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Some Social Welfare Implications of Behavioural Preferences

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  • Gallice, Andrea

Abstract

We investigate how the assumption that individuals are characterized by some recent forms of behavioural preferences changes the analysis of an otherwise classical welfare problem, namely the optimal allocation of a scarce resource among a finite number of claimants. We consider two preference specifications: inequity aversion and reference dependence. In the latter case we also study the implications of the claimants displaying a self-serving bias when setting their reference point. Using standard welfare criteria, we compute the optimal allocations that a benevolent social planner should implement in the various scenarios. Results are often remarkably different with respect to traditional (i.e., rational preferences) analysis. We discuss the policy implications and the role of a social planner.

Suggested Citation

  • Gallice, Andrea, 2007. "Some Social Welfare Implications of Behavioural Preferences," CEPR Discussion Papers 6572, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
  • Handle: RePEc:cpr:ceprdp:6572
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Social welfare; Optimum allocation; Inequity aversion; Reference dependence; Self-serving bias;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D01 - Microeconomics - - General - - - Microeconomic Behavior: Underlying Principles
    • D61 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Allocative Efficiency; Cost-Benefit Analysis

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