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Ambiguous persuasion: An ex-ante formulation

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  • Cheng, Xiaoyu

Abstract

Consider a persuasion game where both the sender and receiver are ambiguity averse with maxmin expected utility (MEU) preferences and the sender can choose an ambiguous information structure. This paper analyzes the game in an ex-ante formulation: the sender first commits to an information structure, and then the receiver best responds by choosing an ex-ante message-contingent action plan. Under this formulation, I show it is never strictly beneficial for the sender to use an ambiguous information structure as opposed to a standard unambiguous one. This result is robust to (i) the players having heterogeneous beliefs over the states, and/or (ii) the receiver having non-MEU, uncertainty-averse preferences. However, it is not robust to the sender having non-MEU preferences.

Suggested Citation

  • Cheng, Xiaoyu, 2025. "Ambiguous persuasion: An ex-ante formulation," Games and Economic Behavior, Elsevier, vol. 154(C), pages 149-158.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:gamebe:v:154:y:2025:i:c:p:149-158
    DOI: 10.1016/j.geb.2025.08.017
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Cheaheon Lim, 2026. "Partially Identified Ambiguity," Papers 2602.07634, arXiv.org.

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • C72 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Game Theory and Bargaining Theory - - - Noncooperative Games
    • D81 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Criteria for Decision-Making under Risk and Uncertainty
    • D83 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Search; Learning; Information and Knowledge; Communication; Belief; Unawareness

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