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Temperature and decisions: evidence from 207,000 court cases

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journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-09, 13:08 authored by Anthony Heyes, Soodeh Saberian
We analyze the impact of outdoor temperature on high-stakes decisions (immigration adjudications) made by professional decision-makers (US immigration judges). In our preferred specification, which includes spatial, temporal and judge fixed effects, and controls for various potential confounders, a 10 °F degree increase in case-day temperature reduces decisions favorable to the applicant by 6.55%. This is despite judgements being made indoors, 'protected' by climate-control. Results are consistent with established links from temperature to mood and risk appetite and have important implications for evaluating the influence of climate on 'cognitive output'.

History

Publication status

  • Published

File Version

  • Accepted version

Journal

American Economic Journal: Applied Economics

ISSN

1945-7782

Publisher

American Economics Association

Issue

2

Volume

11

Page range

238-65

Department affiliated with

  • Economics Publications

Full text available

  • Yes

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2018-05-03

First Open Access (FOA) Date

2019-04-11

First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date

2018-05-02

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