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Measuring ambiguity attitude: (Extended) multiplier preferences for the American and the Dutch population

Author

Listed:
  • Aurélien Baillon

    (Erasmus University Rotterdam)

  • Han Bleichrodt

    (Erasmus University Rotterdam)

  • Zhenxing Huang

    (Shanghai University of Finance and Economics
    The Key Laboratory of Mathematical Economics (SUFE), Ministry of Education)

  • Rogier Potter van Loon

    (Erasmus University Rotterdam)

Abstract

Empirical studies of ambiguity aversion often use measures that are not grounded in theory. This paper shows how a theoretically-founded measure of ambiguity aversion can be derived from Hansen and Sargent’s theory of multiplier preferences. Multiplier preferences are used in macroeconomics to capture model uncertainty. At the micro level, they have not been applied yet, because they do not permit ambiguity seeking, which is usually observed for a substantial proportion of subjects. We give a preference foundation for (extended) multiplier preferences accommodating both ambiguity aversion and ambiguity seeking and we propose a simple method to measure them using matching probabilities. We illustrate our method in two large representative samples (Dutch and American) and obtain the first micro estimates of multiplier preferences.

Suggested Citation

  • Aurélien Baillon & Han Bleichrodt & Zhenxing Huang & Rogier Potter van Loon, 2017. "Measuring ambiguity attitude: (Extended) multiplier preferences for the American and the Dutch population," Journal of Risk and Uncertainty, Springer, vol. 54(3), pages 269-281, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jrisku:v:54:y:2017:i:3:d:10.1007_s11166-017-9260-4
    DOI: 10.1007/s11166-017-9260-4
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    Cited by:

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Ambiguity; Multiplier preferences; Robustness; Measurement;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D81 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Criteria for Decision-Making under Risk and Uncertainty

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