Expectations as a source of macroeconomic persistence: Evidence from survey expectations in a dynamic macro model

Embedding survey expectations in a standard DSGE model helps to identify key slope parameters in standard relationships; dramatically reduces the need for lagged dependent variables, often motivated by price-indexation and habit formation; and obviates the need for autocorrelated structural shocks in the key equations. Formal statistical tests demonstrate that much of the persistence in aggregate data is better accounted for by slow-moving expectations, rather than by habits, indexation and autocorrelated structural shocks.