Motivated Skepticism

Jeanne Hagenbach and ,

No 17478, CEPR Discussion Papers from C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers

Abstract: We experimentally study how individuals read strategically-transmitted information when they have preferences over what they will learn. Subjects play disclosure games in which Receivers should interpret messages skeptically. We vary whether the state that Senders communicate about is ego-relevant or neutral for Receivers, and whether skeptical beliefs are aligned or not with what Receivers prefer believing. Skepticism is lower when skeptical beliefs are self-threatening than in neutral settings. When skeptical beliefs are self-serving, skepticism is not enhanced compared to neutral settings. These results demonstrate that individuals' exercise of skepticism depends on the conclusions of skeptical inferences.

Keywords: Disclosure games; Hard information; Unraveling result; Skepticism; Motivated beliefs (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C72 C91 D82 D91 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022-07
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