5. Risky choices

2017 ◽  
pp. 49-66
Author(s):  
Michelle Baddeley
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Prospect Theory ◽  
Expected Utility Theory ◽  
Mental Accounting ◽  
Lottery Ticket ◽  
Risk And Uncertainty ◽  
The Road ◽  
Risky Choices ◽  
Accounting Model ◽  
Isolation Effects

When we decide to cross the road, buy a lottery ticket, or invest our money, the decision involves risk and uncertainty. ‘Risky choices’ looks at how economists usually think of risk as quantifiable—in the form of expected utility theory—but behavioural economists challenge this understanding of risk. Daniel Kahneman and Amos Tversky developed prospect theory, which could incorporate the anomalous behaviour identified by the Allais and Ellsberg Paradoxes. They argued that any decision-making theory should be able to explain the certainty, reflection, and isolation effects. Alternatives to prospect theory include Richard Thaler’s mental accounting model and the regret theory of Graham Loomes and Robert Sugden.

scholarly journals The framing of nothing and the psychology of choice

2019 ◽  
Vol 59 (2) ◽  
pp. 125-149 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marc Scholten ◽  
Daniel Read ◽  
Neil Stewart
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Prospect Theory ◽  
Intertemporal Choice ◽  
Intrinsic Value ◽  
Mental Accounting ◽  
Risky Choice ◽  
Shared Understanding ◽  
Accounting Model ◽  
Zero Effect ◽  
Double Entry

AbstractZero outcomes are inconsequential in most models of choice. However, when disclosing zero outcomes they must be designated. It has been shown that a gamble is judged to be more attractive when its zero outcome is designated as “losing $0” rather than “winning $0,” an instance of what we refer to as the mutable-zero effect. Drawing on norm theory, we argue that “losing $0” or “paying $0” evokes counterfactual losses, with which the zero outcome compares favorably (a good zero), and thus acquires positive value, whereas “winning $0” or “receiving $0” evokes counterfactual gains, with which the zero outcome compares unfavorably (a bad zero), and thus acquires negative value. Moreover, we propose that the acquired value of zero outcomes operates just as the intrinsic value of nonzero outcomes in the course of decision making. We derive testable implications from prospect theory for mutable-zero effects in risky choice, and from the double-entry mental accounting model for mutable-zero effects in intertemporal choice. The testable implications are consistently confirmed. We conclude that prevalent theories of choice can explain how decisions are influenced by mutable zeroes, on the shared understanding that nothing can have value, just like everything else.

scholarly journals ECONOMICS OF RANDOMNESS: BEHAVIORAL ASPECTS OF DECISION MAKING UNDER RISK

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 7-14
Author(s):  
Alexander Krasilnikov
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Risk Analysis ◽  
Uncertainty Analysis ◽  
Expected Utility ◽  
Utility Theory ◽  
Expected Utility Theory ◽  
Probabilistic Methods ◽  
Risk And Uncertainty ◽  
Decision Making Under Risk ◽  
History Of

The paper discusses evolution of the concept of risk in economics. History of probabilistic methods and approaches to risk and uncertainty analysis is considered. Expected utility theory, behavioral approaches, heuristic models and methods of neuroeconomics are analyzed. Author investigates stability of neoclassical program related to risk analysis and suggests further directions of development.

The Road Ahead

2019 ◽  
pp. 229-238
Author(s):  
Richard Pettigrew
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Expected Utility ◽  
Expected Utility Theory ◽  
Rational Decision ◽  
The Road ◽  
Risk Sensitive ◽  
Aggregate Utility ◽  
Imprecise Credences ◽  
Theory Framework

This final chapter of the book summarizes the conclusions of the preceding chapters and looks forward to how the Aggregate Utility Solution might be generalized so that it applies not only to the expected utility theory framework, but also to other frameworks for rational decision-making. In particular, it explains how we might extend the Aggregate Utility Solution to the framework of imprecise credences and utilities, and to the framework of risk-sensitive decision theories.

scholarly journals Deal or No Deal? Decision Making under Risk in a Large-Payoff Game Show

2008 ◽  
Vol 98 (1) ◽  
pp. 38-71 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thierry Post ◽  
Martijn J van den Assem ◽  
Guido Baltussen ◽  
Richard H Thaler
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Risk Aversion ◽  
Prospect Theory ◽  
Expected Utility ◽  
Utility Theory ◽  
Path Dependence ◽  
Expected Utility Theory ◽  
Decision Making Under Risk ◽  
Game Show ◽  
Dependent Choice

We examine the risky choices of contestants in the popular TV game show “Deal or No Deal” and related classroom experiments. Contrary to the traditional view of expected utility theory, the choices can be explained in large part by previous outcomes experienced during the game. Risk aversion decreases after earlier expectations have been shattered by unfavorable outcomes or surpassed by favorable outcomes. Our results point to reference-dependent choice theories such as prospect theory, and suggest that path-dependence is relevant, even when the choice problems are simple and well defined, and when large real monetary amounts are at stake. (JEL D81)

scholarly journals An Intuitionistic Fuzzy Stochastic Decision-Making Method Based on Case-Based Reasoning and Prospect Theory

