Model Uncertainty

Robin Musolff () and Florian Zimmermann ()
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Robin Musolff: University of Bonn, IZA
Florian Zimmermann: University of Bonn, IZA & Max Planck Institute for Research on Collective Goods

No 369, ECONtribute Discussion Papers Series from University of Bonn and University of Cologne, Germany

Abstract: Mental models help people navigate complex environments. This paper studies how people deal with model uncertainty. In an experiment, participants estimate a company’s value, facing uncertainty about which one of two models correctly determines its true value. Using a between-subjects design, we vary the degree of model complexity. Results show that in high-complexity conditions people fully neglect model uncertainty in their actions. However, their beliefs continue to reflect model uncertainty. This disconnect between beliefs and actions suggests that complexity leads to biased decision-making, while beliefs remain more nuanced. Furthermore, we show that complexity, via full uncertainty neglect, leads to higher confidence in the optimality of own actions.

Keywords: Mental Models; Beliefs; Attention; Confidence; Representations (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: D01 D83 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 112
Date: 2025-07
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-exp
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:ajk:ajkdps:369

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