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Why do people who think they have failed want to see the results more? An investigation based on the Ego Utility Model

Author

Listed:
  • Kazumi Shimizu

    (Faculty of Political Science and Economics, Waseda University)

  • Rongyu Hu

    (Graduate School of Economics, Waseda University)

Abstract

This paper examines how ego utility influences decision making and shows that the desire to maintain or enhance one’s self-image can lead to the avoidance of useful information if it conflicts with existing beliefs. It challenges the traditional economic view of purely rational decision making focused on economic gain by incorporating ego utility into expected utility theory. The study provides theoretical evidence on how ego utility affects information processing and decision-making, suggesting that self-esteem plays a significant role. This work enriches the field of behavioural economics by shedding light on the reasons behind individuals’ reluctance to seek relevant information, highlighting the complex relationship between ego utility and information seeking behaviour.

Suggested Citation

  • Kazumi Shimizu & Rongyu Hu, 2024. "Why do people who think they have failed want to see the results more? An investigation based on the Ego Utility Model," Working Papers 2403, Waseda University, Faculty of Political Science and Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:wap:wpaper:2403
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Markus M. Möbius & Muriel Niederle & Paul Niehaus & Tanya S. Rosenblat, 2022. "Managing Self-Confidence: Theory and Experimental Evidence," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 68(11), pages 7793-7817, November.
    2. Gregory, Nathaniel, 1980. "Relative Wealth and Risk Taking: A Short Note on the Friedman-Savage Utility Function," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 88(6), pages 1226-1230, December.
    3. Ryvkin, Dmitry & Krajč, Marian & Ortmann, Andreas, 2012. "Are the unskilled doomed to remain unaware?," Journal of Economic Psychology, Elsevier, vol. 33(5), pages 1012-1031.
    4. Roland Bénabou & Jean Tirole, 2016. "Mindful Economics: The Production, Consumption, and Value of Beliefs," Journal of Economic Perspectives, American Economic Association, vol. 30(3), pages 141-164, Summer.
    5. Grieco, Daniela & Hogarth, Robin M., 2009. "Overconfidence in absolute and relative performance: The regression hypothesis and Bayesian updating," Journal of Economic Psychology, Elsevier, vol. 30(5), pages 756-771, October.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    ego utility; Bayesian updating; beta distribution;
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