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How to measure time preferences in children – A comparison of two methods

Author

Listed:
  • Silvia Angerer
  • Daniela Glätzle-Rützler
  • Philipp Lergetporer
  • Matthias Sutter
Abstract
We measure time preferences in a sample of 561 children aged seven to eleven years. Using a within-subject design we compare the behavior of our subjects in two distinct experimental tasks: a standard choice list with multiple decisions and a simpler time-investment-exercise requiring one decision only. We find that both measures yield very similar aggregate results, correlate significantly within subjects and can be explained by basically the same explanatory variables. Advantages and disadvantages of both measures as well as gender differences are discussed. Our findings are relevant for the design of experiments to measure time preferences.

Suggested Citation

  • Silvia Angerer & Daniela Glätzle-Rützler & Philipp Lergetporer & Matthias Sutter, 2015. "How to measure time preferences in children – A comparison of two methods," ifo Working Paper Series 207, ifo Institute - Leibniz Institute for Economic Research at the University of Munich.
  • Handle: RePEc:ces:ifowps:_207
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • C91 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Laboratory, Individual Behavior
    • D03 - Microeconomics - - General - - - Behavioral Microeconomics: Underlying Principles
    • B41 - Schools of Economic Thought and Methodology - - Economic Methodology - - - Economic Methodology

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