Personality traits such as cooperativeness, competitiveness, trust and compassion are crucial for our society.  Without a certain level of trust for example, commerce would be impossible (Arrow 1972). At which age do these traits appear and how do they manifest? Is it possible to influence their development? Can we induce specific behaviors among children e.g. in order to support children from problematic backgrounds? How can we promote economically responsible behavior? Are long term effects possible?

Questions of this kind will be studied in our block seminar.

With the support at our chair, students develop their own ideas for the design of an economic experiment or field of study.

Impulses may be received from Nobel Prize awarded economist James Heckman (fostering of young children), Ernst Fehr (egalitarianism and fairness), Uri Gneezy (gender differences), Matthias Sutter (delay of gratification), and Walter Mischel (Marshmallow Experiment). 

Students may work individually or in pairs of two. Working in teams of two is being recommended.

The seminar starts with an introductory meeting at the beginning of the semester. Ideas for experiments or field studies will be presented in a block event in December 2014, each presentation lasting about 25 minutes. Seminar papers of 8 – 10 pages are to be handed in by March 1st, 2015.

Grades will be based on the quality of presentations (30%), discussions in the seminar (20%), and the seminar paper (50%). Participation will be limited to 12 students.

Please apply until September 15th via the centralized system.  

You will be notified about acceptance by the end of September.

For further questions, please contact Jannis Engel.