How Endogenization of the Reference Point Affects Loss Aversion: A Study of Portfolio Selection

Abstract

Endogenization of the Reference Point Reduces Loss AversionA central idea in behavioral economics is that agents derive utility from gain and losses relative to a certain reference point and that losses loom larger than gains. In “How Endogenization of the Reference Point Affects Loss Aversion: A Study of Portfolio Selection,” He and Strub study the implications of various models of partially endogenous reference points on portfolio selection. In these models, an agent faces a salient exogenous reference point that influences the formation of endogenously determined expectations about the future, through rational expectations, optimal expectations, or mental updating of the reference point. A key finding is that the predictions of these models are identical to a model with an exogenous reference point but a lower degree of loss aversion. This suggests that it is difficult to separately identify an agent’s degree of loss aversion and his or her reference point and may help to explain why experienced and sophisticated agents appear to be less loss averse than expected in some field settings.