Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2012
Abstract
We examine the role of higher order beliefs in asset markets where coordination between a buyer and seller can lead to gains to trade. The scenarios are modeled such that trader’s strategies do not only depend upon their beliefs of underlying economic phenomena, but also upon the others’ beliefs regarding the beliefs of themselves. Under certain parameters the breakdown of coordination is predicted–even when both traders are certain the underlying phenomena dictates trade is advantageous. We demonstrate the equilibrium predictions can be constructed via a small number of iterated thought exercises. The experimental design allows us to control for various behavioral phenomena and examine subjects’ decisions across different accounting regimes as to tease out strategic uncertainty due solely to information asymmetry. In this setting we find evidence supporting higher order beliefs. An implication is that the lack of uniformity leads to lack of common knowledge of the beliefs of others, which in turn leads to the spreading of inefficient outcomes.
Recommended Citation
Shields, T.W. and Xin, B. (2012). Higher-order beliefs in simple trading models. ESI Working Paper 12-18. Retrieved from http://digitalcommons.chapman.edu/esi_working_papers/71
Comments
Working Paper 12-18