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University students, economics education, and self-interest. A systematic literature review

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  • Miragaya-Casillas, Cristina
  • Aguayo-Estremera, Raimundo
  • Ruiz-Villaverde, Alberto

Abstract

There is an open debate in academia about whether economics students behave in a more self-interested manner than non-economics students. This debate is based on the assumption that economics students are exposed to the study of standard economic models. These models begin with a representative agent, the homo œconomicus, which is a rational optimizer that serves to satisfy their own self-interest. A systematic review was conducted to enhance this debate. Empirical studies that tested the existence of behavioral and/or attitudinal differences related to self-interest among university economics and non-economics students were included. The results provide evidence that economics students are more self-interested than non-economics students. This review has allowed us to highlight the limitations of the pre-existing scientific papers published to date. Primarily, the majority of studies have used cross-sectional data, and it is advisable to carry out more studies with longitudinal data.

Suggested Citation

  • Miragaya-Casillas, Cristina & Aguayo-Estremera, Raimundo & Ruiz-Villaverde, Alberto, 2023. "University students, economics education, and self-interest. A systematic literature review," International Review of Economics Education, Elsevier, vol. 43(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ireced:v:43:y:2023:i:c:s1477388023000075
    DOI: 10.1016/j.iree.2023.100266
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