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Axiomatic Foundations of Bayesian Persuasion

Author

Listed:
  • Youichiro Higashi
  • Kemal Ozbek
  • Norio Takeoka

Abstract

In this paper, we study axiomatic foundations of Bayesian persuasion, where a principal (i.e., sender) delegates the task of choice making after informing a biased agent (i.e., receiver) about the payoff relevant uncertain state (see, e.g., Kamenica and Gentzkow (2011)). Our characterizations involve novel models of Bayesian persuasion, where the principal can steer the agent's bias after acquiring costly information. Importantly, we provide an elicitation method using only observable menu-choice data of the principal, which shows how to construct the principal's subjective costs of acquiring information even when he anticipates managing the agent's bias.

Suggested Citation

  • Youichiro Higashi & Kemal Ozbek & Norio Takeoka, 2025. "Axiomatic Foundations of Bayesian Persuasion," Papers 2512.23409, arXiv.org.
    • Handle: RePEc:arx:papers:2512.23409
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Fabio Maccheroni & Massimo Marinacci & Aldo Rustichini, 2004. "Variational representation of preferences under ambiguity," ICER Working Papers - Applied Mathematics Series 05-2004, ICER - International Centre for Economic Research.
    2. Mihm, Maximilian & Ozbek, Kemal, 2018. "Mood-driven choices and self-regulation," Journal of Economic Theory, Elsevier, vol. 176(C), pages 727-760.
    3. Stovall, John E., 2018. "Temptation with uncertain normative preference," Theoretical Economics, Econometric Society, vol. 13(1), January.
    4. Faruk Gul & Wolfgang Pesendorfer, 2001. "Temptation and Self-Control," Econometrica, Econometric Society, vol. 69(6), pages 1403-1435, November.
    5. Jeffrey Mensch, 2025. "Revealed Bayesian Persuasion," Papers 2504.01829, arXiv.org, revised Nov 2025.
    6. Eddie Dekel & Barton L Lipman & Aldo Rustichini & Todd Sarver, 2007. "Representing Preferences with a Unique Subjective State Space: A Corrigendum -super-1," Econometrica, Econometric Society, vol. 75(2), pages 591-600, March.
    7. Dillenberger, David & Lleras, Juan Sebastián & Sadowski, Philipp & Takeoka, Norio, 2014. "A theory of subjective learning," Journal of Economic Theory, Elsevier, vol. 153(C), pages 287-312.
    8. Kopylov, Igor, 2009. "Finite additive utility representations for preferences over menus," Journal of Economic Theory, Elsevier, vol. 144(1), pages 354-374, January.
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    Cited by:

    1. Kemal Ozbek, 2026. "Bayesian Persuasion under Bias Management," Papers 2602.10821, arXiv.org.

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