who express self-confidence in mathematics drive the treatment effect. The results suggest that even when comparisons among choices require only simple quantitative reasoning steps, market designers and regulators may need to pay close attention to how the terms of offers are expressed, explained, and implemented.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	loss aversion,prepayment,replication,mathematics self-confidence
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Social Sciences > School of Economics
UEA Research Groups:	Faculty of Social Sciences > Research Centres > Centre for Behavioural and Experimental Social Sciences Faculty of Social Sciences > Research Groups > Behavioural Economics Faculty of Social Sciences > Research Groups > Environment, Resources and Conflict Faculty of Social Sciences > Research Groups > Economic Theory Faculty of Social Sciences > Research Groups > Experimental Economics (former - to 2017) Faculty of Social Sciences > Research Centres > Centre for Competition Policy
Depositing User:	Pure Connector
Date Deposited:	31 Jan 2017 02:17
Last Modified:	14 Jun 2023 12:51
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/62233
DOI:	10.1016/j.jebo.2017.01.014

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