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The influence of spouses on household decision making under risk: an experiment in rural China

Author

Listed:
  • Fredrik Carlsson
  • Peter Martinsson
  • Ping Qin
  • Matthias Sutter

Abstract

We study household decision making in a high-stakes experiment with a random sample of households in rural China. Spouses have to choose between risky lotteries, first separately and then jointly. We find that spouses’ individual risk preferences are more similar the richer the household and the higher the wife’s relative income contribution. A couple’s joint decision is typically very similar to the husband’s preferences, but women who contribute relatively more to the household income, women in high-income households, and women with communist party membership have a stronger influence on the joint decision. Copyright Economic Science Association 2013

Suggested Citation

  • Fredrik Carlsson & Peter Martinsson & Ping Qin & Matthias Sutter, 2013. "The influence of spouses on household decision making under risk: an experiment in rural China," Experimental Economics, Springer;Economic Science Association, vol. 16(3), pages 383-401, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:expeco:v:16:y:2013:i:3:p:383-401
    DOI: 10.1007/s10683-012-9343-7
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Household decision making; Risk; Experiment in the field; China; C91; C92; C93; D10;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C91 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Laboratory, Individual Behavior
    • C92 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Laboratory, Group Behavior
    • C93 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Field Experiments
    • D10 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - General

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