Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/148458 
Year of Publication: 
2016
Citation: 
[Journal:] IZA World of Labor [ISSN:] 2054-9571 [Article No.:] 233 [Publisher:] Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA) [Place:] Bonn [Year:] 2016
Publisher: 
Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA), Bonn
Abstract: 
Standard economic theory suggests that individuals know best how to make themselves happy. Thus, policies designed to encourage “better” behaviors will only reduce people’s happiness. Recently, however, economists have explored the role of impatience, especially difficulties with delaying gratification, in several important economic choices. There is strong evidence that some people have trouble following through on investments that best serve their long-term interests. These findings open the door to policies encouraging or requiring better behaviors, which would allow people to commit to the choices they truly want to make.
Subjects: 
impatience
dynamic inconsistency
educational investment
job search
lifetime earnings
JEL: 
D91
I26
J24
J31
J62
J64
Persistent Identifier of the first edition: 
Document Type: 
Article

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