Testing consumer theory: Evidence from a natural field experiment

Maja Adena, Steffen Huck and Imran Rasul

Discussion Papers, Research Unit: Economics of Change from WZB Berlin Social Science Center

Abstract: We present evidence from a natural field experiment designed to shed light on whether individual behavior is consistent with a neoclassical model of utility maximization subject to budget constraints. We do this through the lens of a field experiment on charitable giving. We find that the behavior of at least 80% of individuals, on both the extensive and intensive margins, can be rationalized within a standard neoclassical choice model in which individuals have preferences, defined over own consumption and their contribution towards the charitable good, satisfying the axioms of revealed preference.

Keywords: natural field experiment; revealed preference (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C93 D01 D12 D64 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2017
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-exp and nep-upt
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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Journal Article: Testing consumer theory: evidence from a natural field experiment (2017)
Journal Article: Testing consumer theory: evidence from a natural field experiment (2017)
Working Paper: Testing Consumer Theory: Evidence From a Natural Field Experiment (2017)
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:zbw:wzbeoc:spii2017309

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