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Living a Lie: Theory and Evidence on Public Preference Falsification

Author

Listed:
  • John Duffy

    (Department of Economics, University of California-Irvine)

  • Jonathan Lafky

    (Carleton College)

Abstract

We propose a model of how public behavior changes in response to the evolution of privately held preferences. Our aim is to rationalize the tendency for individuals who hold minority viewpoints to falsely report their preferences by taking actions favored by the majority. We do this using a game involving a tension between honest expression of one's true preferences and a desire to conform to the behavior of others. In an experimental test of our model, we find confirmatory support for the model's main predictions, that even after a majority of the population shares what was previously an unpopular minority opinion, a lack of mutual awareness among members of the new majority can allow continued public support for the old status quo, and that the onset and speed of transitions to new, majority-held opinions depend on the relative difference in rewards from conformity versus truthful expression.

Suggested Citation

  • John Duffy & Jonathan Lafky, 2018. "Living a Lie: Theory and Evidence on Public Preference Falsification," Working Papers 181902, University of California-Irvine, Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:irv:wpaper:181902
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    File URL: https://www.economics.uci.edu/research/wp/1819/18-19-02.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Apolte, Thomas & Müller, Julia, 2022. "The persistence of political myths and ideologies," European Journal of Political Economy, Elsevier, vol. 71(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Conflict; conformity; social change; hypocrisy; insincerity; groupthink; pluralistic ignorance; preference falsification; experimental economics;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C92 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Laboratory, Group Behavior
    • D74 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Conflict; Conflict Resolution; Alliances; Revolutions
    • D82 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Asymmetric and Private Information; Mechanism Design
    • D83 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Search; Learning; Information and Knowledge; Communication; Belief; Unawareness

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