Who is involved in the MELESSA program?
The linking of different disciplines promotes the inter-faculty exchange of scientists and enables innovative research at a high level.
About us
MELESSA was founded within the framework of the Excellence Initiative by 19 professors of LMU Munich, from five different faculties under the direction of Prof. Dr. Klaus M. Schmidt (VWL). The laboratory was put into operation in January 2008.
By linking the different disciplines, the inter-faculty exchange of scientists and innovative research are specifically promoted. Such a strong participation of different disciplines in one laboratory offers best conditions for versatile research on a high level.
The laboratory consists of several laboratory rooms. The air-conditioned large laboratory room contains a permanently installed network of 25 computers. Two other rooms are used to conduct audio, video and group experiments. In addition, there are 25 tablet computers that can be used for mobile experiments outside the lab. With this equipment, MELESSA is one of the most modern experimental laboratories in Germany.
As a student assistant in the MELESSA team
As a Hiwi at MELESSA you have the chance to actively participate in scientific research and learn from the experience of experimenters from different disciplines. Key tasks include recruiting and managing participants, as well as ensuring that experiments run smoothly. One is always prepared and supported by the management of the laboratory and experienced Hiwis. At the regular "Hiwi meetings" you can address problems and new ideas for improvement and develop the lab further as a team. The friendly chair of MELESSA and the diverse work create a professional and positive atmosphere that allows personal and professional development and provides valuable insights into science for students.
Publications made possible by the research laboratory
- Lohse, T., & Qari, S. (2021). Gender differences in face-to-face deceptive behavior. Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, 187, 1-15. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jebo.2021.03.026
- Schindler, D., & Westcott, M. (2021). Shocking Racial Attitudes: Black G.I.s in Europe. The Review of Economic Studies, 88(1), 489–520. https://doi.org/10.1093/restud/rdaa039
- Schmidt, K. M., & Ockenfels, A. (2021). Focusing climate negotiations on a uniform common commitment can promote cooperation. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 118(11). https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2013070118
- Kugler, K. G., & Coleman, P. T. (2020). Get Complicated: The Effects of Complexity on Conversations over Potentially Intractable Moral Conflicts. Negotiation and Conflict Management Research, 13(3), 211-230. https://doi.org/10.1111/ncmr.12192
- Litterscheidt, R., & Streich, D. (2020). Financial education and digital asset management: What's in the black box?. Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Economics, 87, 101573. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socec.2020.101573
- Batrancea, L. et al. (2019). Trust and power as determinants of tax compliance across 44 nations. Journal of Economic Psychology, 74, 102191. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joep.2019.102191
- Cagala, T., Glogowsky, U., Grimm, V., Rincke, J., & Tuset-Cueva, A. (2019). Rent extraction and prosocial behavior. Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, 166, 709-723. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jebo.2019.08.008
- Doyle, L., & Schindler, D. (2019). μCap: connecting FaceReaderTM to z-Tree. Journal of the Economic Science Association 5(1), 136-141. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40881-019-00065-1
- Grimm, S. (2019). Effects of choice observability on risk taking: The role of norms. Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Economics, 80, 34-46. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socec.2019.03.003
- Grimm, S., & Klimm, F. (2019). Blaming the refugees? Experimental evidence on responsibility attribution. Journal of Economic Psychology, 72, 156-178. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joep.2019.03.004
- Klimm, F. (2019). Suspicious success - Cheating, inequality acceptance, and political preferences. European Economic Review, 117, 36-55. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.euroecorev.2019.04.008
