The Determinants of Risk Attitudes in Ireland and the United Kingdom

An Analysis of the Determinants of Risk Attitudes in Ireland and the United Kingdom
- by Kieran McQuinn and Nuala O’Donnell
Irish Central Bank Research Paper, May 2010

This paper (linked above) uses a measure of attitude to risk in the financial domain. Attitude to risk is elicited using a six-point Likert scale; the information in this variable is transformed into a binary indicator which is the regressand in a probit model. The results show that people from ethnic backgrounds appear to be more risk averse, while married people and males seem to have a significant preference for risk. It also appears that the greater the degree of population density, the greater the preference for risk. It is suggested that improving educational attainment within the population can increase preferences for risk. It is also suggested that risk preferences are a significant determinant of an individuals ability to accumulate wealth.

Risk Taking and Attractiveness in Chess

New IZA Working Paper

Anna Dreber Almenberg, Christer Gerdes, Patrik Gränsmark

Beauty Queens and Battling Knights: Risk Taking and Attractiveness in Chess

Abstract:
We explore the relationship between attractiveness and risk taking in chess. We use a large international panel dataset on chess competitions which includes a control for the players' skill in chess. This data is combined with results from a survey on an online labor market where participants were asked to rate the photos of 626 expert chess players according to attractiveness. Our results suggest that male chess players choose significantly riskier strategies when playing against an attractive female opponent, even though this does not improve their performance. Women's strategies are not affected by the attractiveness of the opponent.

http://ftp.iza.org/dp5314.pdf

Netzer AER - Evolution of Time Preferences and Attitude Toward Risk

Evolution of Time Preferences and Attitudes toward Risk

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Author Info

Nick Netzer
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• Nick Netzer

Abstract

This paper explores a general model of the evolution and adaption of hedonic utility. It is shown that optimal utility will be increasing strongly in regions where choices have to be made often and decision mistakes have a severe impact on fitness. Several applications are suggested. In the context of intertemporal preferences, the model offers an evolutionary explanation for the existence of conflicting short- and long-run interests that lead to dynamic inconsistency. Concerning attitudes toward risk, an evolutionary explanation is given for S-shaped value functions that adjust to the decision maker's environment. (JEL D81, D83)