• Media type: Report; E-Book
  • Title: Sophistication about self-control
  • Contributor: Cobb-Clark, Deborah A. [Author]; Dahmann, Sarah Christina [Author]; Kamhöfer, Daniel A. [Author]; Schildberg-Hörisch, Hannah [Author]
  • imprint: Berlin: Deutsches Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung (DIW), 2021
  • Language: English
  • Keywords: self-control ; present bias ; D91 ; D01 ; commitment devices ; naiveté ; sophistication
  • Origination:
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  • Description: We propose a broadly applicable empirical approach to classify individuals as time-consistent versus native or sophisticated regarding their self-control limitations. Operationalizing our approach based on nationally representative data reveals that self-control problems are pervasive and that most people are at least partly aware of their limited self-control. Compared to naifs, sophisticates have higher IQs, better educated parents, and are more likely to take up commitment devices. Accounting for both the level and awareness of self-control limitations has predictive power beyond one-dimensional notions of self-control that neglect awareness. Importantly, sophistication fully compensates for self-control problems when choices involve immediate costs and later benefits. Raising people's awareness of their own self-control limitations may thus assist them in overcoming any adverse consequences.
  • Access State: Open Access