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Preference Reversals and the Analysis of Income Distributions

Author

Listed:
  • Yoram Amiel
  • Frank A Cowell
  • Leima Davidovitz
  • Avraham Polovin

Abstract

It is known from the literature on uncertainty that in cases where individuals express a preference for a high win-probability bet over a bet with high winnings they nevertheless will bid more to obtain the bet with high winnings. We investigate whether a similar phenomenon applies in the parallel social-choice situation. Here decisions are to be made between a distribution with a small group of very high-income people. Results from a number of experimental designs are analysed.

Suggested Citation

  • Yoram Amiel & Frank A Cowell & Leima Davidovitz & Avraham Polovin, 2003. "Preference Reversals and the Analysis of Income Distributions," STICERD - Distributional Analysis Research Programme Papers 66, Suntory and Toyota International Centres for Economics and Related Disciplines, LSE.
    • Handle: RePEc:cep:stidar:66
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Amiel, Yoram & Cowell, Frank, 2001. "Risk and inequality perceptions," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 2058, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    2. repec:bla:jecsur:v:16:y:2002:i:5:p:621-55 is not listed on IDEAS
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    Cited by:

    1. Camacho-Cuena, Eva & Seidl, Christian & Morone, Andrea, 2005. "Comparing preference reversal for general lotteries and income distributions," Journal of Economic Psychology, Elsevier, vol. 26(5), pages 682-710, October.
    2. Oliver, Adam, 2006. "Further evidence of preference reversals: Choice, valuation and ranking over distributions of life expectancy," Journal of Health Economics, Elsevier, vol. 25(5), pages 803-820, September.
    3. Uri Gneezy & John A. List & George Wu, 2006. "The Uncertainty Effect: When a Risky Prospect is Valued Less than its Worst Possible Outcome," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 121(4), pages 1283-1309.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Preference reversals; social welfare; inequality; risk and experiments.;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D81 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Criteria for Decision-Making under Risk and Uncertainty
    • C91 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Laboratory, Individual Behavior
    • D63 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Equity, Justice, Inequality, and Other Normative Criteria and Measurement

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