Complexity and Sophistication / Leandro Carvalho, Dan Silverman.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Carvalho, Leandro.

Contributor:

National Bureau of Economic Research.

Silverman, Dan.

Series:

Working Paper Series (National Bureau of Economic Research) no. w26036.

NBER working paper series no. w26036

Language:

English

Physical Description:

1 online resource: illustrations (black and white);

Place of Publication:

Cambridge, Mass. National Bureau of Economic Research 2019.

Summary:

Many financial situations present individuals with simple alternatives to solving complex problems. The value of these alternatives depends on whether individuals are sophisticated and know when they are better off opting out of complexity. We tested complexity's effects and evaluated sophistication in a large and diverse sample. We randomly assigned both complexity to portfolio problems and the offer of a simple alternative to portfolio choice. The less-skilled earn lower returns under complexity because they often opt out when the simple alternative is dominated. To interpret the findings, we develop a novel method for estimating the structural parameters of a rational inattention model. The structural estimates are consistent with substantial sophistication. Large fractions of the money that the low-skilled lose by opting out can be justified by their higher costs of attention.

Notes:

Print version record

July 2019.