College of Arts and Sciences

Department of Economics

Sara Solnick

Chair, Associate Professor of Economics

Dr. Solnick came to the university in 2000. Prior to studying economics, she received a BA in psychology from Harvard University (1986) and a MS in health policy from the Harvard School of Public Health (1990).

Dr. Solnick teaches microeconomics at the introductory and intermediate levels, statistics, labor economics, game theory and health economics.

Her research has been directed at looking beyond the standard, neoclassical economic model to explore the social or behavioral factors that influence the outcomes that we observe. The economic model of behavior is very powerful and has allowed economists to address many aspects of human behavior. Yet the standard model does leave things to be desired, and her work in those gaps focuses on two particular questions and approaches. One is using experiments as a means to uncover gender differences that have implications in labor markets and other interactions. The other is understanding when and how much position matters in order to make appropriate predications and policy.

Publications

Solnick, Sara J. and David Hemenway, "The Twinkie Defense": the relationship between carbonated non-diet soft drinks and violence perpetration among Boston high school students," Injury Prevention, published online October 24, 2011.

"Cash and Alternate Methods of Accounting in an Experimental Game," Journal of Economic Behavior and Organization, February 2007, 62(2): 316-312.

"Are Positional Concerns Stronger in Some Domains Than in Others?" (with David Hemenway) American Economic Review, May 2005, 95(2): 147-151.

"Gender Differences in the Ultimatum Game," Economic Inquiry, April 2001, 39(2): 189-200.