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Sticky Models

Author

Listed:
  • Paul Grass

  • Philipp Schirmer

  • Malin Siemers

Abstract

People often form incomplete mental models, having to revise them as new relevant variables become observable. We show experimentally that models are ‘sticky’: revised models remain strongly influenced by earlier models formed using a subset of variables. Sticky models occur across three different data-generating processes and across heterogeneous reasoning types of subjects. Guided by a simple framework of dy namic model formation, we investigate cognitive effort allocation as a key mechanism: across three DGPs, we find that stickiness is driven by subjects who exert relatively less cognitive effort during the model revision relative to the initial model formation.

Suggested Citation

  • Paul Grass & Philipp Schirmer & Malin Siemers, 2026. "Sticky Models," CRC TR 224 Discussion Paper Series crctr224_2025_763, University of Bonn and University of Mannheim, Germany.
    • Handle: RePEc:bon:boncrc:crctr224_2025_763
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    File URL: https://www.crctr224.de/research/discussion-papers/archive/dp763
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • D83 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Search; Learning; Information and Knowledge; Communication; Belief; Unawareness
    • D91 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics - - - Role and Effects of Psychological, Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Factors on Decision Making

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