Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 23, 2026

09:07
Protocol for Studying Extinction of Conditioned Fear in Naturally Cycling Female Rats
Published on: February 23, 2015
13.3K
Gender differences in risk attitudes
Advances in Health Economics and Health Services Research
|September 24, 2014
Summary
Men exhibit risk aversion, while women are risk-neutral, influencing healthcare decisions. These differing risk attitudes may explain gender disparities in health services utilization.
Area of Science:
- Health Economics
- Behavioral Economics
- Decision Science
Background:
- Existing research highlights gender disparities in healthcare utilization and outcomes.
- The influence of risk attitude on these disparities remains underexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate gender differences in health utilities.
- To examine gender variations in risk attitudes.
Main Methods:
- Collected data on 13 health states from 629 students using Time Trade-Off and Standard Gamble methods.
- Calculated a risk attitude coefficient for each respondent based on health state utilities.
- Compared risk coefficients between men and women using a t-statistic.
Main Results:
- A statistically significant difference in risk attitudes was observed between men and women.
- Men displayed a concave utility function, indicating risk aversion.
- Women exhibited a near-linear utility function, suggesting risk neutrality.
Conclusions:
- Gender-based differences in risk attitudes may significantly contribute to disparities in healthcare utilization.
- Further research is warranted to fully understand the impact of risk attitude on healthcare decision-making.
Related Concept Videos
Socioemotional Experience and Gender Development
421
Social-emotional experiences and cultural influences play significant roles in shaping gender development. During middle childhood, from ages 6 to 11, peer groups become dominant in reinforcing gender norms. Children in this age group often align with same-gender peer groups, which actively encourage behaviors that conform to traditional gender roles. For instance, boys may be discouraged from engaging in activities perceived as feminine, reinforcing culturally dictated norms about masculinity...
421
Conduct Disorder
1.0K
Conduct disorder is a complex mental health diagnosis characterized by a repetitive and persistent pattern of behavior that violates societal norms, the rights of others, or age-appropriate rules. The diagnostic criteria for conduct disorder require the presence of at least three problematic behaviors within the past 12 months, with at least one occurring in the past six months. These behaviors are grouped into four categories: aggression toward people and animals; destruction of property;...
1.0K
Panic Disorder
1.2K
Panic disorder is an anxiety disorder characterized by recurrent and sudden minutes-long episodes of intense fear, known as panic attacks. These attacks may feel like heart attacks and often happen without warning or a specific cause. They can include symptoms such as rapid heart rate, shortness of breath, chest pain, trembling, sweating, dizziness, and a sense of helplessness. During a panic attack, individuals may feel as though they are experiencing a heart attack or are in a...
1.2K
Self-Presentation: Self-Monitoring and Self-Handicapping
36.1K
People can go to great lengths to protect their self-image and present themselves in ways that they want others to see them. Sociologist Erving Goffman presented the idea that a person is like an actor on a stage. Calling his theory dramaturgy, Goffman believed that we use “impression management” to present ourselves to others as we hope to be perceived. Each situation is a new scene, and individuals perform different roles depending on who is present (Goffman, 1959). Think about...
36.1K
Criticisms of the Evolutionary Perspective
503
In a study where individuals posing as strangers offered compliments and proposed casual sex to students, the responses differed significantly based on gender. Not a single woman accepted the proposal, while 70% of the men agreed. This outcome provides a useful scenario to explore through the lens of evolutionary psychology and social learning theory, highlighting the diverse perspectives on human sexual behaviors.
Evolutionary psychology provides one explanation for these findings, suggesting...
Evolutionary psychology provides one explanation for these findings, suggesting...
503
Relative Risk
2.5K
Relative risk (RR) is a statistical measure commonly used in epidemiology to compare the likelihood of a particular event occurring between two groups. This metric is important for evaluating the relationship between exposure to a specific risk factor and the probability of a particular outcome. It plays a crucial role in medical research, public health studies, and risk assessment. Relative risk quantifies how much more (or less) likely an event is to occur in an exposed group compared to an...
2.5K

