Abstract

This study examined how risk-taking propensity in monetary decision-making is linked to distributive preferences toward others, and how this association is moderated by social dominance orientation (SDO). Using a nationally quota-matched online panel of 1,000 adults in South Korea, participants completed a monetary gambling task and a resource-allocation task, and computational models were used to quantify individual differences in risk-taking propensity and distributive preferences. Results showed that, although substantial individual variability was observed, in general, participants tend to be risk-averse and preferred maximin allocations that prioritized the least well-off. Individuals with higher risk-taking propensity preferred utilitarian allocations that emphasized maximizing the total amount, whereas individuals with stronger risk aversion propensity preferred maximin allocations. Moreover, the association between risk-taking propensity and distributive preferences was moderated by SDO, such that the relationship became significantly stronger as SDO increased. These findings suggest that decisions for the self and for others may be linked by a shared tendency to accept risk in the pursuit of economic efficiency, and that endorsement of hierarchical social structure and acceptance of inequality-as captured by SDO-can amplify this linkage.