- Klimm, F., & Loipersberger, F. (2019). Choice as justification for dishonesty. Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Economics, 81, 185-194. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socec.2019.06.006
- Kocher, M, Lucks, K.E., & Schindler, D. (2019). Unleashing Animal Spirits: Self-Control and Overpricing in Experimental Asset Markets. The Review of Financial Studies, 32(6), 2149–2178. https://doi.org/10.1093/rfs/hhy109
- Martinsson, P., Persson, E. (2019). Physician behavior and conditional altruism: the effects of payment system and uncertain health benefit. Theory Decis 87, 365–387 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11238-019-09714-7
- Schwardmann P., & van der Weele J. (2019). Deception and self-deception. Nature Human Behaviour, 3, 1055–1061. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41562-019-0666-7
- Dwenger, N., & Lohse, T. (2018). Do individuals successfully cover up their lies? Evidence from a compliance experiment. Journal of Economic Psychology, 71, 74-87. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joep.2018.08.007
- Fiederling, K., Schiller, J., & von Bieberstein, F. (2018). Can we Trust Consumers' Survey Answers when Dealing with Insurance Fraud? Schmalenbach Business Review, 70(2), 111-147. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41464-017-0041-z
- Hartmann, F. G. H., & Schreck, P. (2018). Rankings, Performance, and Sabotage: The Moderating Effects of Target Setting. European Accounting Review, 27(2), 363-382. https://doi.org/10.1080/09638180.2016.1244015
- Kocher, M. G., Lahno, A. M., & Trautmann, S. T. (2018). Ambiguity aversion is not universal. European Economic Review, 101, 268-283. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.euroecorev.2017.09.016
- Kocher, M. G., Schudy, S., & Spantig, L. (2018). I lie? We lie! Why? Experimental evidence on a dishonesty shift in groups. Management Science, 64(9): 3971-4470. https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2017.2800
- Kocher, M. G., Tan, F., & Yu, J. (2018). Providing global public goods: Electoral delegation and cooperation. Economic Inquiry, 56(1), 381-397. https://doi.org/10.1111/ecin.12482
- Kocher, M., Schindler, D., S. Trautmann T., & Xu, Y. (2018). Risk, Time Pressure, and Selection Effects. Experimental Economics, 1-31. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10683-018-9576-1
- Kugler, K. G., Reif, J. A., Kaschner, T., & Brodbeck, F. C. (2018). Gender differences in the initiation of negotiations: A meta-analysis. Psychological bulletin, 144(2), 198. https://doi.org/10.1037/bul0000135
- Kuhn, T., Solaz, H., & van Elsas, E. J. (2018). Practising what you preach: how cosmopolitanism promotes willingness to redistribute across the European Union. Journal of European Public Policy, 25(12), 1759-1778. https://doi.org/10.1080/13501763.2017.1370005
- Kurz, V., Orland, A., & Posadzy, K. (2018). Fairness versus efficiency: how procedural fairness concerns affect coordination. Experimental economics, 21(3), 601-626. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10683-017-9540-5
- Maier, M. A., Dechamps, M. C., & Pflitsch, M. (2018). Intentional observer effects on quantum randomness: a Bayesian analysis reveals evidence against micro-psychokinesis. Frontiers in Psychology, 9, 379. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.00379
- Pachler, D., Kuonath, A. , Specht, J., Kennecke, S., Agthe, M., & Frey, D. (2018). Workflow Interruptions and Employee Work Outcomes: The Moderating Role of Polychronicity. Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, 23(3), 417-427. http://doi.org/10.1037/ocp0000094
- Bieberstein, F., & Schiller, J. (2018). Contract design and insurance fraud: an experimental investigation. Review of Managerial Science, 12(3), 711-736. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11846-017-0228-1
- Aydogan, G., Jobst, A., D'Ardenne, K., Müller, N., & Kocher, M. G. (2017). The Detrimental Effects of Oxytocin-Induced Conformity on Dishonesty in Competition. Psychological Science, 28(6), 751-759. https://doi.org/10.1177/0956797617695100
- Autumn, L., Konrad, K. A., & Morath, F. (2017). Balance of power and the propensity of conflict. Games and Economic Behavior, 103, 168-184. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geb.2015.12.013
