Estimating risk attitudes in Denmark: A Field Experiment

Harrison, G.W.; Lau, M.I.; Rutstrom, E.E.

doi:10.1111/j.1467-9442.2007.00496.x

Estimating risk attitudes in Denmark: A Field Experiment

Harrison, G.W.; Lau, M.I.; Rutstrom, E.E.

Authors

G.W. Harrison

Professor Morten Lau m.i.lau@durham.ac.uk
Professor

E.E. Rutstrom

Abstract

We estimate individual risk attitudes using controlled experiments in the field in Denmark. The experiments were carried out across Denmark using a representative sample of 253 people between 19 and 75 years of age. Risk attitudes are estimated for various individuals differentiated by socio-demographic characteristics. Our results indicate that the average Dane is risk averse, and that risk neutrality is an inappropriate assumption to apply. We also find that risk attitudes vary significantly with respect to several important socio-demographic variables such as age and education. However, we do not find any effect of sex on risk attitudes.

Citation

Harrison, G., Lau, M., & Rutstrom, E. (2007). Estimating risk attitudes in Denmark: A Field Experiment. The Scandinavian Journal of Economics, 109(2), 341-368. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9442.2007.00496.x

Journal Article Type	Article
Publication Date	Jun 1, 2007
Deposit Date	Aug 19, 2008
Journal	Scandinavian Journal of Economics
Print ISSN	0347-0520
Electronic ISSN	1467-9442
Publisher	Wiley
Peer Reviewed	Peer Reviewed
Volume	109
Issue	2
Pages	341-368
DOI	https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9442.2007.00496.x
Keywords	Risk aversion, Field experiment, Socio-demographic characteristics.
Public URL	https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1549009