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Economic Psychology » Economical Topics
Models in behavioral economics are typically addressed to a particular
observed market anomaly and modify standard neo-classical models
by describing decision makers as using heuristics and being affected
by framing effects. In general, behavioural economics sits within
the neoclassical framework, though the standard assumption of rational
behaviour is often challenged.
Heuristics:
Prospect theory - Loss aversion - Status quo bias - Gambler's fallacy
- Self-serving bias
Framing:
Cognitive framing - Mental accounting - Reference utility - Anchoring
Anomalies:
Endowment effect - Equity premium puzzle - Money illusion - Fairness
- Efficiency wage hypothesis - Reciprocity - Intertemporal consumption
- Present biased preferences - Behavioral life cycle hypothesis
- Wage stickiness - Price stickiness - Visceral influences - Income
and happiness
Criticisms of behavioral economics:
Critics of behavioral economics typically stress the rationality
of economic agents (see Myagkov and Plott (1997) amongst others).
They contend that experimentally observed behavior is inapplicable
to market situations, as learning opportunities and competition
will ensure at least a close approximation of rational behavior.
Others note that cognitive theories, such as prospect theory, are
models of decision making, not generalized economic behavior, and
are only applicable to the sort of once-off decision problems presented
to experiment participants or survey respondents.
Traditional economists are also sceptical of the experimental and
survey based techniques which are used extensively in behavioral
economics. Economists typically stress revealed preferences, over
stated preferences (from surveys) in the determination of economic
value. Experiments and surveys must be designed carefully to avoid
systemic biases, strategic behavior and lack of incentive compatibility
and many economists are distrustful of results obtained in this
manner due to the difficulty of eliminating these problems. Rabin
(1998) dismisses these criticisms, claiming that results are typically
reproduced in various situations and countries and can lead to good
theoretical insight.
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