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Expérimentations sur les choix séquentiels : application à " l'effet irréversibilité"

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  • Alexandra Rauchs
  • Marc Willinger

Abstract

[eng] The Irreversibility Effect (IE) predicts that an expected utility maximizer who expects to obtain additional information before his future choices, will choose a "more flexible" (or "less irreversible") position in the current period. Results of an experimental investigation of the IE are presented. The aim of this study was to provide empirical evidence about the IE without making specific assumptions about the agents' behavior. Our results support the theoretical predictions and suggest that the IE is compatible with non-expected utility maximizing behavior. [fre] L'effet irréversibilité prédit qu'un agent qui se comporte selon l'hypothèse de maximisation de l'utilité espérée, et qui anticipe un supplément d'information préa­lablement à ses choix futurs, adoptera une position « plus flexible » (ou « moins irréversible ») à la période présente. Dans cet article nous présenterons les résul­tats d'une étude expérimentale dont l'objectif est de mettre en évidence l'effet irré­versibilité sur un plan empirique, sans préjuger du type de comportement adopté par les agents. Les résultats obtenus sont conformes aux prédictions théoriques, et suggèrent que l'effet-irréversibilité est compatible avec des comportements qui ne respectent pas nécessairement l'hypothèse de maximisation de l'utilité espérée.

Suggested Citation

  • Alexandra Rauchs & Marc Willinger, 1996. "Expérimentations sur les choix séquentiels : application à " l'effet irréversibilité"," Revue Économique, Programme National Persée, vol. 47(1), pages 51-71.
    • Handle: RePEc:prs:reveco:reco_0035-2764_1996_num_47_1_409759
    DOI: 10.3406/reco.1996.409759
    Note: DOI:10.3406/reco.1996.409759
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    References listed on IDEAS

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