Working Paper: NBER ID: w10462
Authors: Arthur van Soest; Michael Hurd
Abstract: In the experimental module of the AHEAD 1995 data, the sample is randomly split into respondents who get an open-ended question on the amount of total family consumption - with follow-up unfolding brackets (of the form: is consumption $X or more?) for those who answer don't know' or refuse' - and respondents who are immediately directed to unfolding brackets. In both cases, the entry point of the unfolding bracket sequence is randomized. These data are used to develop a nonparametric test for whether people make mistakes in answering the first bracket question, allowing for any type of selection into answering the open-ended question or not. Two well-known types of mistakes are considered: anchoring and yea-saying (or acquiescence). While the literature provides ample evidence that the entry point in the first bracket question serves as an anchor for follow-up bracket questions, it is less clear whether the answers to the first bracket question are already affected by anchoring. We reject the joint hypothesis of no anchoring and no yea-saying at the entry point. Once yea-saying is taken into account
Keywords: Anchoring; Yeasaying; Consumption Data; Survey Methodology
JEL Codes: C81; D12
Edges that are evidenced by causal inference methods are in orange, and the rest are in light blue.
| Cause | Effect |
|---|---|
| entry point of unfolding bracket questions (C70) | reported consumption (D12) |
| yeasaying (Y60) | inflated affirmative responses (C83) |
| yeasaying (Y60) | reported consumption (D12) |
| anchoring (Y60) | yeasaying (Y60) |
| initial nonresponse (C83) | consumption levels (E21) |