Choice and Procrastination

Ted O' Donoghue and Matthew Rabin
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Ted O' Donoghue: Cornell University
Matthew Rabin: University of California, Berkeley

Microeconomics from EconWPA

Abstract: Recent models of procrastination due to self-control problems assume that a procrastinator considers just one option and is unaware of her self-control problems. We develop a model where a person chooses from a menu of options and is partially aware of her self-control problems. This menu model replicates earlier results and generates new ones. A person might forego completing an attractive option because she plans to complete a more attractive but never-to-be-completed option. Hence, providing a non-procrastinator additional options can induce procrastination, and a person may procrastinate worse pursuing important goals than unimportant ones.

JEL-codes: D11 D60 D74 D91 A12 B49 C70 E21 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2001-01-02
Note: 38 pages Acrobat .pdf
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Persistent link: http://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:wpa:wuwpmi:0012002

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