Arbeitspapier

Imitation under stress

Imitating the best strategy from the previous period has been shown to be an important heuristic, in particular in relatively complex environments. In this experiment we test whether subjects are more likely to use imitation if they are under stress. Subjects play a repeated Cournot oligopoly. Treatments are time pressure within the task and distractions through a second task (a Stroop-task) that has to be performed as well and influences payment. We measure stress levels through salivary cortisol measurements and through measuring the heart rate. Our main findings are that time pressure and distraction can indeed raise physiological stress levels of subjects within our task. More importantly from an economic perspective, we can also observe a corresponding behavioral change that is indicative of imitation.

Language
Englisch

Bibliographic citation
Series: Discussion Paper Series ; No. 556

Classification
Wirtschaft
Subject
stress
cortisol
heart rate
imitation
experiment

Event
Geistige Schöpfung
(who)
Buckert, Magdalena
Oechssler, Jörg
Schwieren, Christiane
Event
Veröffentlichung
(who)
University of Heidelberg, Department of Economics
(where)
Heidelberg
(when)
2014

DOI
doi:10.11588/heidok.00016531
Handle
URN
urn:nbn:de:bsz:16-heidok-165312
Last update
10.03.2025, 11:43 AM CET

Data provider

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Object type

  • Arbeitspapier

Associated

  • Buckert, Magdalena
  • Oechssler, Jörg
  • Schwieren, Christiane
  • University of Heidelberg, Department of Economics

Time of origin

  • 2014

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