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A Model of Utility Smoothing

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  • Katsutoshi Wakai

Abstract

Experimental studies have found that a decision maker prefers spreading good and bad outcomes evenly over time. We propose, in an axiomatic framework, a new model of discount factors that captures this preference for spread. The model provides a refinement of the discounted utility model while maintaining dynamic consistency. The derived discount factors incorporate gain/loss asymmetry recursively: the difference between average future utility and current utility defines a gain or a loss, and gains are discounted more than losses. This notion of utility smoothing can induce a preference for spread: if bad outcomes are concentrated on future periods, moving one of the bad outcomes to today would be beneficial because such an operation eliminates a large loss and replaces it with a small gain. Copyright The Econometric Society 2008.

Suggested Citation

  • Katsutoshi Wakai, 2008. "A Model of Utility Smoothing," Econometrica, Econometric Society, vol. 76(1), pages 137-153, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:ecm:emetrp:v:76:y:2008:i:1:p:137-153
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10.1111/j.1468-0262.2008.00820.x
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Balbus, Łukasz & Reffett, Kevin & Woźny, Łukasz, 2022. "Time-consistent equilibria in dynamic models with recursive payoffs and behavioral discounting," Journal of Economic Theory, Elsevier, vol. 204(C).
    2. Mononen, Lasse, 2024. "Dynamically Consistent Intergenerational Welfare," Center for Mathematical Economics Working Papers 687, Center for Mathematical Economics, Bielefeld University.
    3. Jean-Pierre Drugeon & Thai Ha-Huy & Thi Do Hanh Nguyen, 2019. "On maximin dynamic programming and the rate of discount," Economic Theory, Springer;Society for the Advancement of Economic Theory (SAET), vol. 67(3), pages 703-729, April.
    4. Obara, Ichiro & Park, Jaeok, 2017. "Repeated games with general discounting," Journal of Economic Theory, Elsevier, vol. 172(C), pages 348-375.
    5. Nina Anchugina, 2015. "A simple framework for the axiomatization of exponential and quasi-hyperbolic discounting," Papers 1511.06454, arXiv.org.
    6. Shigeta, Yuki, 2020. "Gain/loss asymmetric stochastic differential utility," Journal of Economic Dynamics and Control, Elsevier, vol. 118(C).
    7. Wakai, Katsutoshi, 2011. "Modeling nonmonotone preferences: The case of utility smoothing," Journal of Mathematical Economics, Elsevier, vol. 47(2), pages 213-226, March.
    8. Jean-Pierre Drugeon & Thai Ha-Huy & Thi-Do-Hanh Nguyen, 2018. "On Maximin Optimization Problems & the Rate of Discount: a Simple Dynamic Programming Argument," Working Papers halshs-01761997, HAL.
    9. Charness, Gary & Kuhn, Peter, 2011. "Lab Labor: What Can Labor Economists Learn from the Lab?," Handbook of Labor Economics, in: O. Ashenfelter & D. Card (ed.), Handbook of Labor Economics, edition 1, volume 4, chapter 3, pages 229-330, Elsevier.
    10. Myong‐Il Kang & Shinsuke Ikeda, 2014. "Time Discounting And Smoking Behavior: Evidence From A Panel Survey," Health Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 23(12), pages 1443-1464, December.
    11. Katsutoshi Wakai, 2013. "Intertemporal utility smoothing under uncertainty," Theory and Decision, Springer, vol. 74(2), pages 285-310, February.
    12. Wakai, Katsutoshi, 2012. "An infinite-horizon model of nonmonotone utility smoothing," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 116(2), pages 170-173.
    13. Eisei Ohtaki, 2023. "Optimality in an OLG model with nonsmooth preferences," International Journal of Economic Theory, The International Society for Economic Theory, vol. 19(3), pages 611-659, September.
    14. Wakai, Katsutoshi, 2013. "An alternative axiomatization of intertemporal utility smoothing," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 119(2), pages 224-227.
    15. Nina Anchugina, 2017. "A simple framework for the axiomatization of exponential and quasi-hyperbolic discounting," Theory and Decision, Springer, vol. 82(2), pages 185-210, February.
    16. Mononen, Lasse, 2024. "Dynamically Consistent Intertemporal Dual-Self Expected Utility," Center for Mathematical Economics Working Papers 686, Center for Mathematical Economics, Bielefeld University.
    17. Jawwad Noor & Norio Takeoka, "undated". "Impatience as Selfishness," Boston University - Department of Economics - Working Papers Series WP2018-008, Boston University - Department of Economics.

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