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Gender-specific Reference-dependent Preferences in an Experimental Trust Game

Author

Listed:
  • Hiromasa Takahashi

    (Faculty of International Studies, Hiroshima City University)

  • Junyi Shen

    (Research Institute for Economics & Business Administration (RIEB), Kobe University, Japan)

  • Kazuhito Ogawa

    (Faculty of Sociology and Center for Experimental Economics, Kansai University)

Abstract

We examine gender-specific reference-dependent preferences in a trust game experiment. Different participation fees and one question eliciting subjects' reference points were used to categorize subjects into three frames: the gain frame, gain or loss frame, and loss frame. We find that (i) men are risk-seeking in both the gain 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 the gain frame. These results demonstrate the importance of taking account of both gender differences and reference-dependent preferences when examining individuals' economic behavior.

Suggested Citation

  • Hiromasa Takahashi & Junyi Shen & Kazuhito Ogawa, 2016. "Gender-specific Reference-dependent Preferences in an Experimental Trust Game," Discussion Paper Series DP2016-09, Research Institute for Economics & Business Administration, Kobe University.
    • Handle: RePEc:kob:dpaper:dp2016-09
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    File URL: https://www.rieb.kobe-u.ac.jp/academic/ra/dp/English/DP2016-09.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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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 experiment; 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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