An experimental methodology testing for prudence and third-order preferences
We propose an experimental method to test individuals for prudence (i.e. downside risk aversion) outside the expected utility framework. Our method relies on a novel representation of compound lotteries which allows for a systematic parameterization that captures the full generality of prudence.Ther...
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| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Book/Monograph Working Paper |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Bonn
Graduate School of Economics
2009
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| Series: | Bonn econ discussion papers
2009,21 |
| In: |
Bonn Econ Discussion Papers (2009,21)
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | Verlag, Volltext: http://www.bgse.uni-bonn.de/bonn-econ-papers-1/archive/2009/sebastian-ebert-daniel-wiesen-an-experimental-methodology-testing-for-prudence-and-third-order-preferences-no.-21-2009 Download aus dem Internet, Stand 22.09.2009, Volltext: http://hdl.handle.net/10419/37027 
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| Author Notes: | Sebastian Ebert; Daniel Wiesen |
| Summary: | We propose an experimental method to test individuals for prudence (i.e. downside risk aversion) outside the expected utility framework. Our method relies on a novel representation of compound lotteries which allows for a systematic parameterization that captures the full generality of prudence.Therefore, we develop a general technique for lottery calibration in experiments. Since we investigate a very subtle third-order property we test our method in the laboratory employing a factorial design. We find that it yields robust results and that prudence is observed on the aggregate as well as on the individual level. Further we show that preferences based on statistical moments, in particular skewness seeking, can at most approximately explain individuals' behavior in the experiment. -- Decision making under uncertainty ; risk preferences ; prudence ; downside risk ; statistical moments ; laboratory experiment |
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| Physical Description: | Online Resource |
| Format: | Systemvoraussetzungen: Acrobat Reader. |