Intergenerational transfer of time and risk preferences

Bibliographic Data

ID11289335
AuthorsHeather Brown (0000-0002-0067-991X, Newcastle University, corresponding author), Marjon Van Der Pol (0000-0003-0636-1184, University of Aberdeen)
Year2015
Volume49
Pages187-204
Publication date2015-08-01
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Economic Psychology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0167-4870 • E-ISSN: 1872-7719
PublisherElsevier BV (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1016/j.joep.2015.06.003
PMID26412913
OpenAlexW588295666
LanguageEN
Citations received14
References cited22

There is a growing interest in individual time and risk preferences. Little is known about how these preferences are formed. It is hypothesised that parents may transmit their preferences to their offspring. This paper examines the correlation in offspring and parental time and risk preferences using data from an annual household survey in Australia (the HILDA survey). Both time and risk preferences are examined and we explored whether the correlation in time and risk preferences varies across the distribution of preferences and across the across the four parent-child dyads (mother/daughter, mother/son, father/daughter, father/son). The results show that there is a significant relationship between parents and their young adult offspring risk and time preference measures. The correlation varies across the distribution of time preferences. The correlation was largest for longer planning horizons. Risk averse parents are more likely to have risk averse children. Except for the father/daughter dyad risk seeking parents are more likely to have risk seeking offspring. Some gender differences were found. The association in parental and offspring time preference was larger for mothers than fathers. Daughters are more likely to be influenced by their mother's risk preferences, however, sons are equally influenced by both parents. The results of this study suggest that the transmission in preferences is more nuanced than previously thought and parental gender may be important

Economics · Transfer (computing · Computer Science · Decision-Making and Behavioral Economics · Psychological and Temporal Perspectives Research · Psychological Well-being and Life Satisfaction · Psychology

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