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Cognitive ability and risk preferences in a developing nation: Findings from the field

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  • Moghaddasi Kelishomi, Ali
  • Sgroi, Daniel

Abstract

We find a strong positive relationship between risk tolerance and cognitive ability which becomes stronger as adherence to the generalized axiom of revealed preference (a proxy for rationality) increases. In contrast to typical studies of this sort, our results are taken from a field study of individuals at the very bottom of the income distribution in a developing nation. Our results for some of the poorest in the world support a link between cognitive ability and risk preferences. We merge this with findings from developed nations and argue that our overall findings suggest a stable relationship for the human population as a whole irrespective of socio-economic status.

Suggested Citation

  • Moghaddasi Kelishomi, Ali & Sgroi, Daniel, 2022. "Cognitive ability and risk preferences in a developing nation: Findings from the field," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 216(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecolet:v:216:y:2022:i:c:s0165176522001689
    DOI: 10.1016/j.econlet.2022.110576
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Syngjoo Choi & Shachar Kariv & Wieland M?ller & Dan Silverman, 2014. "Who Is (More) Rational?," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 104(6), pages 1518-1550, June.
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    7. Amador-Hidalgo, Luis & Brañas-Garza, Pablo & Espín, Antonio M. & García-Muñoz, Teresa & Hernández-Román, Ana, 2021. "Cognitive abilities and risk-taking: Errors, not preferences," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 134(C).
    8. Kelishomi, Ali Moghaddasi & Sgroi, Daniel, 2021. "A Field Study of Donor Behavior in the Iranian Kidney Market," CAGE Online Working Paper Series 592, Competitive Advantage in the Global Economy (CAGE).
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    Cited by:

    1. Liu, Kui & Meng, Chuyan & Yang, Shasha & Zhang, Guanglu, 2024. "Air pollution and individual risk preference: Evidence from China," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 136(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Risk; Cognitive ability; Rationality; Field experiment; Low incomes; Developing nation;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I11 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Analysis of Health Care Markets
    • I12 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Behavior
    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health
    • C93 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Field Experiments
    • D03 - Microeconomics - - General - - - Behavioral Microeconomics: Underlying Principles

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