Digit ratio and risk taking: evidence from a large, multi-ethnic sample

Brañas-Garza, Pablo, Galizzi, Matteo M. ORCID: 0000-0002-7757-5625 and Nieboer, Jeroen (2014) Digit ratio and risk taking: evidence from a large, multi-ethnic sample. Working Papers (14-23). Chapman University, Economic Science Institute, California, USA.

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Abstract

Using a large (n=543) multi-ethnic sample of laboratory subjects, we systematically investigate the link between the digit ratio (the ratio of the length of the index finger to the length of the ring finger, also called 2D:4D ratio) and two measures of individual risk taking: (i) risk preferences over lotteries with real monetary incentives and (ii) self-reported risk attitude. Previous studies have found that the digit ratio, a proxy for pre-natal testosterone exposure, correlates with risk taking in some subject samples, but not others. In our sample, we find, first, that the right-hand digit ratio is significantly associated with risk preferences: subjects with lower right-hand ratios tend to choose more risky lotteries. Second, the right-hand digit ratio is not associated with self-reported risk attitudes. Third, there is no statistically significant association between the left-hand digit ratio and either measure of individual risk taking.

Item Type:	Monograph (Working Paper)
Official URL:	http://www.chapman.edu/
Additional Information:	© 2014 The Authors
Divisions:	Social Policy
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HV Social pathology. Social and public welfare. Criminology
JEL classification:	C - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods > C9 - Design of Experiments > C91 - Laboratory, Individual Behavior C - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods > C9 - Design of Experiments > C92 - Laboratory, Group Behavior D - Microeconomics > D4 - Market Structure and Pricing > D44 - Auctions D - Microeconomics > D8 - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty > D81 - Criteria for Decision-Making under Risk and Uncertainty
Date Deposited:	19 Feb 2015 12:06
Last Modified:	01 Nov 2024 04:55
URI:	http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/id/eprint/60995

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