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Trial Title Willful Ignorance and Reference-Dependence of Self-Image Concerns Naive or Forward-Looking? Belief Dynamics and Feedback Avoidance
Trial Status in_development completed
Abstract Based on theoretical predictions, I conduct a laboratory experiment to explore whether (a) self-image concerns are reference-dependent and (b) loss aversion applies to self-image concerns. I let subjects work on an IQ test, a self-image-relevant task, and induce an exogenous shift in complexity designed to put them at either gain or loss in self-image. Then, I elicit their willingness to acquire feedback. Considering potentially asymmetric belief updating, I analyze whether subjects who experience loss in self-image are more likely to acquire feedback compared to those with a loss in this domain. Based on theoretical predictions, I conduct a laboratory experiment to explore whether (a) self-image concerns are reference-dependent and (b) loss aversion applies to self-image concerns. I let subjects work on an IQ test, a self-image-relevant task, and induce an exogenous shift in complexity designed to put them at either gain or loss in self-image. Then, I elicit their willingness to acquire feedback. Considering potentially asymmetric belief updating, I analyze whether subjects who experience loss in self-image are more likely to acquire feedback compared to those with a loss in this domain. Update 20.07.2026: Title updated to match the current manuscript. The original preregistered hypotheses and analysis plan remain unchanged.
Last Published June 09, 2021 01:01 PM July 20, 2026 06:44 AM
Building on Existing Work No
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