Evolutionary Origins of the Endowment Effect: Evidence from Hunter-Gatherers

@article{Apicella2013EvolutionaryOO,
  title={Evolutionary Origins of the Endowment Effect: Evidence from Hunter-Gatherers},
  author={Coren L. Apicella and Eduardo M. Azevedo and Nicholas A. Christakis and James H. Fowler},
  journal={Behavioral \& Experimental Economics eJournal},
  year={2013}
}
The endowment effect, the tendency to value possessions more than non-possessions, is a well known departure from rational choice and has been replicated in numerous settings. We investigate the universality of the endowment effect, its evolutionary significance, and its dependence on environmental factors. We experimentally test for the endowment effect in an isolated and evolutionarily relevant population of hunter-gatherers, the Hadza Bushmen of Northern Tanzania. We find that Hadza living… 

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