Memorandum,
Oslo University, Department of Economics

Abstract: This paper has a dual purpose. First, I present a new modeling of partial naivete, and apply this to the analysis of procrastination. The decision maker is assumed to have stationary behavior and to be partially naive in the sense of perceiving that his current preferences may persist in the future. The behavioral implications of such partial naivete differ from those of related literature. Second, I suggest a general principle for welfare analysis in multi-self settings through a new application of Pareto-dominance, which is motivated by the existence of time-inconsistency and coincides with dominance relations used elsewhere in game theory. In the case of procrastination, it leads to a clear welfare conclusion: Being partially naive reduces welfare.

Keywords: Procrastination; partial naivete; time-inconsistency; game theory; behavioral welfare economics

JEL-codes: C70; D11; D60; D74; D91; E21

26 pages, February 1, 2007

Full text files

Memo-02-2007.pdf  

Download statistics

• Oslo University, Department of Economics
• Ordering Working Papers
• Home page for this series

Questions (including download problems) about the papers in this series should be directed to Mari Strønstad Øverås ()
Report other problems with accessing this service to Sune Karlsson ().

This page generated on 2024-02-05 17:13:11.