Yesterday's Expectation of Tomorrow Determines What You Do Today: The Role of Reference-Dependent Utility from Expectations

Astrid Matthey
2008 Social Science Research Network  
The paper introduces the concept of adjustment utility, that is, reference-dependent utility from expectations. It offers an explanation for observed preferences that cannot be explained with existing models, and yields new predictions for individual decision making. The model gives a simple explanation for, e.g., why people are reluctant to change their plans even when these turn out to be unexpectedly costly; people's aversion towards positive but false information, which cannot be explained
more » ... ith previous models; and the increasing acceptance of risks when people get used to them. JEL classification: D11, D81, D84, C99
doi:10.2139/ssrn.920997 fatcat:btffwwh4frcndm4luvjolco6hq