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An experimental investigation of social risk preferences for health

Author

Listed:
  • Arthur E. Attema

    (Erasmus University Rotterdam)

  • Olivier L'Haridon

    (IUF - Institut Universitaire de France - M.E.N.E.S.R. - Ministère de l'Education nationale, de l’Enseignement supérieur et de la Recherche, CREM - Centre de recherche en économie et management - UNICAEN - Université de Caen Normandie - NU - Normandie Université - UR - Université de Rennes - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique)

  • Gijs van de Kuilen

    (Tilburg University [Netherlands])

Abstract

In this paper, we use the risk apportionment technique of Eeckhoudt, Rey and Schlesinger (2007) to study higher order risk preferences for others' health as well as ex-ante and ex-post inequality preferences for social risky distributions, and their interaction. In an experiment on a sample of university students acting as impartial spectators, we observe risk aversion towards social health losses and a dislike of ex-ante inequality. In addition, evidence for ex-post inequality seeking is much weaker than evidence for ex-ante inequality aversion. Because ex-ante inequality aversion is unrelated to risk aversion, we conclude that simple forms of utilitarianism are not relevant for individual judgment of social risk over health. Last, our investigation of precautionary distribution, which would occur when one particular group in the society suffers from background health risk, shows substantial polarization of preferences.

Suggested Citation

  • Arthur E. Attema & Olivier L'Haridon & Gijs van de Kuilen, 2023. "An experimental investigation of social risk preferences for health," Post-Print hal-04116959, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:journl:hal-04116959
    DOI: 10.1007/s11238-023-09928-w
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    Keywords

    Social risk; Ex-ante social welfare; Ex-post social welfare; Risk apportionment;
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