Behavioral Economics

Loss Aversion, Endowment Effects, and Default Bias The Issue Econs – weigh the costs and benefits of alternatives before making their choices. Humans – use costs and benefits but can be influenced by other factors when making choices. Loss Aversion, Endowment Effects, and Default Bias www.EconEdLink.org

Loss Aversion, Endowment Effects, and Default Bias Terms Endowment effect - people become attached to the item they have and so are less likely to trade it away (value it more). Loss Aversion, Endowment Effects, and Default Bias www.EconEdLink.org

Loss Aversion, Endowment Effects, and Default Bias Terms Endowment effect - people become attached to the item they have and so are less likely to trade it away (value it more). Loss Aversion – people tend to weigh losses (or perceived losses) more than gains (or perceived gains) when making decisions. Loss Aversion, Endowment Effects, and Default Bias www.EconEdLink.org

Loss Aversion, Endowment Effects, and Default Bias Choices Problem 1: In addition to whatever you own, you have been given $1,000. Now you have been asked to choose one of the following options: 50% chance to win $1,000 OR Win $500 for sure Most choose sure thing. Loss Aversion, Endowment Effects, and Default Bias www.EconEdLink.org

Loss Aversion, Endowment Effects, and Default Bias Choices Problem 2: In addition to whatever you own, you have been given $2,000. Now you have been asked to choose one of the following options: 50% chance to lose $1,000 OR Lose $500 for sure Most choose gamble. Loss Aversion, Endowment Effects, and Default Bias www.EconEdLink.org

Loss Aversion, Endowment Effects, and Default Bias Where do we start? Compare two scenarios for a new employee that begins working at a firm. Loss Aversion, Endowment Effects, and Default Bias www.EconEdLink.org

Loss Aversion, Endowment Effects, and Default Bias Offer #1 Welcome to FunCorp company. As a new employee, we are pleased to offer you a retirement savings plan. The company will match your contributions to your savings plan dollar for dollar up to 5% of your annual salary. Please contact the human resources department at extension 52 should you wish to contribute to establish a savings plan. Loss Aversion, Endowment Effects, and Default Bias www.EconEdLink.org

Loss Aversion, Endowment Effects, and Default Bias Offer #2 Welcome to FunCorp company. As a new employee, we are pleased to offer you a retirement savings plan. The company will match your contributions to your savings plan dollar for dollar up to 5% of your annual salary. In two weeks, we will automatically begin deducting 5% from your paycheck, match it with another 5%, and deposit the sum into your retirement savings account unless you contact human resources at extension 52 and request otherwise. Loss Aversion, Endowment Effects, and Default Bias www.EconEdLink.org

Loss Aversion, Endowment Effects, and Default Bias Terms Endowment effect - people become attached to the item they have and so are less likely to trade it away (value it more). Loss Aversion – people tend to weigh losses (or perceived losses) more than gains (or perceived gains) when making decisions. Default Bias – people tend to stick with the initial option that is presented when making decisions Loss Aversion, Endowment Effects, and Default Bias www.EconEdLink.org

Loss Aversion, Endowment Effects, and Default Bias Does automatic enrollment make a difference? No automatic enrollment: 37.4% Automatic enrollment: 85.9% Source: Madrian, Brigitte C., and Dennis F. Shea. 2001. “The Power of Suggestion: Inertia in 401(k) Participation and Savings Behavior”. Loss Aversion, Endowment Effects, and Default Bias www.EconEdLink.org

Comparing Econs and Humans Lesson Econs Humans 1 Use system 2 for all their decisions. Use system 1 to make many routine decisions.   Carefully weigh costs and benefits to make decisions. Make decisions on past experience or quick judgments. 2 Are not subject to cognitive biases when making decisions. Are subject to cognitive biases when making decisions and so may use anchors and fall into relativity traps. 3 Make decisions by weighing costs and benefits equally. Tend to weigh losses greater than gains. Are not influenced by their current situation when making decisions. Tend to bias to the default or to things they already have. 4 May discount costs and benefits that occur in the future. May have self-control problems and discount the future too much or be subject to present bias, causing inconsistent decisions. 5 Only use costs and benefits to make decisions. May make decisions based on fairness or for other emotional factors such as whether work is meaningful. Loss Aversion, Endowment Effects, and Default Bias www.EconEdLink.org