Estimation of Structural Models Using Experimental Data From the Lab and the Field

Experimental methods provide powerful tools to estimate credible structural models in behavioural economics.

Charles Bellemare (Author)

9781009362634, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 9 February 2023

75 pages
22.9 x 15.2 x 0.4 cm, 0.133 kg

Behavioral economics provides a rich set of explicit models of non-classical preferences and belief formation which can be used to estimate structural models of decision making. At the same time, experimental approaches allow the researcher to exogenously vary components of the decision making environment. The synergies between behavioral and experimental economics provide a natural setting for the estimation of structural models. This Element will cover examples supporting the following arguments 1) Experimental data allows the researcher to estimate structural models under weaker assumptions and can simplify their estimation, 2) many popular models in behavioral economics can be estimated without any programming skills using existing software, 3) experimental methods are useful to validate structural models. This Element aims to facilitate adoption of structural modelling by providing Stata codes to replicate some of the empirical illustrations that are presented. Examples covered include estimation of outcome-based preferences, belief-dependent preferences and risk preferences.

1. Introduction
2. A motivating example
3. Estimation using first-order conditions
4. Estimation using discrete choice models
5. Uncertainty in structural models
6. Model Validation
7. Conclusion
8. Online Appendix.

Subject Areas: Behavioural economics [KCK], Microeconomics [KCC]