On the Curvature of the Reporting Function from Objective Reality to Subjective Feelings

Andrew J. Oswald

No 3344, IZA Discussion Papers from Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA)

Abstract: I suggest the idea of a reporting function, r(.), from reality to feelings. The ‘happiness’ literature claims we have demonstrated diminishing marginal utility of income. I show not, and that knowing r(.)’s curvature is crucial. A quasi-experiment on heights is studied.

Keywords: height; diminishing marginal utility; money; concavity (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I3 D1 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-ltv and nep-upt
Date: 2008-02
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Published in: Economics Letters, 2008, 100 (3), 369-372

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Related works:
Working Paper: On the Curvature of the Reporting Function from Objective Reality to Subjective Feelings (2008)
Journal Article: On the curvature of the reporting function from objective reality to subjective feelings (2008)
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