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An index of (absolute) correlation aversion: theory and some implications

Author

Listed:
  • David Crainich

    (CNRS-LEM and IESEG School of Management)

  • Louis Eeckhoudt

    (IESEG School of Management (LEM-CNRS) and and CORE (Université Catholique de Louvain))

  • Olivier Le Courtois

    (EM Lyon Business School)

Abstract

The concept of absolute risk aversion proposed by K. Arrow (1965) and J. Pratt (1964) and the assumption that it is decreasing in wealth has played a central role in the analysis of risky choices. Ten years later S. Richard (1975) defined correlation aversion in the framework of bivariate utility functions. Surprisingly however the measure of the intensity of correlation aversion has received so far almost no attention. In this paper we define an index of (absolute) correlation aversion and stress some of its properties. Besides we show how the assumption that it is decreasing in wealth generates new results for the analysis of risky choices under bivariate utility. Finally we indicate how these notions can be extended to higher orders of risk attitudes.

Suggested Citation

  • David Crainich & Louis Eeckhoudt & Olivier Le Courtois, 2013. "An index of (absolute) correlation aversion: theory and some implications," Working Papers 2013-ECO-12, IESEG School of Management.
    • Handle: RePEc:ies:wpaper:e201312
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Modica, Salvatore & Scarsini, Marco, 2005. "A note on comparative downside risk aversion," Journal of Economic Theory, Elsevier, vol. 122(2), pages 267-271, June.
    2. Denuit, Michel M. & Eeckhoudt, Louis, 2010. "Stronger measures of higher-order risk attitudes," Journal of Economic Theory, Elsevier, vol. 145(5), pages 2027-2036, September.
    3. Malevergne, Y. & Rey, B., 2009. "On cross-risk vulnerability," Insurance: Mathematics and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 45(2), pages 224-229, October.
    4. Kimball, Miles S, 1990. "Precautionary Saving in the Small and in the Large," Econometrica, Econometric Society, vol. 58(1), pages 53-73, January.
    5. Scott F. Richard, 1975. "Multivariate Risk Aversion, Utility Independence and Separable Utility Functions," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 22(1), pages 12-21, September.
    6. David Crainich & Louis Eeckhoudt, 2008. "On the intensity of downside risk aversion," Journal of Risk and Uncertainty, Springer, vol. 36(3), pages 267-276, June.
    7. Louis Eeckhoudt & Béatrice Rey & Harris Schlesinger, 2007. "A Good Sign for Multivariate Risk Taking," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 53(1), pages 117-124, January.
    8. Rothschild, Michael & Stiglitz, Joseph E., 1971. "Increasing risk II: Its economic consequences," Journal of Economic Theory, Elsevier, vol. 3(1), pages 66-84, March.
    9. Denuit, Michel & Rey, Béatrice, 2010. "Prudence, temperance, edginess, and risk apportionment as decreasing sensitivity to detrimental changes," Mathematical Social Sciences, Elsevier, vol. 60(2), pages 137-143, September.
    10. Denuit, Michel & Eeckhoudt, Louis, 2010. "Stronger measures of higher-order risk attitudes," LIDAM Discussion Papers ISBA 2010010, Université catholique de Louvain, Institute of Statistics, Biostatistics and Actuarial Sciences (ISBA).
    11. Michel Denuit & Béatrice Rey, 2010. "Prudence, temperance, edginess, and risk apportionment as decreasing sensitivity to detrimental changes," Post-Print halshs-03353470, HAL.
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    Cited by:

    1. Kakeu Johnson & Byron Sharri, 2016. "Optimistic about the future? How uncertainty and expectations about future consumption prospects affect optimal consumer behavior," The B.E. Journal of Macroeconomics, De Gruyter, vol. 16(1), pages 171-192, January.
    2. Christophe Muller, 2019. "Social Shock Sharing and Stochastic Dominance," AMSE Working Papers 1903, Aix-Marseille School of Economics, France.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Correlation aversion;

    JEL classification:

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

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