- Herbst, L., Morath, F., & Konrad, K.A. (2017). Balance of power and the propensity of conflict. Games and Economic Behavior, 103, 168-184. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geb.2015.12.013
- Jaspersen, J., & Aseervatham, V. (2017). The Influence of Affect on Heuristic Thinking in Insurance Demand. Journal of Risk and Insurance, 84(1), 239-266. https://doi.org/10.1111/jori.12088
- Kocher, M. G., Martinsson, P., Myrseth, K. O. R., & Wollbrant, C. E. (2017). Strong, bold, and kind: Self-control and cooperation in social dilemmas. Experimental Economics, 20(1), 44-69. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10683-015-9475-7
- Kocher, M. G., Poulsen, O., & Zizzo, D. J. (2017). Social preferences, accountability, and wage bargaining. Social Choice and Welfare, 48(3), 659-678. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00355-017-1028-x
- Konrad, K. A., Lohse, T., & Qari, S. (2017). Compliance with endogenous audit probabilities. The Scandinavian Journal of Economics, 119(3), 821-850. https://doi.org/10.1111/sjoe.12182
- Krämer, F., Schmidt, K. M., Spann, M., & Stich, L. (2017). Buyer and seller data from pay what you want and name your own price laboratory markets. Data in brief, 12, 513-517. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.dib.2017.04.049
- Krämer, F., Schmidt, K. M., Spann, M., & Stich, L. (2017). Delegating pricing power to customers: Pay what you want or name your own price?. Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, 136, 125-140. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jebo.2017.01.019
- Krämer, F., Schmidt, K. M., Spann, M., & Stich, L. (2017). Delegating pricing power to customers: Pay what you want or name your own price?. Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, 136, 125-140. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jebo.2017.01.019
- Lindner, F., & Rose, J. (2017). No need for more time: Intertemporal allocation decisions under time pressure. Journal of Economic Psychology, 60, 53-70. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joep.2016.12.004
- Ludwig, S., Fellner-Röhling, G., & Thoma, C. (2017). Do Women Have More Shame than Men? An Experiment on Self-Assessment and the Shame of Overestimating Oneself. European Economic Review, 92, 31-46. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.euroecorev.2016.11.007
- Malmendier, U., & Schmidt, K. M. (2017). You owe me. American Economic Review, 107(2), 493-526. https://doi.org/10.1257/aer.20140890
- Schmidt, K. M., Fey, L., & Thoma, C. (2017). Competition and incentives. European Economic Review, 98, 111-125. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.euroecorev.2017.06.012
- Schumacher, H., Kesternich, I., Kosfeld, M., & Winter, J. (2017). One, two, many—Insensitivity to group size in games with concentrated benefits and dispersed costs. The Review of Economic Studies, 84(3), 1346-1377.https://doi.org/10.1093/restud/rdw043
- Baillon, A., Koellinger, P. D., & Treffers, T. (2016). Sadder but wiser: The effects of affective states and weather on ambiguity attitudes. Journal of Economic Psychology, (53), 67-82. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joep.2015.12.008
- Clemons, E. K., Wilson, J., Matt, C., Hess, T., Ren, F., Jin, F., & Koh, N. S. (2016). Global differences in online shopping behavior: Understanding factors leading to trust. Journal of Management Information Systems, 33(4), 1117-1148. https://doi.org/10.1080/07421222.2016.1267531
- Englmaier, F., & Gebhardt, G. (2016). Social dilemmas in the laboratory and in the field. Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, 128, 85-96. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jebo.2016.03.006
- Knoller, C. (2016). Multiple reference points and the demand for principal‐protected life annuities: An experimental analysis. Journal of Risk and Insurance, 83(1), 163-179. https://doi.org/10.1111/jori.12101
- Kocher, M., & Matzat, D. (2016). Preferences over punishment and reward mechanisms in social dilemmas. Journal of Institutional & Theoretical Economics, 172(1), 163-194. https://doi.org/10.1628/093245616X14500948554072
- Lohse, T., & Qari, S. (2016). Dubious versus trustworthy faces: what difference does it make for tax compliance?. Applied Economics Letters, 23(6), 394-401. https://doi.org/10.1080/13504851.2015.1076150
- Thoma, C. (2016). Under-versus overconfidence: an experiment on how others perceive a biased self-assessment. Experimental Economics, 19(1), 218-239. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10683-015-9435-2
