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Assimilation In The Risk Preferences Of Spouses

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  • Salvatore Di Falco
  • Ferdinand M. Vieider

Abstract

We use correlations in the risk preferences of spouses as a testbed of whether preferences are socially transmitted, rather than being innate as traditionally assumed in economics. We obtain rich measurements of the risk preferences of cohabiting spouses in the rural Ethiopian highlands. This allows us to use correlation coefficients at the level of the couple in regression analysis. We find a strong correlation between the strength of the correlation in risk preferences within a couple and how long a couple has been married. This provides direct evidence for assimilation in the risk preference of spouses, and thus for social transmission of preferences. Assortative mating appears to be less important. (JEL C93, D03, D80, O12)

Suggested Citation

  • Salvatore Di Falco & Ferdinand M. Vieider, 2018. "Assimilation In The Risk Preferences Of Spouses," Economic Inquiry, Western Economic Association International, vol. 56(3), pages 1809-1816, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:ecinqu:v:56:y:2018:i:3:p:1809-1816
    DOI: 10.1111/ecin.12531
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • C93 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Field Experiments
    • D03 - Microeconomics - - General - - - Behavioral Microeconomics: Underlying Principles
    • D80 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - General
    • O12 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Microeconomic Analyses of Economic Development

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