Estimating parametric loss aversion with prospect theory: recognising and dealing with size dependence

Balcombe, K., Bardsley, N., Dadzie, S. and Fraser, I. (2019) Estimating parametric loss aversion with prospect theory: recognising and dealing with size dependence. Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, 162. pp. 106-119. ISSN 0167-2681 doi: 10.1016/j.jebo.2019.04.017

Abstract/Summary

Parametric identification of loss aversion requires either the imposition of rotational symmetry on the utility function or a point dependent normalization condition. In this paper, we propose a new approach in which point dependence is reduced by integration over normalization points. To illustrate our approach, we consider a sample of Ghanaian farmers' risk preferences over the gain, loss and mixed domains. Using Bayesian econometric methods, we and support for Prospect Theory albeit with substantial behavioral variation across individuals plus mild overweighting of losses compared to gains. We also show that the majority of respondents are mildly loss averse especially as the size of the payoffs increase.

Item Type	Article
URI	https://reading-clone.eprints-hosting.org/id/eprint/83342
Identification Number/DOI	10.1016/j.jebo.2019.04.017
Refereed	Yes
Divisions	Life Sciences > School of Agriculture, Policy and Development > Department of Agri-Food Economics & Marketing
Publisher	Elsevier
Download/View statistics	View download statistics for this item