Title: Social identity and preferences
First published: 2007
Description: In two laboratory experiments, we examine whether norms associated with one's social identity affect time and risk preferences. When we make ethnic identity salient to Asian-American subjects, they make more patient choices. When we make race salient to black subjects, non-immigrant blacks (but not immigrant blacks) make more risk-averse choices. Making gender identity salient causes choices to conform to gender norms the subject believes are relatively more common. Our results provide evidence that identity effects play a role in shaping U.S. demographic patterns in economic behaviors and outcomes.
Subjects: African Americans, Demography, Economic aspects, Economic aspects of Demography, Economic aspects of Gender identity, Economic aspects of Group identity, Economic aspects of Identity (Psychology), Gender identity, Group identity, Identity (Psychology), Race identity
Places: United States