Separating response variability from structural inconsistency to test models of risky decision making

Individual true and error theory assumes that responses by the same person to the same choice problem within a block of trials are based on the same true preferences but may show preference reversals due to random error. Between blocks, a person{}'s true preferences may differ or stay the same....

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Main Authors: Michael H. Birnbaum, Jeffrey P. Bahra
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Cambridge University Press 2012-07-01
Series:Judgment and Decision Making
Subjects:
Online Access:http://journal.sjdm.org/12/12315/jdm12315.pdf
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author Michael H. Birnbaum
Jeffrey P. Bahra
author_facet Michael H. Birnbaum
Jeffrey P. Bahra
author_sort Michael H. Birnbaum
collection DOAJ
description Individual true and error theory assumes that responses by the same person to the same choice problem within a block of trials are based on the same true preferences but may show preference reversals due to random error. Between blocks, a person{}'s true preferences may differ or stay the same. This theory is illustrated with studies testing two critical properties that distinguish models of risky decision making: (1) restricted branch independence, which is implied by original prospect theory and violated in a specific way by both cumulative prospect theory and the priority heuristic; and (2) stochastic dominance, which is implied by cumulative prospect theory. Corrected for random error, most individuals systematically violated stochastic dominance, ruling out cumulative prospect theory. Furthermore, most people violated restricted branch independence in the opposite way predicted by that theory and the priority heuristic. Both violations are consistent with the transfer of attention exchange model. No one was found whose data were compatible with cumulative prospect theory, except for those that were also compatible with expected utility, and no one satisfied the priority heuristic.
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spelling doaj.art-2aa46b66920442b2844ba90668bb825b2023-09-02T22:00:23ZengCambridge University PressJudgment and Decision Making1930-29752012-07-0174402426Separating response variability from structural inconsistency to test models of risky decision makingMichael H. BirnbaumJeffrey P. BahraIndividual true and error theory assumes that responses by the same person to the same choice problem within a block of trials are based on the same true preferences but may show preference reversals due to random error. Between blocks, a person{}'s true preferences may differ or stay the same. This theory is illustrated with studies testing two critical properties that distinguish models of risky decision making: (1) restricted branch independence, which is implied by original prospect theory and violated in a specific way by both cumulative prospect theory and the priority heuristic; and (2) stochastic dominance, which is implied by cumulative prospect theory. Corrected for random error, most individuals systematically violated stochastic dominance, ruling out cumulative prospect theory. Furthermore, most people violated restricted branch independence in the opposite way predicted by that theory and the priority heuristic. Both violations are consistent with the transfer of attention exchange model. No one was found whose data were compatible with cumulative prospect theory, except for those that were also compatible with expected utility, and no one satisfied the priority heuristic.http://journal.sjdm.org/12/12315/jdm12315.pdfNANAKeywords
spellingShingle Michael H. Birnbaum
Jeffrey P. Bahra
Separating response variability from structural inconsistency to test models of risky decision making
Judgment and Decision Making
NANAKeywords
title Separating response variability from structural inconsistency to test models of risky decision making
title_full Separating response variability from structural inconsistency to test models of risky decision making
title_fullStr Separating response variability from structural inconsistency to test models of risky decision making
title_full_unstemmed Separating response variability from structural inconsistency to test models of risky decision making
title_short Separating response variability from structural inconsistency to test models of risky decision making
title_sort separating response variability from structural inconsistency to test models of risky decision making
topic NANAKeywords
url http://journal.sjdm.org/12/12315/jdm12315.pdf
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