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The Impulsiveness of the Roma Minority, the Czech Majority and the Psychological, Demographic, and Socioeconomic Correlations
[Impulzivita Romů A Čechů A Její Psychologické, Demografické A Socioekonomické Koreláty]

Author

Listed:
  • Petr Houdek
  • Nina Rybáková

Abstract

The article examines the differences in individual discount rates among the Roma ethnic group (Gypsies) and the Czech ethnic group. Low income, low education, and currently unemployed participants (Roma N=27, Czechs N=23) were subjected to pilot experiments based on in-depth questionnaires. In addition to impulsivity (delay-discount rates), the correlation with cognitive aptitude, risk attitudes, and various socioeconomic and demographic characteristics were analysed. Even though the Roma group was characterised by lower cognitive abilities, education, and financial literacy, our results indicate that participants from both groups appear to be equally impatient, with discount rates close to the values of individuals dependent on addictive substances (according to the results of some earlier foreign studies). Nevertheless, the Roma ethnic group is better characterised by inconsistent discounting compared to the Czechs who behave more consistently. However, these results are not robust to alternative estimation characteristics. We also found a positive effect of financial literacy on savings in the Roma sample. The conclusion discusses the influence of the environmental context on impulsivity and reviews the limitations of the study.

Suggested Citation

  • Petr Houdek & Nina Rybáková, 2017. "The Impulsiveness of the Roma Minority, the Czech Majority and the Psychological, Demographic, and Socioeconomic Correlations [Impulzivita Romů A Čechů A Její Psychologické, Demografické A Socioeko," Acta Oeconomica Pragensia, Prague University of Economics and Business, vol. 2017(4), pages 13-38.
    • Handle: RePEc:prg:jnlaop:v:2017:y:2017:i:4:id:587:p:13-38
    DOI: 10.18267/j.aop.587
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Matthias Sutter & Martin G. Kocher & Daniela Glätzle-Rützler & Stefan T. Trautmann, 2013. "Impatience and Uncertainty: Experimental Decisions Predict Adolescents' Field Behavior," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 103(1), pages 510-531, February.
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    6. Spears Dean, 2011. "Economic Decision-Making in Poverty Depletes Behavioral Control," The B.E. Journal of Economic Analysis & Policy, De Gruyter, vol. 11(1), pages 1-44, December.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    impulsiveness; Roma; Czech Republic; poverty; cognition; discounting; time preference; financial literacy; self-control; savings;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I32 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - Measurement and Analysis of Poverty
    • J15 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Minorities, Races, Indigenous Peoples, and Immigrants; Non-labor Discrimination
    • J22 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Time Allocation and Labor Supply

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