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Cortisol meets GARP : The Effect of Stress on Economic Rationality

Author

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  • Cettolin, Elena

    (Tilburg University, School of Economics and Management)

  • Dalton, Patricio

    (Tilburg University, School of Economics and Management)

  • Kop, Willem

    (Tilburg University, School of Economics and Management)

  • Zhang, Wanqing

    (Tilburg University, School of Economics and Management)

Abstract

Rationality is a fundamental pillar of Economics. It is however unclear if this assumption holds when decisions are made under stress. To answer this question, we design two laboratory experiments where we exogenously induce physiological stress in participants and test the consistency of their choices with economic rationality. In both experiments we induce stress with the Cold Pressor test and measure economic rationality by the consistency of participants’ choices with the Generalized Axiom of Revealed Preference (GARP). In the first experiment, participants delay the decision-making task for 20 min until the cortisol level peaks. We find significant differences in cortisol levels between the stressed group and the placebo group which, however, do not affect the consistency of choices with GARP. In a second experiment, we study the immediate effect of the stressor on rationality. Overall, results from the second experiment confirm that rationality is not impaired by the stressor. If anything, we observe that compared to the placebo group, participants are more consistent with rationality immediately after the stressor. Our findings provide strong empirical support for the robustness of the economic rationality assumption under physiological stress.
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Suggested Citation

  • Cettolin, Elena & Dalton, Patricio & Kop, Willem & Zhang, Wanqing, 2018. "Cortisol meets GARP : The Effect of Stress on Economic Rationality," Other publications TiSEM 53ddb666-a610-4835-b6ba-6, Tilburg University, School of Economics and Management.
    • Handle: RePEc:tiu:tiutis:53ddb666-a610-4835-b6ba-6985b5fd2761
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    Cited by:

    1. Steven Shead & Robert B Durand & Stephanie Thomas, 2021. "Predicting price intervals under exogenously induced stress," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 16(9), pages 1-15, September.

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • C90 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - General
    • C91 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Laboratory, Individual Behavior
    • 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

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