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Referential Revealed Preference Theory

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  • Hassan Nosratabadi

    (Rutgers University)

Abstract

Reference-dependent choice behavior implies behavioral anomalies such as the so-called attraction effect, status quo bias, and endowment effect. This paper builds a new theory of revealed preference capturing preferences that depend on a reference point. The first main contribution of this work is a decomposition of the Weak Axiom of Revealed Preference (WARP) into three independent axioms. Referential revealed preference theory is then, naturally, constructed by only removing the WARP-rationales that are inconsistent with the data. This minimal deviation, in addition to explaining the mentioned behavioral anomalies, preserves the predictive power of the classical theory to the extent possible. Therefore, all sensible results are endogenously derived from the model. These results include: formation of references and reference preferences, the connection of the latter concept to the classical revealed preference, the nature of referential effects, and the characterization of choice. Interestingly, the notion of sequential rationalizability arises, endogenously, as a result in the referential revealed preference theory.

Suggested Citation

  • Hassan Nosratabadi, 2017. "Referential Revealed Preference Theory," Departmental Working Papers 201705, Rutgers University, Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:rut:rutres:201705
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    Cited by:

    1. Victor H. Aguiar & Roberto Serrano, 2018. "Cardinal Revealed Preference, Price-Dependent Utility, and Consistent Binary Choice," Working Papers 2018-3, Brown University, Department of Economics.
    2. Hassan Nosratabadi, 2017. "WARP Decompositions," Departmental Working Papers 201708, Rutgers University, Department of Economics.
    3. Hassan Nosratabadi, 2017. "Rational Filters," Departmental Working Papers 201706, Rutgers University, Department of Economics.
    4. Aguiar, Victor H. & Serrano, Roberto, 2021. "Cardinal revealed preference: Disentangling transitivity and consistent binary choice," Journal of Mathematical Economics, Elsevier, vol. 94(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Reference-Dependent Choice; Reference Preferences; Attraction Effect; Status-Quo Bias;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D11 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Consumer Economics: Theory
    • D81 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Criteria for Decision-Making under Risk and Uncertainty

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