Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-2009
Abstract
We use an experimental method to investigate whether systematic relationships exist across distinct aspects of individual preferences: risk aversion in monetary outcomes, altruism in a twoperson context, and social preferences in a larger group context. Individual preferences across these three contexts are measured, and there is no possibility for risk sharing, wealth effects, or updating expectations of the population choices. We find that social preferences are related to demographic variables, including years of education, gender, and age. Perhaps most importantly, self allocation in a two-person dictator game is related to social preferences in a group context. Participants who are more generous in a dictator game are more likely to vote against their selfinterest in a group decision-making task which we interpret to be expressions of social preferences.
Recommended Citation
Ackert, Lucy; Martinez-Vazquez, Jorge; Gillette, Ann; and Rider, Mark, "Risk Tolerance, Self-Interest, and Social Preferences" (2009). ExCEN Working Papers. 94.
https://scholarworks.gsu.edu/excen_workingpapers/94
Comments
To learn more about the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies and ExCEN Working Papers Series, visit https://aysps.gsu.edu/ and http://excen.gsu.edu/center/.