Strategic self-ignorance

Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review

Standard

Strategic self-ignorance. / Thunström, Linda; Nordström, Leif Jonas; Shogren, Jason F.; Ehmke, Mariah; van 't Veld, Klaas.

In: Journal of Risk and Uncertainty, Vol. 52, No. 2, 2016, p. 117-126.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review

Harvard

Thunström, L, Nordström, LJ, Shogren, JF, Ehmke, M & van 't Veld, K 2016, 'Strategic self-ignorance', Journal of Risk and Uncertainty, vol. 52, no. 2, pp. 117-126. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11166-016-9236-9

APA

Thunström, L., Nordström, L. J., Shogren, J. F., Ehmke, M., & van 't Veld, K. (2016). Strategic self-ignorance. Journal of Risk and Uncertainty, 52(2), 117-126. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11166-016-9236-9

Vancouver

Thunström L, Nordström LJ, Shogren JF, Ehmke M, van 't Veld K. Strategic self-ignorance. Journal of Risk and Uncertainty. 2016;52(2):117-126. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11166-016-9236-9

Author

Thunström, Linda ; Nordström, Leif Jonas ; Shogren, Jason F. ; Ehmke, Mariah ; van 't Veld, Klaas. / Strategic self-ignorance. In: Journal of Risk and Uncertainty. 2016 ; Vol. 52, No. 2. pp. 117-126.

Bibtex

@article{ebea6a6e5ceb4640af769772b304f494,
title = "Strategic self-ignorance",
abstract = "We examine strategic self-ignorance—the use of ignorance as an excuse to over-indulge in pleasurable activities that may be harmful to one{\textquoteright}s future self. Our model shows that guilt aversion provides a behavioral rationale for present-biased agents to avoid information about negative future impacts of such activities. We then confront our model with data from an experiment using prepared, restaurant-style meals—a good that is transparent in immediate pleasure (taste) but non-transparent in future harm (calories). Our results support the notion that strategic self-ignorance matters: nearly three of five subjects (58%) chose to ignore free information on calorie content, leading at-risk subjects to consume significantly more calories. We also find evidence consistent with our model on the determinants of strategic self-ignorance.",
author = "Linda Thunstr{\"o}m and Nordstr{\"o}m, {Leif Jonas} and Shogren, {Jason F.} and Mariah Ehmke and {van 't Veld}, Klaas",
year = "2016",
doi = "10.1007/s11166-016-9236-9",
language = "English",
volume = "52",
pages = "117--126",
journal = "Journal of Risk and Uncertainty",
issn = "0895-5646",
publisher = "Springer",
number = "2",

}

RIS

TY - JOUR

T1 - Strategic self-ignorance

AU - Thunström, Linda

AU - Nordström, Leif Jonas

AU - Shogren, Jason F.

AU - Ehmke, Mariah

AU - van 't Veld, Klaas

PY - 2016

Y1 - 2016

N2 - We examine strategic self-ignorance—the use of ignorance as an excuse to over-indulge in pleasurable activities that may be harmful to one’s future self. Our model shows that guilt aversion provides a behavioral rationale for present-biased agents to avoid information about negative future impacts of such activities. We then confront our model with data from an experiment using prepared, restaurant-style meals—a good that is transparent in immediate pleasure (taste) but non-transparent in future harm (calories). Our results support the notion that strategic self-ignorance matters: nearly three of five subjects (58%) chose to ignore free information on calorie content, leading at-risk subjects to consume significantly more calories. We also find evidence consistent with our model on the determinants of strategic self-ignorance.

AB - We examine strategic self-ignorance—the use of ignorance as an excuse to over-indulge in pleasurable activities that may be harmful to one’s future self. Our model shows that guilt aversion provides a behavioral rationale for present-biased agents to avoid information about negative future impacts of such activities. We then confront our model with data from an experiment using prepared, restaurant-style meals—a good that is transparent in immediate pleasure (taste) but non-transparent in future harm (calories). Our results support the notion that strategic self-ignorance matters: nearly three of five subjects (58%) chose to ignore free information on calorie content, leading at-risk subjects to consume significantly more calories. We also find evidence consistent with our model on the determinants of strategic self-ignorance.

U2 - 10.1007/s11166-016-9236-9

DO - 10.1007/s11166-016-9236-9

M3 - Journal article

VL - 52

SP - 117

EP - 126

JO - Journal of Risk and Uncertainty

JF - Journal of Risk and Uncertainty

SN - 0895-5646

IS - 2

ER -

ID: 162710133