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A monotone model of intertemporal choice

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  • Pavlo R. Blavatskyy

    (Murdoch University)

Abstract

Existing models of intertemporal choice such as discounted utility (also known as constant or exponential discounting), quasi-hyperbolic discounting and generalized hyperbolic discounting are not monotone: A decision maker with a concave utility function generally prefers receiving $1 m today plus $1 m tomorrow over receiving $2 m today. This paper proposes a new model of intertemporal choice. In this model, a decision maker cannot increase his/her satisfaction when a larger payoff is split into two smaller payoffs, one of which is slightly delayed in time. The model can rationalize several behavioral regularities such as a greater impatience for immediate outcomes. An application of the model to intertemporal consumption/saving reveals that consumers may exhibit dynamic inconsistency. Initially, they commit to saving for future consumption, but, as time passes, they prefer to renegotiate such a contract for an advance payment. Behavioral characterization (axiomatization) of the model is presented. The model allows for intertemporal wealth, complementarity and substitution effects (utility is not separable across time periods).

Suggested Citation

  • Pavlo R. Blavatskyy, 2016. "A monotone model of intertemporal choice," Economic Theory, Springer;Society for the Advancement of Economic Theory (SAET), vol. 62(4), pages 785-812, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:joecth:v:62:y:2016:i:4:d:10.1007_s00199-015-0931-6
    DOI: 10.1007/s00199-015-0931-6
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    Cited by:

    1. repec:cup:judgdm:v:16:y:2021:i:6:p:1324-1369 is not listed on IDEAS
    2. Pavlo R. Blavatskyy & Hela Maafi, 2018. "Estimating representations of time preferences and models of probabilistic intertemporal choice on experimental data," Journal of Risk and Uncertainty, Springer, vol. 56(3), pages 259-287, June.
    3. Pavlo Blavatskyy, 2018. "Temporal dominance and relative patience in intertemporal choice," Economic Theory, Springer;Society for the Advancement of Economic Theory (SAET), vol. 65(2), pages 361-384, March.
    4. Stephen L. Cheung, 2020. "Eliciting utility curvature in time preference," Experimental Economics, Springer;Economic Science Association, vol. 23(2), pages 493-525, June.
    5. Pavlo R. Blavatskyy, 2023. "Intertemporal choice with savoring of yesterday," Theory and Decision, Springer, vol. 94(3), pages 539-554, April.
    6. Pavlo R. Blavatskyy, 2022. "Intertemporal choice as a tradeoff between cumulative payoff and average delay," Journal of Risk and Uncertainty, Springer, vol. 64(1), pages 89-107, February.
    7. Blavatskyy, Pavlo, 2018. "Fechner’s strong utility model for choice among n>2 alternatives: Risky lotteries, Savage acts, and intertemporal payoffs," Journal of Mathematical Economics, Elsevier, vol. 79(C), pages 75-82.
    8. Pavlo Blavatskyy, 2020. "Expected discounted utility," Theory and Decision, Springer, vol. 88(2), pages 297-313, March.
    9. Holden, Stein T. & Tilahun, Mesfin & Sommervoll, Dag Einar, 2022. "Is diminishing impatience in time-dated risky prospects explained by probability weighting?," CLTS Working Papers 3/22, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Centre for Land Tenure Studies.
    10. Sudeep Bhatia & Graham Loomes & Daniel Read, 2021. "Establishing the laws of preferential choice behavior," Judgment and Decision Making, Society for Judgment and Decision Making, vol. 16(6), pages 1324-1369, November.
    11. Pavlo R. Blavatskyy & Hela Maafi, 2020. "A new test of convexity–concavity of discount function," Theory and Decision, Springer, vol. 89(2), pages 121-136, September.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Intertemporal choice; Discounted utility; Time preference; Dynamic inconsistency; Expected utility theory; Rank-dependent utility;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D01 - Microeconomics - - General - - - Microeconomic Behavior: Underlying Principles
    • D03 - Microeconomics - - General - - - Behavioral Microeconomics: Underlying Principles
    • D81 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Criteria for Decision-Making under Risk and Uncertainty
    • D90 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics - - - General

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