Temptation and Persuasion

I analyze the foundations, comparative statics and identification properties of Bayesian Persuasion in terms of the receiver's choices, preferences and welfare. By interpreting sender and receiver as different selves, the model delivers new insights into the interaction between temptation, attention, demand for commitment, and the value of information. All model parameters---and, thereby, endogenous signals---are identified from receiver's behavior, enabling simple comparative statics regarding the degree of conflict between agents and measures of optimism or pessimism. My results differ substantially from those of related decision models, highlighting the role of motivated attention in intrapersonal conflict.