The Effect of Myopia and Loss Aversion on Risk Taking: An Experimental Test

S-Tier
Journal: Quarterly Journal of Economics
Year: 1997
Volume: 112
Issue: 2
Pages: 647-661

Authors (4)

Richard H. Thaler (University of Chicago) Amos Tversky (not in RePEc) Daniel Kahneman Alan Schwartz (not in RePEc)

Score contribution per author:

2.011 = (α=2.01 / 4 authors) × 4.0x S-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

Myopic loss aversion is the combination of a greater sensitivity to losses than to gains and a tendency to evaluate outcomes frequently. Two implications of myopic loss aversion are tested experimentally. 1. Investors who display myopic loss aversion will be more willing to accept risks if they evaluate their investments less often. 2. If all payoffs are increased enough to eliminate losses, investors will accept more risk. In a task in which investors learn from experience, both predictions are supported. The investors who got the most frequent feedback (and thus the most information) took the least risk and earned the least money.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:oup:qjecon:v:112:y:1997:i:2:p:647-661.
Journal Field
General
Author Count
4
Added to Database
2026-01-25