Cues, Beliefs, and Memory

Abstract: This doctoral thesis contains four self-contained chapters. “Not so irrelevant alternatives: How cue informativeness results in cue effects” studies when and why decoys and defaults affect choice behavior. “Overestimation of information demand” demonstrates systematic overestimation of the amount of information that is considered before making a decision. “Motivated beliefs and climate attitudes” studies whether changes in the cost of a pro-environmental action affect the perceived importance of that action. “Forward looking motivated memory” investigates a potential strategic memory bias.