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A Model of Relative Thinking

Author

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  • Benjamin Bushong
  • Matthew Rabin
  • Joshua Schwartzstein

Abstract

Fixed differences loom smaller when compared to large differences. We propose a model of relative thinking where a person weighs a given change along a consumption dimension by less when it is compared to bigger changes along that dimension. In deterministic settings, the model predicts context effects such as the attraction effect but predicts meaningful bounds on such effects driven by the intrinsic utility for the choices. In risky environments, a person is less likely to sacrifice utility on one dimension to gain utility on another that is made riskier. For example, a person is less likely to exert effort for a fixed monetary return if there is greater overall income uncertainty. We design and run experiments to test basic model predictions and find support for these predictions.

Suggested Citation

  • Benjamin Bushong & Matthew Rabin & Joshua Schwartzstein, 2021. "A Model of Relative Thinking," The Review of Economic Studies, Review of Economic Studies Ltd, vol. 88(1), pages 162-191.
    • Handle: RePEc:oup:restud:v:88:y:2021:i:1:p:162-191.
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10.1093/restud/rdaa055
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Fabio Galeotti & Maria Montero & Anders Poulsen, 2022. "The Attraction and Compromise Effects in Bargaining: Experimental Evidence," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 68(4), pages 2987-3007, April.
    2. Roman Inderst & Martin Obradovits, 2023. "Excessive Competition On Headline Prices," International Economic Review, Department of Economics, University of Pennsylvania and Osaka University Institute of Social and Economic Research Association, vol. 64(2), pages 783-808, May.
    3. Karle, Heiko & Kerzenmacher, Florian & Schumacher, Heiner & Verboven, Frank, 2023. "Search Costs and Context Effects," VfS Annual Conference 2023 (Regensburg): Growth and the "sociale Frage" 277612, Verein für Socialpolitik / German Economic Association.
    4. Adloff, Susann, 2021. "Adapting to Climate Change: Threat Experience, Cognition and Protection Motivation," VfS Annual Conference 2021 (Virtual Conference): Climate Economics 242400, Verein für Socialpolitik / German Economic Association.
    5. Canidio, Andrea & Karle, Heiko, 2022. "The focusing effect in negotiations," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 197(C), pages 1-20.
    6. Balart, Pau & Casas, Agustin & Troumpounis, Orestis, 2022. "Technological change, campaign spending and polarization," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 211(C).
    7. Balart, Pau, 2021. "Semiorder preferences and price-oriented buyers in a Hotelling model," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 188(C), pages 394-407.
    8. Markus Dertwinkel-Kalt & Holger Gerhardt & Gerhard Riener & Frederik Schwerter & Louis Strang, 2022. "Concentration Bias in Intertemporal Choice," The Review of Economic Studies, Review of Economic Studies Ltd, vol. 89(3), pages 1314-1334.
    9. Ayala Arad & Amnon Maltz, 2022. "Turning on Dimensional Prominence in Decision Making: Experiments and a Model," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 68(8), pages 6075-6099, August.
    10. Zhuo Chen & Russell Golman & Jason Somerville, 2024. "Menu-dependent risk attitudes: Theory and evidence," Journal of Risk and Uncertainty, Springer, vol. 68(1), pages 77-105, February.
    11. Carroni, Elias & Mantovani, Andrea & Minniti, Antonio, 2023. "Price signaling with salient-thinking consumers," Games and Economic Behavior, Elsevier, vol. 138(C), pages 238-253.
    12. Azar, Ofer H. & Voslinsky, Alisa, 2024. "Examining relative thinking in mixed compensation schemes: A replication study," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 218(C), pages 568-578.
    13. Herweg, Fabian & Weinschenk, Philipp, 2022. "Multi-attribute heuristics and intertemporal choices," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 200(C), pages 174-181.
    14. Cassidy Shubatt & Jeffrey Yang, 2024. "Tradeoffs and Comparison Complexity," Papers 2401.17578, arXiv.org, revised Oct 2024.
    15. Kelly Shue & Richard R. Townsend, 2021. "Can the Market Multiply and Divide? Non‐Proportional Thinking in Financial Markets," Journal of Finance, American Finance Association, vol. 76(5), pages 2307-2357, October.
    16. Karle, Heiko & Kerzenmacher, Florian & Schumacher, Heiner & Verboven, Frank, 2022. "Search Costs and Diminishing Sensitivity," CEPR Discussion Papers 17399, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    17. Changkuk Im, 2023. "Accurate Quality Elicitation in a Multi-Attribute Choice Setting," Papers 2309.00114, arXiv.org, revised Dec 2023.
    18. Roman Inderst & Martin Obradovits, 2024. "Price promotions as a threat to brands," Journal of Economics & Management Strategy, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 33(1), pages 53-77, January.

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    Keywords

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