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Risk aversion, Experiments, Elicitation methods, Heterogeneity, C90, C81,

CIRANOLe CIRANO est un organisme sans but lucratif constitué en vertu de la Loi des compagnies du Québec. Le

We introduce a spatial cost topology in the network formation model analyzed by Jackson and Wolinsky, Journal of Economic Theory (1996), 71: 44-74. This cost topology might represent geographical, social, or individual differences. It describes variable costs of establishing social network connections. Participants form links based on a cost-benefit analysis. We examine the pairwise stable networks within this spatial environment. Incentives vary enough to show a rich pattern of emerging behavior. We also investigate the subgame perfect implementation of pairwise stable and efficient networks. We construct a multistage extensive form game that describes the formation of links in our spatial environment. Finally, we identify the conditions under which the subgame perfect Nash equilibria of these network formation games are stable.JEL classification: A14, C70, D20We are very grateful for the constructive comments of Matt Jackson and an anonymous referee. We also like to thank Vince Crawford, Marco Slikker, Edward Droste, Hans Haller, Dimitrios Diamantaras, and Sudipta Sarangi for comments on previous drafts of this paper. We acknowledge Jay Hogan for his programming support.

The authors report the results of an experiment designed to measure the impact of different forms of subsidies on the demand for postsecondary education financing among a sample of adults ages 18–55 in Canada. The experiment presents subjects with a series of choices involving trade-offs between cash payments and grants or loans earmarked for full or part-time education. In addition, the experiment includes experimental measures of time and risk preferences, and an extensive survey of experience and attitudes. This article focuses on the role of a person's attitudes toward debt (debt aversion) and experience with debt ( debt use) in the decision to take up subsidized loans for postsecondary education. Using survey measures, the authors find no evidence that debt aversion is an important barrier to investment in postsecondary education. In addition, subjects with experience carrying and managing debt are more willing than others to take on additional debt to finance postsecondary education.

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This paper presents the results of laboratory experiments that explore the network formation process. Performances of three institutions, each derived from theoretical models found in the literature, are compared. All three institutions are found to generate similar levels of efficiency. In hospitable environments, the institutions achieve 85% efficiency, but all three fail to generate any positive surplus when stress tested. Copyright Springer-Verlag Berlin/Heidelberg 2004Network formation, experimental economics, institutional design,