Abstract:

Loss aversion refers to a phenomenon that the disutility of a loss is larger than the utility of an equivalent gain. Its origin can be explained from the aspects of neuroeconomics and evolutionary psychology. The brain mechanisms of loss aversion are divided into two systems—the subjective value evaluation system mainly including striatum and prefrontal cortex, which is associated with the assessment of subjective value; the emotional arousal system mainly including amygdala and insula, which is related to negative emotions like disgust. Under the framework of evolutionary psychology, the present paper reviews the researches of animal behavioral decision-making to explore the evolutionary history of loss aversion, and then summarizes its evolutionary explanations based on related evolutionary theories. Finally, the deficiencies existing in current research and the directions for future research are discussed.

Key words: loss aversion, subjective value evaluation system, emotional arousal system, evolutionary psychology