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Identifying Behavioral Types

Author

Listed:
  • Christopher Kops
  • Paola Manzini
  • Marco Mariotti
  • Illia Pasichnichenko

Abstract

We study identification in models of aggregate choice generated by unobserved behavioral types. An analyst observes only aggregate choice behavior, while the population distribution of types and their type-level choice patterns are latent. Assuming only minimal and purely qualitative prior knowledge of the process generating type-level choice probabilities, we characterize necessary and sufficient conditions for identifiability. Identification obtains if and only if the data exhibit sufficient cross-type behavioral heterogeneity, which we characterize equivalently through combinatorial matching conditions between types and alternatives, and through algebraic properties of the matrices mapping type-level to aggregate choice behavior.

Suggested Citation

  • Christopher Kops & Paola Manzini & Marco Mariotti & Illia Pasichnichenko, 2026. "Identifying Behavioral Types," Papers 2602.10756, arXiv.org.
    • Handle: RePEc:arx:papers:2602.10756
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    File URL: http://arxiv.org/pdf/2602.10756
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Valentino Dardanoni & Paola Manzini & Marco Mariotti & Christopher J. Tyson, 2020. "Inferring Cognitive Heterogeneity From Aggregate Choices," Econometrica, Econometric Society, vol. 88(3), pages 1269-1296, May.
    2. Kelvin Lancaster, 1962. "The Scope of Qualitative Economics," The Review of Economic Studies, Review of Economic Studies Ltd, vol. 29(2), pages 99-123.
    3. Chambers, Christopher P. & Turansick, Christopher, 2025. "The limits of identification in discrete choice," Games and Economic Behavior, Elsevier, vol. 150(C), pages 537-551.
    4. Jose Apesteguia & Miguel A. Ballester & Jay Lu, 2017. "Single‐Crossing Random Utility Models," Econometrica, Econometric Society, vol. 85, pages 661-674, March.
    5. Turansick, Christopher, 2022. "Identification in the random utility model," Journal of Economic Theory, Elsevier, vol. 203(C).
    6. Paola Manzini & Marco Mariotti, 2012. "Categorize Then Choose: Boundedly Rational Choice And Welfare," Journal of the European Economic Association, European Economic Association, vol. 10(5), pages 1141-1165, October.
    7. Jay Lu, 2019. "Bayesian Identification: A Theory for State-Dependent Utilities," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 109(9), pages 3192-3228, September.
    8. Dubra, Juan & Maccheroni, Fabio & Ok, Efe A., 2004. "Expected utility theory without the completeness axiom," Journal of Economic Theory, Elsevier, vol. 115(1), pages 118-133, March.
    9. Azrieli, Yaron & Rehbeck, John N., 0. "Marginal stochastic choice," Theoretical Economics, Econometric Society.
    10. Kelvin J. Lancaster, 1966. "A New Approach to Consumer Theory," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 74(2), pages 132-132.
    11. Emel Filiz-Ozbay & Yusufcan Masatlioglu, 2023. "Progressive Random Choice," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 131(3), pages 716-750.
    12. Peter Caradonna & Christopher Turansick, 2026. "Identification in Stochastic Choice," Papers 2602.19950, arXiv.org.
    13. Manzini, Paola & Mariotti, Marco, 2018. "Dual random utility maximisation," Journal of Economic Theory, Elsevier, vol. 177(C), pages 162-182.
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    Cited by:

    1. Peter Caradonna & Christopher Turansick, 2026. "Identification in Stochastic Choice," Papers 2602.19950, arXiv.org.

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