Jonathan Lafky

Jonathan Lafky is an Associate Professor of Economics at Carleton College, affiliated with the Department of Economics since 2016. He teaches courses including Principles of Microeconomics, Behavioral Economics, Game Theory, and Advanced Research in Economics. His academic background includes a BS from the University of Oregon, an MA from the University of Pittsburgh, and a PhD (institution unspecified).

Research interests focus on experimental economics, behavioral economics, and strategic decision-making. He explores topics such as information transmission incentives, online rating systems, social conformity dynamics, and the interplay between altruism and health choices. His work combines theoretical models with controlled experiments to analyze real-world behavioral phenomena.

Recent research highlights include studying honesty in information sharing, the impact of heterogeneous preferences on ratings, and the effects of incentives on public goods provision. His publications often address the quantity/quality trade-offs in social information systems and strategic communication patterns.

Lafky’s teaching spans foundational microeconomics to advanced seminars in experimental economics. His research emphasizes experimental methods to validate behavioral theories, with contributions to understanding online platforms, social preferences, and policy design for collective action.