Graduation Year
2021
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree
Ph.D.
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
Degree Granting Department
Economics
Major Professor
Bradley Kamp, Ph.D.
Co-Major Professor
Haiyan Liu, Ph.D.
Committee Member
Lu Lu, Ph.D.
Committee Member
Xin Jin, Ph.D.
Committee Member
Daniel Zantedeschi, Ph.D.
Committee Member
Andrei Barbo, Ph.D.
Keywords
Behavioral Economics, Communication, Context Effects, Income Targeting, Prosocial Behavior
Abstract
Throughout this dissertation I explore a significant departure from the standard model of rationality known as reference-dependence. The theory reference-dependence asserts that an individual’s choice is dependent on their frame of reference established through factors divorced from their rational cost and benefit. This behavior is inefficient as individuals fail to rationally optimize their payoffs. This behavior is understudied in natural settings where isolating specific stimuli which may establish a reference is challenging. However, digital platforms contain limited stimuli which are fully observable to researchers and present an ideal setting to study the theory of reference-dependence. Thus, I introduce three new datasets of human behavior in natural settings on digital platforms to show that references direct choice in scenarios where it is irrational for them to do so.
Scholar Commons Citation
Kaisen, Joshua K., "Reference-Dependent Choice on Digital Platforms" (2021). USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/etd/9687
