The University of Southampton
University of Southampton Institutional Repository

Preferences with costly Bayesian learning

Preferences with costly Bayesian learning
Preferences with costly Bayesian learning
In this paper, we study a general model of information acquisition: costly Bayesian learning. Using a menu choice framework, we provide an axiomatic characterization of the model, identify its parameters (a utility function, an increasing transformation, a second-order prior belief, and an information cost function), and behaviorally compare the costs. Our results show that the rational inattention model, which has found various applications in the literature, is a special case of the costly Bayesian learning model. We identify several behavioral conditions each of which can be used to test if the decision maker is rationally inattentive or is of a more general type Bayesian learner including those who exhibit aversion to uncertainty. We argue that our decision makers can have flexible attitudes towards the timing of resolution of uncertainty.
Ozbek, Kemal
e7edfcf5-cb17-4e64-bfa4-30fb527d2e46
Ozbek, Kemal
e7edfcf5-cb17-4e64-bfa4-30fb527d2e46

Ozbek, Kemal (2021) Preferences with costly Bayesian learning (SSRN) 43pp. (doi:10.2139/ssrn.3919508).

Record type: Monograph (Working Paper)

Abstract

In this paper, we study a general model of information acquisition: costly Bayesian learning. Using a menu choice framework, we provide an axiomatic characterization of the model, identify its parameters (a utility function, an increasing transformation, a second-order prior belief, and an information cost function), and behaviorally compare the costs. Our results show that the rational inattention model, which has found various applications in the literature, is a special case of the costly Bayesian learning model. We identify several behavioral conditions each of which can be used to test if the decision maker is rationally inattentive or is of a more general type Bayesian learner including those who exhibit aversion to uncertainty. We argue that our decision makers can have flexible attitudes towards the timing of resolution of uncertainty.

This record has no associated files available for download.

More information

Published date: 8 September 2021

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 456278
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/456278
PURE UUID: 51ff4a60-50d9-442f-8a98-f0452e7f803d
ORCID for Kemal Ozbek: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0003-3265-233X

Catalogue record

Date deposited: 27 Apr 2022 00:58
Last modified: 17 Mar 2024 03:59

Export record

Altmetrics

Download statistics

Downloads from ePrints over the past year. Other digital versions may also be available to download e.g. from the publisher's website.

View more statistics

Atom RSS 1.0 RSS 2.0

Contact ePrints Soton: eprints@soton.ac.uk

ePrints Soton supports OAI 2.0 with a base URL of http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/cgi/oai2

This repository has been built using EPrints software, developed at the University of Southampton, but available to everyone to use.

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue without changing your settings, we will assume that you are happy to receive cookies on the University of Southampton website.

×