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The Theory of Cognitive-Conditional Conservatism in Accounting

Author

Listed:
  • Rodrigo de Oliveira Leite

    (COPPEAD Graduate School of Business, The Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rua Pascoal Lemme 355 Office 423, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, Brazil)

  • Ricardo Lopes Cardoso

    (Brazilian School of Public and Business Administration, Getulio Vargas Foundation, Rua Jornalista Orlando Dantas, 30, sala 206, Rio de Janeiro 22231-010, Brazil)

Abstract

Literature from multiple fields in psychology and economics have identified that impulsive individuals are more prone to riskier behavior and are less conservative. Accounting literature has studied conservatism for many years, and demonstrated that there are two roots of conservatism, one unconditional and another conditional to news available at decision-making. However, there is no bridge linking both. Using an analytical model, we show that the conservatism level of an accountant is lower for impulsive individuals because of their reduced focus on future consequences of their decisions, which is coupled with an increased focus on present consequences. Hence, we put forward a theory of “cognitive-conditional conservatism”, that is, a third root of conservatism. Additionally, we also prove the asymmetry property of this behavior.

Suggested Citation

  • Rodrigo de Oliveira Leite & Ricardo Lopes Cardoso, 2020. "The Theory of Cognitive-Conditional Conservatism in Accounting," Mathematics, MDPI, vol. 8(9), pages 1-7, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jmathe:v:8:y:2020:i:9:p:1552-:d:411461
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    2. Doupnik, Timothy S. & Riccio, Edson Luiz, 2006. "The influence of conservatism and secrecy on the interpretation of verbal probability expressions in the Anglo and Latin cultural areas," The International Journal of Accounting, Elsevier, vol. 41(3), pages 237-261.
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    4. Leite, Rodrigo de Oliveira & Cardoso, Ricardo Lopes & Jelihovschi, Ana Paula Gomes & Civitarese, Jamil, 2020. "Job market compensation for cognitive reflection ability," Research in Economics, Elsevier, vol. 74(1), pages 87-93.
    5. Cronqvist, Henrik & Yu, Frank, 2017. "Shaped by their daughters: Executives, female socialization, and corporate social responsibility," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 126(3), pages 543-562.
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    Cited by:

    1. Ricardo Lopes Cardoso & Rodrigo de Oliveira Leite & André Carlos Busanelli de Aquino, 2023. "Probable at First Glance, but Unlikely After Closer Look: The Role of Cognitive Reflection Ability on the Assessment of Probabilistic Expressions," The International Journal of Accounting (TIJA), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 58(02), pages 1-31, June.

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