Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/27152 
Year of Publication: 
2007
Series/Report no.: 
Bonn Econ Discussion Papers No. 11/2007
Publisher: 
University of Bonn, Bonn Graduate School of Economics (BGSE), Bonn
Abstract: 
This experiment explores whether individuals know that other people are biased. We confirm that overestimation of abilities is a pervasive problem, but observe that most people are not aware of it, i.e. they think others are unbiased. We investigate several explanations for this result. As a first one, we discuss a possible unfamiliarity with the task and the subjects' inability to distinguish between random mistakes and a real bias. Second, we show how the relation between a subject's belief about others and his belief about himself might be driven by a false consensus effect or self-correction mechanism. Third, we identify a self-serving bias when comparing how a subject evaluates his own and other people's biases.
Subjects: 
Bias
Overconfidence
Beliefs
Experimental Economics
Self-Serving Bias
JEL: 
D83
C91
D01
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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