Intrinsic Information Preferences and Skewness

Yusufcan Masatlioglu, Yeşim Orhun and Collin Raymond

American Economic Review, 2023, vol. 113, issue 10, 2615-44

Abstract: We examine whether people have an intrinsic preference for negatively skewed or positively skewed information structures and how these preferences relate to intrinsic preferences for informativeness. The results from lab experiments show a strong intrinsic preference for positively skewed information and suggest that providing such information can improve information uptake. Evidence from field studies in decision- and ego-relevant contexts replicates these findings. We discuss our findings through the lens of existing theories and the potential trade-offs in information provision policies.

JEL-codes: C91 C93 D12 D82 D83 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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DOI: 10.1257/aer.20171474

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