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Loss of control is not necessary to induce behavioral consequences of deprivation: The case of religious fasting during Ramadan

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 November 2017

Mostafa Salari Rad
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, New School for Social Research, New York, NY 10011. [email protected]@newschool.edu
Jeremy Ginges
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, New School for Social Research, New York, NY 10011. [email protected]@newschool.edu

Abstract

Pepper & Nettle argue that the more present-oriented behavior associated with a low socioeconomic status is an adaptive response to having relatively little control over the future. However, a study of fasters during Ramadan shows that self-imposed deprivation, which carries no implications regarding the ability to realize deferred rewards, is associated with loss and risk aversion.

Type
Open Peer Commentary
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2017 

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