Can Prospect Theory Be Used to Predict an Investor's Willingness to Pay?

Posted: 20 Feb 2012 Last revised: 19 May 2013

See all articles by Carsten Erner

Carsten Erner

University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) - Anderson School of Management

Alexander Klos

University of Kiel - Institute for Quantitative Business and Economics Research (QBER)

Thomas Langer

University of Muenster - Finance Center

Date Written: January 26, 2013

Abstract

Cumulative prospect theory (CPT) is widely considered to be the most successful descriptive theory for decision making under risk and uncertainty. Sophisticated methods have been developed to reliably elicit CPT parameters on an individual basis. The aim of this paper is to analyze whether such methods are suited to be applied in real world situations, particularly in the context of investment counseling for retail investors. Specifically, we examine whether CPT parameters elicited via standardized computer tools are successful in predicting an individual’s preference for different structured financial products. Surprisingly, we find only low predictive power of the elicited CPT parameters on the WTP. Using a second set of experiments, we examine possible explanations for the low prediction quality. Overall, we have to conclude that it is too much of a leap to draw conclusions about the attractiveness of complex financial products from CPT parameters elicited via simple lotteries.

Keywords: Cumulative prospect theory, Preference elicitation, Retail investor, Behavioral finance, Structured financial product

JEL Classification: C91, D11, D81, G20

Suggested Citation

Erner, Carsten and Klos, Alexander and Langer, Thomas, Can Prospect Theory Be Used to Predict an Investor's Willingness to Pay? (January 26, 2013). Journal of Banking and Finance, Vol. 37, No. 6, 2013, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1099928 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1099928

Carsten Erner (Contact Author)

University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) - Anderson School of Management ( email )

110 Westwood Plaza
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1481
United States

Alexander Klos

University of Kiel - Institute for Quantitative Business and Economics Research (QBER) ( email )

Heinrich-Hecht-Platz 9
Kiel, 24118
Germany

HOME PAGE: http://www.qber.uni-kiel.de/

Thomas Langer

University of Muenster - Finance Center ( email )

Universitatsstr. 14-16
Muenster, 48143
Germany
+49 251 83 22033 (Phone)

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