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Interpersonal risk assessment and social preferences: An experimental study

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  • Fornasari, Federico
  • Ploner, Matteo
  • Soraperra, Ivan

Abstract

We investigate interpersonal risk assessment, that is how individuals use either their own or their partner’s monetary resources to offset the risk that affects them or their partner. The observed behavior is in line with the predictions of a simple piecewise linear model of social preferences. Overall, individuals opportunistically draw from others’ resources to offset risk; furthermore, they display higher levels of risk aversion when delegated to choose for others rather than when choosing for themselves. However, different social types differ in the assessment of interpersonal risk. Considering our results, we suggest that studies dealing with interpersonal risk assessment should not only focus on risk preferences, but also take into account social preferences.

Suggested Citation

  • Fornasari, Federico & Ploner, Matteo & Soraperra, Ivan, 2020. "Interpersonal risk assessment and social preferences: An experimental study," Journal of Economic Psychology, Elsevier, vol. 77(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:joepsy:v:77:y:2020:i:c:s0167487018305701
    DOI: 10.1016/j.joep.2019.06.006
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Social preferences; Risk; Decision-making for others; Laboratory experiments;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C91 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Laboratory, Individual Behavior
    • D03 - Microeconomics - - General - - - Behavioral Microeconomics: Underlying Principles
    • D80 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - General
    • O12 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Microeconomic Analyses of Economic Development

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