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Probability weighting in different domains: The role of affect, fungibility, and stakes

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  • Krawczyk, Michał Wiktor

Abstract

This paper reports the results of a laboratory experiment in which probability weighting functions for risky gains were elicited non-parametrically in over 500 incentivized subjects. I compared probability weights for monetary rewards to two less fungible domains involving vouchers for different types of consumption, inducing stronger or weaker (positive) emotions. The level of stakes was also manipulated. I found that the probability to win monetary rewards was weighted almost linearly in the high stakes condition, the probability to win vouchers associated with stronger positive affect was underweighted and the probability to win affect-poor vouchers was strongly underweighted. Substantial underweighting also prevailed in all three domains in the low stakes condition.

Suggested Citation

  • Krawczyk, Michał Wiktor, 2015. "Probability weighting in different domains: The role of affect, fungibility, and stakes," Journal of Economic Psychology, Elsevier, vol. 51(C), pages 1-15.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:joepsy:v:51:y:2015:i:c:p:1-15
    DOI: 10.1016/j.joep.2015.06.006
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    3. Emmanuel Kemel & Corina Paraschiv, 2018. "Deciding about human lives: an experimental measure of risk attitudes under prospect theory," Social Choice and Welfare, Springer;The Society for Social Choice and Welfare, vol. 51(1), pages 163-192, June.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Prospect theory; Probability weighting functions; Fungibility; Affect;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D81 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Criteria for Decision-Making under Risk and Uncertainty

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