Dynamic Random Utility

Mira Frick (), Ryota Iijima () and Tomasz Strzalecki
Additional contact information
Mira Frick: Cowles Foundation, Yale University
Ryota Iijima: Cowles Foundation, Yale University, https://economics.yale.edu/people/faculty/ryota-iijima

No 2092, Cowles Foundation Discussion Papers from Cowles Foundation for Research in Economics, Yale University

Abstract: Under dynamic random utility, an agent (or population of agents) solves a dynamic decision problem subject to evolving private information. We analyze the fully general and non-parametric model, axiomatically characterizing the implied dynamic stochastic choice behavior. A key new feature relative to static or i.i.d. versions of the model is that when private information displays serial correlation, choices appear history dependent: different sequences of past choices reflect different private information of the agent, and hence typically lead to different distributions of current choices. Our axiomatization imposes discipline on the form of history dependence that can arise under arbitrary serial correlation. Dynamic stochastic choice data lets us distinguish central models that coincide in static domains, in particular private information in the form of utility shocks vs. learning, and to study inherently dynamic phenomena such as choice persistence. We relate our model to specifications of utility shocks widely used in empirical work, highlighting new modeling tradeoffs in the dynamic discrete choice literature. Finally, we extend our characterization to allow past consumption to directly affect the agent�s utility process, accommodating models of habit formation and experimentation.

Keywords: Dynamic stochastic choice; Random utility; History dependence; Serially correlated utilities; Consumption persistence; Learning (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: D81 D83 D90 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 100 pages
Date: 2017-06
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-mic, nep-ore and nep-upt
Note: Includes Supplimental Material
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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Related works:
Journal Article: Dynamic Random Utility (2019)
Working Paper: Dynamic Random Utility (2018)
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