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Gender-specific reference-dependent preferences in the experimental trust game

Author

Listed:
  • Hiromasa Takahashi

    (Hiroshima City University)

  • Junyi Shen

    (Kobe University
    Shanghai University)

  • Kazuhito Ogawa

    (Kansai University)

Abstract

In this paper, we examine gender-specific reference-dependent preferences in a trust game experiment. Different amounts of show-up fee and one question eliciting subjects’ reference points were used to categorize subjects into three frames—the gain frame, the gain or loss frame, and the loss frame. We mainly found that (i) male subjects are risk-seeking in both the gain frame and the loss frame; (ii) women are not always more risk-averse than men; and (iii) women display other-regarding preferences only when they are in a gain frame. These results demonstrate the importance of taking gender difference and the reference-dependent preference into account together when examining individuals’ economic behaviors.

Suggested Citation

  • Hiromasa Takahashi & Junyi Shen & Kazuhito Ogawa, 2020. "Gender-specific reference-dependent preferences in the experimental trust game," Evolutionary and Institutional Economics Review, Springer, vol. 17(1), pages 25-38, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:eaiere:v:17:y:2020:i:1:d:10.1007_s40844-019-00155-z
    DOI: 10.1007/s40844-019-00155-z
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    Cited by:

    1. Ziyun Suo & Qinxin Guo & Junyi Shen, 2022. "Revisiting the Effect of Trustworthy Face and Attractive Appearance on Trust and Trustworthiness Behavior," Discussion Paper Series DP2022-03, Research Institute for Economics & Business Administration, Kobe University.
    2. van den Akker, Olmo R. & van Assen, Marcel A.L.M. & van Vugt, Mark & Wicherts, Jelte M., 2020. "Sex differences in trust and trustworthiness: A meta-analysis of the trust game and the gift-exchange game," Journal of Economic Psychology, Elsevier, vol. 81(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Reference-dependent preference; Gender difference; Trust game; Risk preference; Other-regarding preference;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C72 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Game Theory and Bargaining Theory - - - Noncooperative Games
    • C91 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Laboratory, Individual Behavior

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