- Aseervatham, V., Jaspersen, J.G., & Richter, A. (2015). The Affection Effect in an Incentive Compatible Insurance Demand Experiment. Economics Letters, 131, 34-37. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.econlet.2015.03.029
- Bartling, B., & Schmidt, K. M. (2015). Reference points, social norms, and fairness in contract renegotiations. Journal of the European Economic Association, 13(1), 98-129. https://doi.org/10.1111/jeea.12109
- Autumn, L., Konrad, K. A., & Morath, F. (2015). Endogenous group formation in experimental contests. European Economic Review, 74, 163-189. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.euroecorev.2014.12.001
- Ke, C., Konrad, K. A., & Morath, F. (2015). Alliances in the shadow of conflict. Economic Inquiry, 53(2), 854-871. https://doi.org/10.1111/ecin.12151
- Kocher, M. G., Pahlke, J., & Trautmann, S. T. (2015). An experimental test of precautionary bidding. European Economic Review, 78, 27-38. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.euroecorev.2015.04.009
- Kocher, M., Martinsson, P., Matzat, D., & Wollbrant, C. (2015). The role of beliefs, trust, and risk in contributions to a public good. Journal of Economic Psychology, 51, 236-244. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joep.2015.10.001
- Koellinger, P., & Treffers, T. (2015). Joy leads to overconfidence, and a simple countermeasure. PLOS ONE, 10(12), e0143263. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0143263
- Pahlke, J., Strasser, S., & Vieider F.M. (2015). Responsibility Effects in Decision Making under Risk. Journal of Risk and Uncertainty, 51(2), 125-146. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11166-015-9223-6
- Schöning, N., Thurner, P. W., & Binder, M. (2015). Indifference and inconsistency as moderators of framing effects: An experiment using the example of nuclear energy. In Yearbook for Theory of Action and Decision (127-158). Springer VS, Wiesbaden. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-658-07583-5_5
- Fright, P. (2015). Honesty in managerial reporting: How competition affects the benefits and costs of lying. Critical Perspectives on Accounting, 27, 177-188. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpa.2014.01.001
- Englmaier, F., Strasser, S., & Winter, J. (2014). Worker characteristics and wage differentials: Evidence from a gift-exchange experiment. Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, 97, 185-203. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jebo.2013.06.013
- Konrad, K. A., Lohse, T., & Qari, S. (2014). Deception choice and self-selection–The importance of being earnest. Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, 107, 25-39. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jebo.2014.07.012
- Konrad, K. A., Morath, F., & Müller, W. (2014). Taxation and market power. Canadian Journal of Economics/Revue canadienne d'économique, 47(1), 173-202. https://doi.org/10.1111/caje.12067
- Lahno, A.M., & Serra-Garcia, M. (2014). Peer Effects in Risk Taking. Journal of Risk and Uncertainty, 50(1), 73-95. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11166-015-9209-4
- Lohse, T., & Qari, S. (2014). Gender differences in deception behaviour–the role of the counterpart. Applied Economics Letters, 21(10), 702-705. https://doi.org/10.1080/13504851.2013.848020
- Schiffels, S., Fügener, A., Kolisch, R., & Brunner, O. J. (2014). On the assessment of costs in a newsvendor environment: Insights from an experimental study. Omega, 43, 1-8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.omega.2013.05.002
- Schikora, J. (2014). How do groups stabilize corruption. Journal of International Development 26(7), 1071-1091. https://doi.org/10.1002/jid.2902
- Schmidt, K. M., Spann, M., & Zeithammer, R. (2014). Pay what you want as a marketing strategy in monopolistic and competitive markets. Management Science, 61(6), 1217-1236. https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2014.1946
- Bartling, B., Fehr, E., & Schmidt, K. (2013). Use and Abuse of Authority-A Behavioral Foundation of the Employment Relation. JEEA, 11(4):711-742. https://doi.org/10.1111/jeea.12017
- Bartling, B., Fehr, E., & Schmidt, K. M. (2013). Discretion, productivity, and work satisfaction. Journal of Institutional and Theoretical Economics JITE, 169(1), 4-22. https://doi.org/10.1628/093245613X660357
