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Willful ignorance: A perspective from economics
Jason Dana1, Joël J van der Weele2
1University of Colorado, Leeds School of Business, Boulder, CO, USA.
Current Opinion in Psychology
|December 1, 2025
Summary
People sometimes avoid information that could help others, even if it costs them nothing. This study explores willful ignorance in prosocial decisions using economic principles and experimental evidence.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral Economics
- Decision Theory
Background:
- Prosocial behavior is often studied assuming individuals seek all relevant information.
- However, individuals may strategically avoid information, particularly when it relates to decisions affecting others.
Purpose of the Study:
- To define and explore the phenomenon of willful ignorance in prosocial decision-making.
- To examine the economic motivations behind information avoidance.
- To present empirical evidence supporting the existence of this behavior.
Main Methods:
- Economic theory, focusing on utility maximization and the instrumental value of information.
- A paradigmatic experimental design to elicit information avoidance in prosocial contexts.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated empirical evidence for willful ignorance in prosocial decisions.
- Identified key motives driving individuals to avoid potentially relevant information.
- Provided a formal definition of information avoidance within economic frameworks.
Conclusions:
- Willful ignorance is a relevant factor in prosocial decision-making, challenging traditional economic assumptions.
- Understanding information avoidance is crucial for designing effective interventions and policies.
- Future research should explore diverse applications and underlying psychological mechanisms.
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