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Accounting for the role of habit in regular saving

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  • Loibl, Cäzilia
  • Kraybill, David S.
  • DeMay, Sara Wackler

Abstract

The present study combines insights from social psychology and economics by examining the role of savings habits in regular saving. As frequently practiced, automatic, and goal-facilitated behaviors, savings habits play a critical role in everyday financial decisions. Using the Self-Report Habit Index developed by Verplanken and Orbell (2003), we collected and analyzed survey data to (1) validate the role of habit in regular saving; (2) test whether participation in a savings program, the Individual Development Account program, facilitates habit formation; and (3) examine the role of habit in individual's perception of financial strain. The results showed that habit mattered for regular saving. It influenced savings amounts above and beyond Theory of Planned Behavior and deposit frequency measures. Habit strength increased over time during program participation and savings habits reduced the stress of financially difficult situations.

Suggested Citation

  • Loibl, Cäzilia & Kraybill, David S. & DeMay, Sara Wackler, 2011. "Accounting for the role of habit in regular saving," Journal of Economic Psychology, Elsevier, vol. 32(4), pages 581-592, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:joepsy:v:32:y:2011:i:4:p:581-592
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    3. Hazel Bateman & Ralph Stevens & Jennifer Alonso Garcia & Eduard Ponds, 2018. "Learning to Value Annuities: The Role of Information and Engagement," ULB Institutional Repository 2013/300030, ULB -- Universite Libre de Bruxelles.
    4. Budi Setiawan & Thich Dai Phan & Jennifer Medina & Martijn Wieriks & Robert Jeyakumar Nathan & Maria Fekete-Farkas, 2024. "Quest for financial inclusion via digital financial services (Fintech) during COVID-19 pandemic: case study of women in Indonesia," Journal of Financial Services Marketing, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 29(2), pages 459-473, June.
    5. Corradi, Nicola & Priftis, Konstantinos & Jacucci, Giulio & Gamberini, Luciano, 2013. "Oops, I forgot the light on! The cognitive mechanisms supporting the execution of energy saving behaviors," Journal of Economic Psychology, Elsevier, vol. 34(C), pages 88-96.
    6. Gerhard, Patrick & Gladstone, Joe J. & Hoffmann, Arvid O.I., 2018. "Psychological characteristics and household savings behavior: The importance of accounting for latent heterogeneity," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 148(C), pages 66-82.
    7. J. Magendans & J.M. Gutteling & S. Zebel, 2017. "Psychological determinants of financial buffer saving: the influence of financial risk tolerance and regulatory focus," Journal of Risk Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 20(8), pages 1076-1093, August.
    8. Grohmann, Antonia & Kouwenberg, Roy & Menkhoff, Lukas, 2015. "Childhood roots of financial literacy," Journal of Economic Psychology, Elsevier, vol. 51(C), pages 114-133.
    9. Zeynep Copur & Michael S. Gutter, 2019. "Economic, Sociological, and Psychological Factors of the Saving Behavior: Turkey Case," Journal of Family and Economic Issues, Springer, vol. 40(2), pages 305-322, June.
    10. Annette Otto & Paul Webley, 2016. "Saving, Selling, Earning, and Negotiating: How Adolescents Acquire Monetary Lump Sums and Who Considers Saving," Journal of Consumer Affairs, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 50(2), pages 342-371, July.
    11. Nikolaos Satsios & Spyros Hadjidakis, 2018. "Applying the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) in Saving Behaviour of Pomak Households," International Journal of Financial Research, International Journal of Financial Research, Sciedu Press, vol. 9(2), pages 122-133, April.
    12. Carlos M Parra & Ranjita Poudel & Matthew Sutherland, 2021. "Towards an Understanding of Low-Income Individuals’ Financial Resiliency: Exploration of Risk Preferences, Personality Traits, and Savings Behavior," Journal of Economics and Behavioral Studies, AMH International, vol. 13(5), pages 32-54.

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