Decisions Under Uncertainty in Social Contexts

This paper theoretically and experimentally studies decision-making in risky and social environments. We explore the interdependence of individual risk attitudes and social preferences in form of inequality aversion as two decisive behavioral determinants in such contexts. Our model and the data demonstrate that individual risk aversion is attenuated when lagging behind peers, whereas it is amplified under favorable income inequality. People's choices are not only context-dependent, but are sensitive to their degree of inequality aversion. The findings contribute to the understanding of decision-making in environments like trading at stock markets, the saving patterns of households or charitable giving under uncertainty