Assenza, TizianaIdRefORCIDORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9547-1574, Cardaci, Alberto and Delli Gatti, Dominico (2021) The Leverage Self-Delusion: Perceived Wealth and Cognitive Sophistication. TSE Working Paper, n. 19-1055, Toulouse

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Abstract

Existing evidence suggests that individuals frequently misperceive the value of their wealth. We test the existence, and estimate sign and magnitude, of an inaccurate perception of individual net worth. By conducting a laboratory experiment, we find that most subjects perceive a given net worth as greater than its true value and this misperception increases for lower values of the leverage ratio i.e., liabilities-assets ratio. We identify an explanation relating this misperception to low cognitive sophistication and inattentive thinking. Finally, such wealth misperception predicts greater impatience, lower debt aversion and greater marginal propensities to consume out of positive (transitory) income shocks.

Item Type: Monograph (Working Paper)
Language: English
Date: February 2021
Place of Publication: Toulouse
JEL Classification: C91 - Laboratory, Individual Behavior
D91 - Intertemporal Consumer Choice; Life Cycle Models and Saving
Subjects: B- ECONOMIE ET FINANCE
Divisions: TSE-R (Toulouse)
Institution: Université Toulouse 1 Capitole
Site: UT1
Date Deposited: 06 Dec 2019 10:33
Last Modified: 07 Oct 2025 07:09
OAI Identifier: oai:tse-fr.eu:123746
URI: https://publications.ut-capitole.fr/id/eprint/33501

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