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A one-sentence nudge against present focus

Author

Listed:
  • Ilia Aliaev

    (Corvinus University of Budapest)

  • Hubert Janos Kiss

    (ELTE KRTK & Corvinus University of Budapest)

Abstract

We test whether a single neutral sentence can reduce present-focused intertemporal choices. In a pre-registered classroom experiment ($N=210$) at Corvinus University of Budapest, first-year students made eight incentivized choices between HUF~10{,}000 immediately and larger amounts paid in two weeks. The treatment added a one-line, non-directive prompt---``Think carefully about all the possibilities that money would provide you''---intended to shift attention from emph{when} money arrives to emph{what} it enables. Treated participants switch to the later--larger option at lower premia (about $0.1$--$0.2$ SD), but estimates are imprecise and not statistically significant. We interpret the pattern as consistent with a small effect, suggesting that this minimal prompt may be too weak at the stakes and two-week horizon studied.

Suggested Citation

  • Ilia Aliaev & Hubert Janos Kiss, 2026. "A one-sentence nudge against present focus," Economics Bulletin, AccessEcon, vol. 46(2), pages 675-683.
  • Handle: RePEc:ebl:ecbull:eb-25-00634
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    JEL classification:

    • C9 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments
    • D9 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics

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