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People do not demand commitment devices because they might not work.

Authors :
Westphal, Ryan
Source :
Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization. Dec2024, Vol. 228, pN.PAG-N.PAG. 1p.
Publication Year :
2024

Abstract

Low demand for pure commitment in real markets presents a puzzle. A possible explanation is that individuals are unaware of their present bias and their need for commitment. I test the relationship between perceived intertemporal inconsistency and demand for commitment in a novel context, volunteering. I run an experiment that successfully corrects subjects' beliefs about their present bias and find that this increased awareness does not increase demand for commitment. This low demand for commitment is not driven by a perceived lack of present bias, but rather subjects' accurate belief that they may fail to follow through, even with the offered level of commitment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
01672681
Volume :
228
Database :
Academic Search Index
Journal :
Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
181117199
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jebo.2024.106756