Irrational Random Utility Models

Fuente: arXiv
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Autori principali: Caliari, Daniele, Petri, Henrik
Natura: Preprint
Pubblicazione: 2024
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author Caliari, Daniele
Petri, Henrik
author_facet Caliari, Daniele
Petri, Henrik
contents The Random Utility Model (RUM) is the leading model to represent the aggregate choices of a heterogeneous population of preference maximizers. We show that if (and only if) preferences are sufficiently uncorrelated, RUM choices can also be generated by a population of decision makers who do not maximize any preference. In proving this result, we also characterize the general class of choices generated by such irrational populations, with applications beyond the RUM framework. We discuss the relevance of our results for the falsifiability of the rational interpretation of RUMs, the inference of individual rationality from aggregate choices, and the nature of welfare judgments.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2403_10208
institution arXiv
publishDate 2024
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Irrational Random Utility Models
Caliari, Daniele
Petri, Henrik
Theoretical Economics
The Random Utility Model (RUM) is the leading model to represent the aggregate choices of a heterogeneous population of preference maximizers. We show that if (and only if) preferences are sufficiently uncorrelated, RUM choices can also be generated by a population of decision makers who do not maximize any preference. In proving this result, we also characterize the general class of choices generated by such irrational populations, with applications beyond the RUM framework. We discuss the relevance of our results for the falsifiability of the rational interpretation of RUMs, the inference of individual rationality from aggregate choices, and the nature of welfare judgments.
title Irrational Random Utility Models
topic Theoretical Economics
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2403.10208