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Measuring Risk Aversion Model-Independently

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  • Maier, Johannes
  • Rüger, Maximilian

Abstract

We propose a new method to elicit individuals' risk preferences. Similar to Holt and Laury (2002), we use a simple multiple price-list format. However, our method is based on a general notion of increasing risk, which allows classifying individuals as more or less risk-averse without assuming a specic utility framework. In a laboratory experiment we compare both methods. Each classies individuals almost identically as risk-averse, -neutral, or -seeking. However, classications of individuals as more or less risk-averse dier substantially. Moreover, our approach yields higher measures of risk aversion, and only with our method these measures are robust toward increasing stakes.

Suggested Citation

  • Maier, Johannes & Rüger, Maximilian, 2010. "Measuring Risk Aversion Model-Independently," Discussion Papers in Economics 11873, University of Munich, Department of Economics.
  • Handle: RePEc:lmu:muenec:11873
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    3. Booth, Alison & Cardona-Sosa, Lina & Nolen, Patrick, 2014. "Gender differences in risk aversion: Do single-sex environments affect their development?," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 99(C), pages 126-154.
    4. Alisa Frik & Alexia Gaudeul, 2016. "Privacy protection, risk attitudes, and the need for control: An experimental study," CEEL Working Papers 1601, Cognitive and Experimental Economics Laboratory, Department of Economics, University of Trento, Italia.
    5. Wei, Yixuan & Zhang, Yixing & Xu, Yifei & Wang, Shu & Liu, Jianguo & Jin, Longzhe & Ou, Shengnan & Pan, Song & Liu, Yiqiao, 2024. "Impact of risk preferences on evacuee behavior and attention distribution in urban underground space evacuations," Physica A: Statistical Mechanics and its Applications, Elsevier, vol. 640(C).
    6. Brocas, Isabelle & Carrillo, Juan D. & Giga, Aleksandar & Zapatero, Fernando, 2019. "Risk Aversion in a Dynamic Asset Allocation Experiment," Journal of Financial and Quantitative Analysis, Cambridge University Press, vol. 54(5), pages 2209-2232, October.
    7. Frik, Alisa & Gaudeul, Alexia, 2018. "An experimental method for the elicitation of implicit attitudes to privacy risk," MPRA Paper 87845, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    8. J. Francois Outreville, 2014. "Risk Aversion, Risk Behavior, and Demand for Insurance: A Survey," Journal of Insurance Issues, Western Risk and Insurance Association, vol. 37(2), pages 158-186.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Risk Aversion; Multiple Price-List; Elicitation; Laboratory Experiment; Holt and Laury Method; Mean Preserving Spreads; Non-EUT; Increasing Risk;
    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

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