Essays in risk [Elektronische Ressource] / von Astrid Matthey

Essays in RiskDISSERTATIONzur Erlangung des akademischen Gradesdoctor rerum politicarum(Dr. rer. pol.)im Fach Volkswirtschafteingereicht an derWirtschaftswissenschaftlichen Fakultät IHumboldt-Universität zu BerlinvonFrau Dipl. Kfm. Astrid Mattheygeboren am 21.02.1978 in JenaPräsident der Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin:Prof. Dr. Christoph MarkschiesDekan der Wirtschaftswissenschaftlichen Fakultät I:Prof. Dr. Oliver GüntherGutachter:1. Prof. Dr. Dorothea Kübler2. Priv.-Doz. Dr. Franz HubertTag der mündlichen Prüfung: 30. Januar 2007AbstractThe dissertation consists of three chapters.The first chapter considers a novel component of individual utility, which I term “ad-justment utility”. In a classroom experiment, I first show that this component of utilityexists. I then develop a model to show when and in what way adjustment utility affectsoverall utility and economic decision making. Data on HIV infections and use of condomsin Germany shows the relevance of the results.For the second chapter I conducted an experiment, which shows that individuals im-itate intentionally, even in settings where they cannot learn anything by doing so. Thiscomplements previous experimental research, which could show that individual behavioris consistent with imitation motives, but where behavior could also be explained by learn-ing motives.