Temperature and Decisions: Evidence from 207,000 Court Cases

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Heyes, Anthony; Saberian, Soodeh
• 署名单位: University of Ottawa
• 刊物名称: AMERICAN ECONOMIC JOURNAL-APPLIED ECONOMICS
• ISSN/ISSBN: 1945-7782
• DOI: 10.1257/app.20170223
• 发表日期: 2019
• 页码: 238-265
• 关键词: Cognitive performance; resource depletion; air-pollution; MENTAL-HEALTH; heat-stress; mood; humidity; fatigue; weather; PRODUCTIVITY

摘要

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 degrees F degree increase in case-day temperature reduces decisions favorable to the applicant by 6.55 percent. 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. (JEL K37, K41, Q54)