DOI

https://doi.org/10.25772/X8S2-R111

Defense Date

2006

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts

Department

Economics, School of Business

First Advisor

Dr. Edward Millner

Second Advisor

Dr. David Harless

Abstract

Rational choice theory provides a blueprint for predicting individual behavior under the assumption that objectives and decisions are rationally identified and executed. Under certain conditions, actions reveal preferences and the ability to observe these preferences allows for the possibility to study the effects of subtle changes in individual constraints such as price and wealth affect preferences. For instance, recent work by Eckel and Grossman (2003), Davis, Millner and Reilly (2003), and Davis and Millner (2004) observe a preference for matching promotions over coupon rebates even when the two promotions types are strictly equivalent. An important question remaining is whether this result persists. This paper analyzes whether this seemingly anomalous behavior persists as individuals gain experience through repeated decisions in a controlled environment.

Rights

© The Author

Is Part Of

VCU University Archives

Is Part Of

VCU Theses and Dissertations

Date of Submission

June 2008

Included in

Economics Commons

Share

COinS