Editor's Choice Working over Time: Dynamic Inconsistency in Real Effort Tasks

S-Tier
Journal: Quarterly Journal of Economics
Year: 2015
Volume: 130
Issue: 3
Pages: 1067-1115

Score contribution per author:

2.681 = (α=2.01 / 3 authors) × 4.0x S-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

Experimental tests of dynamically inconsistent time preferences have largely relied on choices over time-dated monetary rewards. Several recent studies have failed to find the standard patterns of present bias. However, such monetary studies contain often-discussed confounds. In this article, we sidestep these confounds and investigate choices over consumption (real effort) in a longitudinal experiment. We pair this effort study with a companion monetary discounting study. We confirm very limited time inconsistency in monetary choices. However, subjects show considerably more present bias in effort. Furthermore, present bias in the allocation of work has predictive power for demand of a meaningfully binding commitment device. Therefore our findings validate a key implication of models of dynamic inconsistency, with corresponding policy implications. JEL Codes: C91, D12, D81.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:oup:qjecon:v:130:y:2015:i:3:p:1067-1115.
Journal Field
General
Author Count
3
Added to Database
2026-01-26