Asymmetric information about rivals' types in standard auctions: An experiment

James Andreoni, University of California, San Diego
Yeon-Koo Che, Columbia University
Jinwoo Kim, Yonsei University

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Discussion Paper 0506-27

Abstract

This paper studies experimentally how information about rivals' types affects bidding behavior in first- and second-price auctions. The comparative static hypotheses associated with information about rivals enables us to test the relevance of such information as well as the general predictions of the auction theory, by providing an effective means to control for risk aversion and other behavioral motives that were difficult to control for in previous experiments. Our experimental evidence provides strong support for the theory, and sheds light on the roles of risk aversion and the spite motive in first- and second-price auctions, respectively.