Individual-level loss aversion in riskless and risky choices

Simon Gächter, Eric J. Johnson and Andreas Herrmann
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Eric J. Johnson: Columbia Business School
Andreas Herrmann: University of St. Gallen

Theory and Decision, 2022, vol. 92, issue 3, No 9, 599-624

Abstract: Abstract Loss aversion can occur in riskless and risky choices. We present novel evidence on both in a non-student sample (660 randomly selected customers of a car manufacturer). We measure loss aversion in riskless choice in endowment effect experiments within and between subjects and find similar levels of average loss aversion in both. The subjects of the within study also participate in a simple lottery choice task which arguably measures loss aversion in risky choices. We find substantial heterogeneity in both measures of loss aversion. Loss aversion in riskless choice and loss aversion in risky choice are strongly positively correlated, but on average riskless loss aversion is higher than risky loss aversion. We find that in both choice tasks, loss aversion increases in age, income, and wealth, and decreases in education. Our results provide novel supportive input to the debate about the reality of loss aversion.

Keywords: Loss aversion; Endowment effect; Reference-dependent preferences; Lab-in-the-field experiments (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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Related works:
Working Paper: Individual-level loss aversion in riskless and risky choices (2010)
Working Paper: Individual-Level Loss Aversion in Riskless and Risky Choices (2007)
Working Paper: INDIVIDUAL-LEVEL LOSS AVERSION IN RISKLESS AND RISKY CHOICES (2007)
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DOI: 10.1007/s11238-021-09839-8

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