In Equations We Trust? Formula Learning Effects on the Exponential Growth Bias in Household Finance Decisions

Decision Analysis, 14(3), 170-186, 2017

42 Pages Posted: 2 Apr 2014 Last revised: 10 Mar 2018

See all articles by Bryan Foltice

Bryan Foltice

Butler University - Lacy School of Business

Thomas Langer

University of Muenster - Finance Center

Date Written: January 23, 2016

Abstract

This paper evaluates the possible benefits and drawbacks of the formal formula learning of compound growth as it pertains to eliminating, or at least reducing, the exponential growth bias in various household savings and debt decisions. In our main experimental study, we determine if the ability to calculate the simple compound savings formula only assists in its direct area of application with an available calculator, or if this knowledge extends into similar exponentially-based savings and debt decisions when either a calculator is prohibited or when the formula is unknown. In the process of tackling this research question, we develop a measure for the exponential growth bias that naturally extends over different tasks and parameter settings. Our findings suggest that learning the compound savings formula does much more than eliminate the exponential growth bias for individuals in the savings domain with an available calculator. In fact, we find evidence that these individuals post less biased savings and debt estimates in the absence of a calculator, suggesting that the knowledge of this formula may aid in developing a more general, intuitive grasp of exponential effects. On the other hand, we find that too much dependence on these formulas can have adverse effects, as a number of participants who knew the compound savings formula mistakenly applied a variation of it in the debt domain leading to insensible answers well above the initial loan balance.

Keywords: Behavioral Finance, Exponential Growth Bias, Amortization Bias, Financial Decision Making

JEL Classification: D14

Suggested Citation

Foltice, Bryan and Langer, Thomas, In Equations We Trust? Formula Learning Effects on the Exponential Growth Bias in Household Finance Decisions (January 23, 2016). Decision Analysis, 14(3), 170-186, 2017, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2419035 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2419035

Bryan Foltice (Contact Author)

Butler University - Lacy School of Business ( email )

Indianapolis, IN 46208
United States

Thomas Langer

University of Muenster - Finance Center ( email )

Universitatsstr. 14-16
Muenster, 48143
Germany
+49 251 83 22033 (Phone)

Do you have negative results from your research you’d like to share?

Paper statistics

Downloads
190
Abstract Views
1,340
Rank
286,584
PlumX Metrics