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Discounting Behaviour and the Magnitude Effect: Evidence from a Field Experiment in Denmark
Author(s) -
Andersen Steffen,
Harrison Glenn W.,
Lau Morten I.,
Rutström E. Elisabet
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
economica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.532
H-Index - 65
eISSN - 1468-0335
pISSN - 0013-0427
DOI - 10.1111/ecca.12028
Subject(s) - magnitude (astronomy) , discounting , econometrics , economics , population , field experiment , statistics , mathematics , demography , physics , finance , astronomy , sociology
We evaluate the claim that individuals exhibit a magnitude effect in their discounting behaviour, where higher discount rates are inferred from choices made with lower principals, all else being equal. If the magnitude effect is quantitatively significant, it is not appropriate to use one discount rate that is independent of the scale of the project for cost–benefit analysis and capital budgeting. Using data from a field experiment in Denmark, we find statistically significant evidence of a magnitude effect that is much smaller than is claimed. This evidence surfaces only if one controls for unobserved individual heterogeneity in the population.