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Loss aversion and ruinous optimal wagers in cumulative prospect theory

Research output: Contribution to Journal/MagazineJournal articlepeer-review

Published
<mark>Journal publication date</mark>22/02/2017
<mark>Journal</mark>Economics Bulletin
Issue number1
Volume37
Number of pages9
Pages (from-to)352-360
Publication StatusPublished
<mark>Original language</mark>English

Abstract

We demonstrate that extant parametric specifications of Cumulative Prospect Theory exhibit counterfactual implications for optimal wagers at actuarially unfair odds. In particular they imply individuals may maximizes their utility, called value function in Cumulative Prospect Theory, by wagering all or large proportions of their wealth on actuarially unfair gambles. In order to eliminate this property it is necessary that loss aversion is unbounded and increases as stake size increases. We present new parametric specifications of the value function over losses that exhibit this feature and therefore eliminate the ruinous wagering property.