A concern about the contingent valuation method (CVM) is the finding that hypothetical and actual payments often differ. In particular, hypothetical payments are generally higher than actual payments resulting in “hypothetical bias”. Many methods have been proposed for reducing this bias,...

Hypothetical bias is the discrepancy between stated preferences and actual choices. As such, it is one of the key issues regarding the use of hypothetical survey methods and therefore highly relevant for economists in understanding human behavior and refining policy interventions. Hypothetical...

In a controlled lab experiment, we investigate hypothetical biases in the value of time by comparing stated preference (SP) and revealed preference (RP) values attached to unexpected waiting times. The SP and RP choice sets are identical in terms of design with the only difference being that the...

This paper explores whether a truth-telling promise can work to reduce the hypothetical bias in preference elicitation. Using an induced value experiment in China with a random nth-price auction, the author finds: 1) Hypothetical bias exists in a random nth-price auction with induced values and...

Based on a survey among more than 5,000 German household heads, this article investigates their willingness to pay (WTP) for avoiding power outages using Contingent-Valuation-Methods (CVM). Alternatively, we ask respondents to estimate the WTP of a hypothetical household. This...

We investigate whether the value of time (VOT) depends on when the corresponding preferences are measured: in advance, just before, or after the time period for which the time preferences are being evaluated. We find that the VOT is highest when elicited just before the time period. This is an...

Primarily because of the hypothetical character of interview situations, respondents are often unable to state their true willingness to pay (WTP). This inability results in the so-called hypothetical bias. To address this bias, incentive-compatible methods have been proposed, but such methods...

Evidence of Illusion of Control - the fact that people believe to have control over pure chance events - is a recurrent finding in experimental psychology. Results in economics find instead little to no support. In this paper we test whether this dissonant result across disciplines is due to the...

After several decades of academic research on the contingent valuation (CV) method a consistent behavioral explanation of 'hypothetical bias' is still lacking. Based on evidence from economics, economic psychology and the political sciences, I propose an explanation that is based on two simple...