Working Paper: NBER ID: w24797
Authors: Stefano Dellavigna
Abstract: What is the role of structural estimation in behavioral economics? I discuss advantages, and limitations, of the work in Structural Behavioral Economics. I also cover common modeling choices and how to get started. Among the advantages, I argue that structural estimation builds on, and expands, a classical behavioral tool, simple calibrations, and that it benefits from the presence of a few parsimonious behavioral models which can be taken to the data. Estimation is also well suited for experimental work, common in behavioral economics, as it can lead to improvements in the experimental design. In addition, at a time where policy implications of behavioral work are increasingly discussed, it is important to ground these policy implications in (estimated) models. Structural work, however, has important limitations, which are relevant to its behavioral applications. Estimation takes much longer and the extra degree of complexity can make it difficult to know which of a series of assumptions is driving the results. For related reasons, it is also easy to over-reach with the welfare implications. Taking this into account, I provide a partial how-to guide to structural behavioral economics, covering: (i) the choice of estimation method; (ii) the modeling of heterogeneity; (iii) identification and sensitivity. Finally, I discuss common issues for the estimation of leading behavioral models. I illustrate this discussion with selected coverage of existing work in the literature.
Keywords: No keywords provided
JEL Codes: C1; C9; D03; D9
Edges that are evidenced by causal inference methods are in orange, and the rest are in light blue.
| Cause | Effect |
|---|---|
| structural estimation (C51) | calibration of behavioral models (C99) |
| calibration of behavioral models (C99) | improved out-of-sample predictions (C52) |
| improved out-of-sample predictions (C52) | policy implications (D78) |
| structural estimation (C51) | nuanced understanding of behavioral parameters (D91) |
| nuanced understanding of behavioral parameters (D91) | better welfare evaluations (D69) |
| structural estimation (C51) | rigorous testing of behavioral models against empirical data (C52) |
| rigorous testing of behavioral models against empirical data (C52) | significance of behavioral insights in economic theory (D91) |
| structural estimation (C51) | reliable estimates (C13) |
| reliable estimates (C13) | welfare implications (I30) |
| accuracy of underlying assumptions (C51) | welfare implications (I30) |