- Brodbeck, F. C., Kugler, K. G., Reif, J. M., & Maier, M. A. (2013). Morals Matter in Economic Games. PLOS ONE, 8, 1-19. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0081558
- Efferson, C., & Vogt, S. (2013). Viewing men's faces does not lead to accurate predictions of trustworthiness. Scientific Reports, 3, 1-7. https://doi.org/10.1038/srep01047
- Gneezy, U., Rockenbach, B., & Serra-Garcia, M. (2013). Measuring lying aversion. Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, 93, 293-300. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jebo.2013.03.025
- Ke, C., Konrad, K.A., & Morath, F. (2013). Brothers in Arms - An Experiment on the Alliance Puzzle. Games and Economic Behavior, 77, 61-76. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geb.2012.08.011
- Sandroni, A., Ludwig, S., & Kircher, P. (2013). On the difference between social and private goods. The BE Journal of Theoretical Economics, 13(1), 151-177. https://doi.org/10.1515/bejte-2012-0008
- Serra-Garcia, M., Van Damme, E., & Potters, J. (2013). Lying about what you know or about what you do?. Journal of the European Economic Association, 11(5), 1204-1229. https://doi.org/10.1111/jeea.12034
- V cousin, S. (2013). Delegating decision rights for anticipated rewards as an alternative to corruption: An experiment. European Journal of Political Economy, 31, 188-204. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejpoleco.2013.06.001
- Aydin, N., Krueger, J., Fischer, J., Hahn, D., Frey, D., Kastenmüller, A., & Fischer, P. (2012). A man`s best friend: How the presence of a dog decreases mental distress after social exclusion. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 48, 446-449. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jesp.2011.09.011
- Bartling, B., Fehr, E., & Schmidt, K. M. (2012). Screening, competition, and job design: Economic origins of good jobs. American Economic Review, 102(2), 834-64 http://doi.org/10.1257/aer.102.2.834
- Houser, D., Vetter, S., & Winter, J. (2012). Fairness and cheating. European Economic Review, 56(8), 1645-1655. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.euroecorev.2012.08.001
- Pahlke, J., Strasser, S. & Vieider, F. M. (2012). Risk-taking for others under accountability. Economics Letters, 114(1), 102-105. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.econlet.2011.09.037
- Vieider, F. M. (2012). Moderate stake variations for risk and uncertainty, gains and losses: methodological implications for comparative studies. Economics Letters, 117(3), 718-721. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.econlet.2011.12.028
- Fiedler, M., Haruvy, E., & Li, S. X. (2011). Social distance in a virtual world experiment. Games and Economic Behavior, 72(2), 400-426. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geb.2010.09.004
- Faulmüller, N., Kerschreiter, R., Mojzisch, A., & Schulz-Hardt, S. (2010). Beyond group-level explanations for the failure of groups to solve hidden profiles: The individual preference effect revisited. Group Processes and Intergroup Relations, 13, 653-671. https://doi.org/10.1177/1368430210369143
- Lammers, F., & Schiller J. (2010). Influencing factors for fraudulent behavior of policyholders: first experimental findings. Journal for the entire insurance industry, 99, 649-663. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12297-010-0097-z
- Fiedler, M., & Haruvy E. (2009). The lab versus the virtual lab and virtual field - An experimental investigation of trust games with communication. Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, 72(2) , 716-724. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jebo.2009.07.013
Spokesman of the Board
Klaus Schmidt
Senior Faculty
Behavioral and Experimental Economics, Contract Theory, Industrial Organisation, Mechanism Design
Deputy Spokesman of the Board
Joachim Winter
Senior Faculty
Health Economics, Behavioral and Experimental Economics, Econometrics
Board members of other faculties
- Faculty of Psychology and Pedagogy
- Prof. Dr. Felix C. Brodbeck
+49 89 2180-5201
brodbeck@psy.lmu.de - Faculty of Social Sciences
- Prof. Dr. Ophelia Deroy
ophelia.deroy@lrz.uni-muenchen.de - Faculty of Business Administration
- Prof. Dr. Martin Spann
+49 89 2180-72051
spann@lmu.de
Andrej Woerner
Junior Faculty
Behavioral and Experimental Economics, Environmental Economics, Economic Theory