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Costly Self Control and Random Self Indulgence

Author

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  • Barton L. Lipman

    () (Department of Economics, Boston University.)

  • Eddie Dekel

    () (Economics Dept., Northwestern University, and School of Economics, Tel Aviv University)

Abstract

We study the random Strotz model, a version of the Strotz (1955) model with uncer- tainty about the nature of the temptation that will strike. We show that the random Strotz representation is unique and characterize a comparative notion of \more temp- tation averse." Also, we demonstrate an unexpected connection between the random Strotz model and a generalization of the Gul{Pesendorfer (GP) (2001) model of temp- tation which allows for the temptation to be uncertain and which we call random GP. In particular, a preference over menus has a random GP representation i it also has a representation via a random Strotz model with suciently smooth uncertainty about the intensity of temptation. We also show that choices of menus combined with choices from menus can distinguish the random GP and random Strotz models.

Suggested Citation

  • Barton L. Lipman & Eddie Dekel, 2010. "Costly Self Control and Random Self Indulgence," Boston University - Department of Economics - Working Papers Series WP2010-020, Boston University - Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:bos:wpaper:wp2010-020
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Battaglini, Marco & Benabou, Roland & Tirole, Jean, 2005. "Self-control in peer groups," Journal of Economic Theory, Elsevier, vol. 123(2), pages 105-134, August.
    2. Kfir Eliaz & Ran Spiegler, 2006. "Contracting with Diversely Naive Agents," Review of Economic Studies, Oxford University Press, vol. 73(3), pages 689-714.
    3. Benabou, Roland & Pycia, Marek, 2002. "Dynamic inconsistency and self-control: a planner-doer interpretation," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 77(3), pages 419-424, November.
    4. Gajdos, T. & Hayashi, T. & Tallon, J.-M. & Vergnaud, J.-C., 2008. "Attitude toward imprecise information," Journal of Economic Theory, Elsevier, vol. 140(1), pages 27-65, May.
    5. R. H. Strotz, 1955. "Myopia and Inconsistency in Dynamic Utility Maximization," Review of Economic Studies, Oxford University Press, vol. 23(3), pages 165-180.
    6. Higashi, Youichiro & Hyogo, Kazuya & Takeoka, Norio, 2009. "Subjective random discounting and intertemporal choice," Journal of Economic Theory, Elsevier, vol. 144(3), pages 1015-1053, May.
    7. David Laibson, 1997. "Golden Eggs and Hyperbolic Discounting," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, Oxford University Press, vol. 112(2), pages 443-478.
    8. Todd Sarver, 2008. "Anticipating Regret: Why Fewer Options May Be Better," Econometrica, Econometric Society, vol. 76(2), pages 263-305, March.
    9. Mas-Colell, Andreu & Whinston, Michael D. & Green, Jerry R., 1995. "Microeconomic Theory," OUP Catalogue, Oxford University Press, number 9780195102680.
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Stovall, John E., 2018. "Temptation with uncertain normative preference," Theoretical Economics, Econometric Society, vol. 13(1), January.
    2. Joaquín Gómez-Miñambres, 2015. "Temptation, horizontal differentiation and monopoly pricing," Theory and Decision, Springer, vol. 78(4), pages 549-573, April.
    3. Dufwenberg, Martin & Servátka, Maroš & Vadovič, Radovan, 2017. "Honesty and informal agreements," Games and Economic Behavior, Elsevier, vol. 102(C), pages 269-285.
    4. Toussaert, Séverine, 2018. "Eliciting temptation and self-control through menu choices: a lab experiment," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 88107, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    5. Knowles, Stephen & Servátka, Maroš, 2015. "Transaction costs, the opportunity cost of time and procrastination in charitable giving," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 125(C), pages 54-63.
    6. D. Pennesi, 2016. "When perfectionism becomes willpower," Working Papers wp1050, Dipartimento Scienze Economiche, Universita' di Bologna.
    7. Łukasz Balbus & Kevin Reffett & Łukasz Woźny, 2015. "Time consistent Markov policies in dynamic economies with quasi-hyperbolic consumers," International Journal of Game Theory, Springer;Game Theory Society, vol. 44(1), pages 83-112, February.
    8. Le Yaouanq, Yves, 2015. "Anticipating Preference Reversal"," TSE Working Papers 15-585, Toulouse School of Economics (TSE).
    9. David Dillenberger & Andrew Postlewaite & Kareen Rozen, 2017. "Optimism and Pessimism with Expected Utility," Journal of the European Economic Association, European Economic Association, vol. 15(5), pages 1158-1175.
    10. repec:spr:joecth:v:65:y:2018:i:3:d:10.1007_s00199-016-1025-9 is not listed on IDEAS
    11. repec:eee:jetheo:v:176:y:2018:i:c:p:727-760 is not listed on IDEAS
    12. Monisankar Bishnu & Cagri S. Kumru & Arm Nakornthab, 2016. "Optimal Inheritance Tax under Temptation," ANU Working Papers in Economics and Econometrics 2016-637, Australian National University, College of Business and Economics, School of Economics.
    13. repec:eee:jetheo:v:173:y:2018:i:c:p:201-230 is not listed on IDEAS
    14. Lukasz Wozny & Michal Krawczyk, 2016. "An experiment on temptation and attitude towards paternalism," Working Papers 2016-018, Warsaw School of Economics, Collegium of Economic Analysis.
    15. Bleile, Jörg, 2016. "Limited Attention in Case-Based Belief Formation," Center for Mathematical Economics Working Papers 518, Center for Mathematical Economics, Bielefeld University.

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