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The sound of others: surprising evidence of conformist behavior

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  • Paolo Crosetto

    (INRA - Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, GAEL - Laboratoire d'Economie Appliquée de Grenoble - Grenoble INP - Institut polytechnique de Grenoble - Grenoble Institute of Technology - INRA - Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique - UGA [2016-2019] - Université Grenoble Alpes [2016-2019])

  • Antonio Filippin

    (UNIMI - Università degli Studi di Milano = University of Milan)

Abstract

In this article we use the "Click" version of the Bomb Risk Elicitation Task to explore preferences for conformism. In the task subjects can infer the behavior of others from the mass of clicks heard. This signal is uninformative about the precise choices of the other participants, and never mentioned in the instructions. We control the exposure of subjects to clicks by implementing treatments with and without earmuffs. We further test the effect of the introduction of a common rather than individual resolution of uncertainty, still keeping individual payoffs independent of other subjects' choices. We find strong evidence of conformist behavior even in such an inhospitable environment. Simply hearing the others clicking marginally affects subjects behavior. Introducing a common random draw results in a dramatic shift of the average choices toward risk loving, in particular by women, which is consistent with social preference considerations.

Suggested Citation

  • Paolo Crosetto & Antonio Filippin, 2017. "The sound of others: surprising evidence of conformist behavior," Post-Print halshs-01547110, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:journl:halshs-01547110
    DOI: 10.1002/soej.12186
    Note: View the original document on HAL open archive server: https://shs.hal.science/halshs-01547110
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Antonio Filippin & Paolo Crosetto, 2016. "Click‘n’Roll: No Evidence of Illusion of Control," De Economist, Springer, vol. 164(3), pages 281-295, September.
    2. Francesca Gioia, 2017. "Peer effects on risk behaviour: the importance of group identity," Experimental Economics, Springer;Economic Science Association, vol. 20(1), pages 100-129, March.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    preferences; conformism; decision making; behavioral economics;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C81 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Data Collection and Data Estimation Methodology; Computer Programs - - - Methodology for Collecting, Estimating, and Organizing Microeconomic Data; Data Access
    • C91 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Laboratory, Individual Behavior
    • D81 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Criteria for Decision-Making under Risk and Uncertainty

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