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Risk Aversion and Religion

Author

Listed:
  • Noussair, C.N.

    (Tilburg University, Center For Economic Research)

  • Trautmann, S.T.

    (Tilburg University, Center For Economic Research)

  • van de Kuilen, G.

    (Tilburg University, Center For Economic Research)

  • Vellekoop, N.

    (Tilburg University, Center For Economic Research)

Abstract

We use a dataset for a demographically representative sample of the Dutch population that contains a revealed preference risk attitude measure, as well as detailed information about participants’ religious background, to study three issues. First, we find strong confirmatory evidence that more religious people, as measured by church membership or attendance, are more risk averse with regard to financial risks. Second, we obtain some evidence that Protestants are more risk averse than Catholics in such tasks. Third, our data suggest that the link between risk aversion and religion is driven by social aspects of church membership, rather than by religious beliefs themselves. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media New York 2013
(This abstract was borrowed from another version of this item.)

Suggested Citation

  • Noussair, C.N. & Trautmann, S.T. & van de Kuilen, G. & Vellekoop, N., 2012. "Risk Aversion and Religion," Discussion Paper 2012-073, Tilburg University, Center for Economic Research.
    • Handle: RePEc:tiu:tiucen:b611b08c-0053-41df-82aa-c3724036c8ae
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    risk aversion; religion; Catholicism; Protestantism.;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C91 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Laboratory, Individual Behavior
    • C93 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Field Experiments
    • D81 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Criteria for Decision-Making under Risk and Uncertainty
    • Z12 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics - - - Religion

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