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Poverty and limited attention

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  • Schmitt, Stefanie Y.
  • Schlatterer, Markus G.

Abstract

In this article, we analyze whether the financial strain of poverty systematically alters the allocation of attention. We address two types of attention: attention to unexpectedly occurring events and attention to primary tasks that require focus. We show that the poor are significantly more likely than the rich to notice unexpected events. In addition, we do not find robust evidence that poverty increases the likelihood of noticing the unexpected events at the expense of attention to the primary task.

Suggested Citation

  • Schmitt, Stefanie Y. & Schlatterer, Markus G., 2021. "Poverty and limited attention," Economics & Human Biology, Elsevier, vol. 41(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ehbiol:v:41:y:2021:i:c:s1570677x21000113
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ehb.2021.100987
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    Cited by:

    1. Nathan Goldstein & Ohad Raveh, 2024. "Looking up the sky: unidentified aerial phenomena and macroeconomic attention," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 11(1), pages 1-25, December.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Inattentional blindness; Limited attention; Poverty;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D91 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics - - - Role and Effects of Psychological, Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Factors on Decision Making
    • I32 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - Measurement and Analysis of Poverty

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