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Identity as Self-Image

Author

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  • Roland Bénabou
  • Luca Henkel

Abstract

We review the economic literature on self-image, which conceptualizes identity as a set of beliefs about one’s core traits, values, goals, and social ties. Self-image concerns lead individuals to process information and make choices in non-standard ways that help affirm and protect certain valued identities. We first present the main cognitive mechanisms involved within a simple unifying framework. We then survey the extensive laboratory, online, and field experimental literature on the nature and behavioral implications of self-image concerns. We discuss in particular how they give rise to information and decision avoidance, motivated memory and beliefs, excuse-driven behavior, preferences for truth-telling, hypothetical bias, moral cleansing and moral licensing, collective identities, political preferences, and other forms of self-signaling or self-deception. We subsequently discuss common empirical strategies used to identify self-image concerns, as well as the threats to their validity and how to alleviate them. We conclude by outlining open questions and directions for future research on the belief-based approach to identity.

Suggested Citation

  • Roland Bénabou & Luca Henkel, 2025. "Identity as Self-Image," CESifo Working Paper Series 12147, CESifo.
    • Handle: RePEc:ces:ceswps:_12147
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    File URL: https://www.ifo.de/DocDL/cesifo1_wp12147.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Hannah Trachtman & Andrew Steinkruger & Mackenzie Wood & Adam Wooster & James Andreoni & James J. Murphy & Justin M. Rao, 2015. "Fair weather avoidance: unpacking the costs and benefits of “Avoiding the Ask”," Journal of the Economic Science Association, Springer;Economic Science Association, vol. 1(1), pages 8-14, July.
    2. Ao Wang & Shaoda Wang & Xiaoyang Ye, 2023. "When Information Conflicts with Obligations: the Role of Motivated Cognition," The Economic Journal, Royal Economic Society, vol. 133(654), pages 2533-2552.
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    Cited by:

    1. Brendan Brundage & Dan McGee & Daniele Tavani, 2025. "Theoretical Approaches in Stratification Economics," NBER Chapters, in: Economics of Race and Stratification, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • D01 - Microeconomics - - General - - - Microeconomic Behavior: Underlying Principles
    • D91 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics - - - Role and Effects of Psychological, Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Factors on Decision Making
    • C90 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - General

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