Working Papers in Economics,
University of Gothenburg, Department of Economics

Abstract: By using hypothetical choice experiments, this paper presents evidence that individuals' concern for relative consumption depends on their relative consumption. Individuals with consumption levels above society's average consumption level tend to have, in general, lower concern for relative consumption. This supports Duesenberry's (1949) notion that people are more concerned with upward social comparison than with downward social comparison.

Keywords: Relative consumption; marginal degree of positionality; choice experiments; questionnaire-experimental methods

JEL-codes: C91

16 pages, June 30, 2006

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Fredrik W. Andersson, (2008), 'Is Concern for Relative Consumption a Function of Relative Consumption?', Journal of Socio Economics, vol 37, no 1, pages 353-364

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