Comment on Ameriks, Caplin, Leahy & Tyler (2007): Measuring Self-Control Problems

Volker Seiler

No 61, Working Papers CIE from Paderborn University, CIE Center for International Economics

Abstract: Ameriks, Caplin, Leahy & Tyler (2007) study how lack of self-control may lead to overconsumption and low wealth accumulation. For their analysis, the authors calculate difference scores from their survey questions. We review their study and highlight potential issues in the use of difference scores such as lack of reliability, validity, spurious correlation and variance restriction. The concerns we raise put into question their findings and the conclusions they draw.

Keywords: self-control; difference scores; reliability; validity; spurious correlation; variance restriction (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: A12 B41 C18 C42 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 16 pages
Date: 2013-04
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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