
Abstract The article presents a theory that I denote “Relative Thinking Theory,” which claims that people consider relative differences and not only absolute differences when making various economics decisions, even in those cases where the rational model dictates that people should consider only absolute differences. The article reviews experimental evidence of this behavior, discusses how we can formalize this behavior, and addresses several issues related to relative thinking. Finally, the article explains why firms seem to respond to relative thinking of consumers, and suggests additional implications of relative thinking for economics and management.
Relative thinking, relative differences, behavioral decision making, behavioral economics, psychological economics, Weber's law, absolute differences, percentages, ratios, jel: jel:M30, jel: jel:L10, jel: jel:C91, jel: jel:A12, jel: jel:D10
Relative thinking, relative differences, behavioral decision making, behavioral economics, psychological economics, Weber's law, absolute differences, percentages, ratios, jel: jel:M30, jel: jel:L10, jel: jel:C91, jel: jel:A12, jel: jel:D10
| selected citations These citations are derived from selected sources. This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | 49 | |
| popularity This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network. | Top 10% | |
| influence This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | Top 10% | |
| impulse This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network. | Average |
