Kuhn, MichaelBiemiller, Nathan2019-09-182019-09-182019-09-18https://hdl.handle.net/1794/24882I use applied and experimental methods to empirically investigate individual decisions in a number of settings where behavior may be more consistent with models from behavioral economic theory than from traditional economic theory. These situations provide us with insights about real-world situations in which behavioral models may be more applicable than traditional models. In Chapter II, I find that losing candidates in U.S. House of Representatives elections are more likely to run in the subsequent election if they outperform their expectations relative to opponents. Chapter III estimates the effect of opening recreational marijuana markets on domestic violence; I find that opening markets increases reported domestic violence incidents in treated states. Finally, in Chapter IV, which is co-authored with Michael Kuhn and Jeffrey Naecker, we construct an experiment to test individual commitment demand in a group framework.en-USAll Rights Reserved.Electronic Thesis or Dissertation