Propranolol and Loss Aversion

Previous work has suggested that arousal responses to gain and loss outcomes are related to loss aversion in participants’ choices. Though these previous data are correlational, they suggest a model in which these arousal responses causally and selectively influence choice. In this study, we administer the beta blocker propranolol to reduce arousal responses, and examine the resulting effect on risky decision-making, and loss aversion in particular.