My research is rooted in behavioral economics and thus interdisciplinary intertwines economics with psychology. In my research, I apply methods like laboratory and online experiments as well as surveys and simulation games to investigate human decision making as individuals, in groups, and in organizations.

One practical application of Pay-What-You-Want is the American Museum of Natural History in New York, which I use as product in some of my projects. (picture taken by Elisa Hofmann)

In my PhD research, I explored participative pricing mechanisms, such as Pay-What-You-Want. I am fascinated by this innovative pricing mechanism, in which people pay voluntary amounts – even if they don’t have to. In particular, I investigate which circumstances trigger the voluntary payment decision.

In general, my research interests are:

  • Behavioral and Experimental Economics
  • Behavior and Decision-Making under Uncertainty
  • Prosocial Behavior and Cooperation
  • Simulation and Serious Games
  • Interpersonal Closeness
  • Participative Pricing Mechanisms, such as Pay-What-You-Want
  • Cognitive Biases
  • Resilience
  • Complex Problem-Solving
  • Social Norms
  • Audience Effect and Social Image Concerns
  • Design of Climate Change Negotiations
  • Immorality Judgments
  • Intercultural Teamwork

Publications

Work in Progress

  1. Evaluating the Methodological Robustness of Social Norm Measurements (with Deliah Bolesta) [Working Paper coming soon]
  2. Pay-What-You-Want and Uncertainty (with Tobias Regner) [Working Paper coming soon]
  3. Strategic Avoidance of Pay-What-You-Want Schemes [Working Paper coming soon]
  4. What fosters cooperation in international climate negotiations? A qualitative analysis of Model United Nations conferences [Working Paper coming soon]