German Title: Beiträge zur Verhaltensökonomik und zur experimentellen Wirtschaftsforschung

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Abstract

Economic theory grounds on the assumption of the homo oeconomicus, the rational decision-maker who is only maximizing his own utility. Economic experiments have shown many di fferent, large, and persistent deviations form the ideal of the homo oeconomicus. Experimental economics has shown that many subjects care about fairness and the payoff or well-being of others, that they behave reciprocal, i.e. that they reward cooperation and punish defection, even if this involves costs to them. Departing from pure-self interest, behavioral economists try to fi nd new models and assumptions and fi nd themselves in the tension between rational decision-making and emotional or motivational factors guiding human behavior. This dissertation presents four essays on behavioral and experimental economics.

Translation of abstract (English)

Economic theory grounds on the assumption of the homo oeconomicus, the rational decision-maker who is only maximizing his own utility. Economic experiments have shown many di fferent, large, and persistent deviations form the ideal of the homo oeconomicus. Experimental economics has shown that many subjects care about fairness and the payoff or well-being of others, that they behave reciprocal, i.e. that they reward cooperation and punish defection, even if this involves costs to them. Departing from pure-self interest, behavioral economists try to fi nd new models and assumptions and fi nd themselves in the tension between rational decision-making and emotional or motivational factors guiding human behavior. This dissertation presents four essays on behavioral and experimental economics.