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Crowdsourcing peer information to change spending behavior

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  • D’Acunto, Francesco
  • Rossi, Alberto G.
  • Weber, Michael

Abstract

We isolate the information channel of peer effects in consumption in a setting that excludes a role for common shocks or social pressure—a spending panel paired with crowdsourced information about anonymous “peers” elicited at different times. Consumers converge to peers’ spending, and more so when peer signals are more informative. Convergence is asymmetric: within 12 months of information provision, overspenders close 17% and underspenders 5% of their gap relative to peers. We exploit the quasi-random assignment to peer groups in an instrumental-variable strategy and implement an experiment for external validity. Our results are consistent with information-based theories of overconsumption.

Suggested Citation

  • D’Acunto, Francesco & Rossi, Alberto G. & Weber, Michael, 2024. "Crowdsourcing peer information to change spending behavior," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 157(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jfinec:v:157:y:2024:i:c:s0304405x24000813
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jfineco.2024.103858
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Social finance; Visibility bias; Conspicuous consumption; Robo-advising; FinTech; Information economics; Household finance;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D12 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Consumer Economics: Empirical Analysis
    • D14 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Household Saving; Personal Finance
    • D91 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics - - - Role and Effects of Psychological, Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Factors on Decision Making
    • E22 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Consumption, Saving, Production, Employment, and Investment - - - Investment; Capital; Intangible Capital; Capacity
    • G41 - Financial Economics - - Behavioral Finance - - - Role and Effects of Psychological, Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Factors on Decision Making in Financial Markets

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