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Consistency in simple vs. complex choices by younger and older adults

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  • Brocas, Isabelle
  • Carrillo, Juan D.
  • Combs, T. Dalton
  • Kodaverdian, Niree

Abstract

Employing a variant of GARP, we study consistency in aging by comparing the choices of younger adults (YA) and older adults (OA) in a “simple”, two-good and a “complex” three-good condition. We find that OA perform worse than YA in the complex condition but similar to YA in the simple condition, both in terms of the number and severity of GARP violations. Working memory and IQ scores correlate significantly with consistency levels, but only in the complex treatment. Our findings suggest that the age-related deterioration of neural faculties responsible for working memory and fluid intelligence is an obstacle for consistent decision-making.

Suggested Citation

  • Brocas, Isabelle & Carrillo, Juan D. & Combs, T. Dalton & Kodaverdian, Niree, 2019. "Consistency in simple vs. complex choices by younger and older adults," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 157(C), pages 580-601.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jeborg:v:157:y:2019:i:c:p:580-601
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jebo.2018.10.019
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    Cited by:

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    2. Pulickal, Anuvinda & Chakravarty, Sujoy, 2023. "Subject confusion and task non-completion: Methodological insights from an artefactual field experiment with adolescents in India," Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Economics (formerly The Journal of Socio-Economics), Elsevier, vol. 103(C).
    3. Fabrice Le Lec & Marianne Lumeau & Benoît Tarroux, 2022. "How choice proliferation affects revealed preferences," Theory and Decision, Springer, vol. 93(2), pages 331-358, September.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Laboratory experiments; Revealed preferences; Aging; Complexity;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C91 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Laboratory, Individual Behavior
    • D11 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Consumer Economics: Theory
    • D12 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Consumer Economics: Empirical Analysis

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