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How Do We Choose Our Identity? A Revealed Preference Approach Using Food Consumption

Author

Listed:
  • David Atkin
  • Eve Colson-Sihra
  • Moses Shayo

Abstract

Are identities fungible? How do people come to identify with specific groups? This paper proposes a revealed preference approach, using food consumption to uncover ethnic and religious identity choices in India. We first show that consumption \of identity goods responds to forces suggested by social identity research: group status and group salience. Moreover, identity choices respond to the cost of following the group’s prescribed behaviors. We propose and estimate a demand system to quantify the identity changes that followed India’s 1991 reforms. While social identity research has focused on status and salience, our results suggest that economic costs also play an important role.

Suggested Citation

  • David Atkin & Eve Colson-Sihra & Moses Shayo, 2021. "How Do We Choose Our Identity? A Revealed Preference Approach Using Food Consumption," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 129(4), pages 1193-1251.
    • Handle: RePEc:ucp:jpolec:doi:10.1086/712761
    DOI: 10.1086/712761
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    JEL classification:

    • D12 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Consumer Economics: Empirical Analysis
    • D74 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Conflict; Conflict Resolution; Alliances; Revolutions
    • D91 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics - - - Role and Effects of Psychological, Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Factors on Decision Making
    • O1 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development
    • Z1 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics

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