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Envy and habits: panel data estimates of interdependent preferences

Author

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  • Francisco Alvarez-Cuadrado

    (McGill University)

  • Jose Maria Casado

    (Banco de España)

  • Jose Maria Labeaga

    (Intitito de Estudios Fiscales and UNED)

  • Dhanoos Sutthiphisal

    (McGill University)

Abstract

We estimate the importance of preference interdependence from consumption choices. Our strategy follows the literature that tests the constraints imposed by optimality in the evolution of individual consumption. We derive a Euler equation from a preference specification that allows for non-separabilities across households and across time. The introduction of habits and envy places additional restrictions on the evolution of the optimal consumption path. We use a unique data set that follows a sample of 3,200 households for up to eight consecutive quarters to test these restrictions. Our estimates suggest that, if one defines utility over consumption services, a large fraction of these services is relative, with one-quarter of the weight placed in the consumption of the reference group and more than one-third of the weight placed in the agent’s past consumption

Suggested Citation

  • Francisco Alvarez-Cuadrado & Jose Maria Casado & Jose Maria Labeaga & Dhanoos Sutthiphisal, 2012. "Envy and habits: panel data estimates of interdependent preferences," Working Papers 1213, Banco de España.
    • Handle: RePEc:bde:wpaper:1213
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    Keywords

    Consumption externalities; habit formation; envy; panel data;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C23 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Models with Panel Data; Spatio-temporal Models
    • D12 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Consumer Economics: Empirical Analysis
    • D91 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics - - - Role and Effects of Psychological, Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Factors on Decision Making

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