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peng Li ◽  
Yingjie Yang ◽  
Cuiping Wei
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Prospect Theory ◽  
Programming Model ◽  
Score Function ◽  
Multicriteria Decision Making ◽  
Expected Utility Theory ◽  
Fuzzy Decision Making ◽  
Case Based Reasoning ◽  
Intuitionistic Fuzzy ◽  
Case Based

According to the case-based reasoning method and prospect theory, this paper mainly focuses on finding a way to obtain decision-makers’ preferences and the criterion weights for stochastic multicriteria decision-making problems and classify alternatives. Firstly, we construct a new score function for an intuitionistic fuzzy number (IFN) considering the decision-making environment. Then, we aggregate the decision-making information in different natural states according to the prospect theory and test decision-making matrices. A mathematical programming model based on a case-based reasoning method is presented to obtain the criterion weights. Moreover, in the original decision-making problem, we integrate all the intuitionistic fuzzy decision-making matrices into an expectation matrix using the expected utility theory and classify or rank the alternatives by the case-based reasoning method. Finally, two illustrative examples are provided to illustrate the implementation process and applicability of the developed method.

Perceptions and Framing of Risk, Uncertainty, Loss, and Failure in Entrepreneurship

2014 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-17
Author(s):  
Kimberly M. Green
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Prospect Theory ◽  
Risk Taking ◽  
Organizational Innovation ◽  
Mental Accounting ◽  
Reference Points ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Perceptions Of Risk ◽  
Learning From Failure ◽  
Innovation And Change

Research indicates that perceptions of risk and loss affect decision-making. Entrepreneurship presents a context in which risk, failure, and loss frequently frame decisions. This paper presents a review of the entrepreneurship literature that is grounded in Kahneman and Tversky's 1979 article on prospect theory. The theory's contribution to the understanding of how the framing of losses affects decisions offers a useful foundation for considering streams of research in entrepreneurship and small business, given that the prospects for loss and failure are high in these endeavors. This review identifies 79 articles and organizes them into four broad themes: risk-taking perspectives of the entrepreneur and stakeholders, aspirations and reference points, organizational innovation and change, and learning from failure. The review concludes by considering the future research potential in the topics of regret, mental accounting, and an understanding of competitors.

Multi-stage group risk decision making with grey numbers based on grey target and prospect theory

2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 64-79 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shuli Yan ◽  
Sifeng Liu
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Prospect Theory ◽  
Group Decision ◽  
Expected Utility Theory ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Multi Stage ◽  
Zero Reference ◽  
Grey Number ◽  
Risk Decision

Purpose – With respect to multi-stage group risk decision-making problems in which all the attribute values take the form of grey number, and the weights of stages and decision makers are unknown, the purpose of this paper is to propose a new decision-making method based on grey target and prospect theory. Design/methodology/approach – First, the sequencing and distance between two grey numbers are introduced. Then, a linear operator with the features of the “rewarding good and punishing bad” is presented based on the grey target given by decision maker, and the prospect value function of each attribute based on the zero reference point is defined. Next, weight models of stages and decision makers are suggested, which are based on restriction of stage fluctuation, the maximum differences of alternatives and the maximum entropy theory. Furthermore, the information of alternatives is aggregated by WA operator, the alternatives are selected by their prospect values. Findings – The comprehensive cumulative prospect values are finally aggregated by WA operator, alternatives are selected or not are judged by the sign of the comprehensive prospect theory, if the prospect value of alternative is negative, the corresponding alternative misses the group decision makers’ grey target, on the contrary, if the prospect value of alternative is positive, the corresponding alternative is dropped into the group decision makers’ grey target, the alternative with positive prospect value whose value is the maximum is selected. Originality/value – Compared with the traditional decision-making methods using expected utility theory which suppose the decision makers are all completely rational, the proposed method is based on irrational which is more in line with the decision maker’s psychology. And this method considers the decision maker’s psychological expectation values about every attribute, different satisfactory grey target about attributes will directly affect decision-making result.

Stochastic interval-grey number VIKOR method based on prospect theory

2015 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 105-116 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qingsheng LI ◽  
Ni Zhao
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Prospect Theory ◽  
Expected Utility Theory ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Vikor Method ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Multi Attribute Decision Making ◽  
Grey Number ◽  
Index Weight ◽  
Attribute Value

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to deal with interval grey-stochastic multi-attribute decision-making problems. It proposes a VIKOR method based on prospect theory in which probabilities and the attribute value are both grey numbers. Design/methodology/approach – In the prospect theory the results values and probability weight are used while the utility and probability values in the expected utility theory, which the more realistically reflect and describe the decision makers on the optimal process. VIKOR method makes the decision acceptable superiority and decision process stability. At the same time, a new interval grey number entropy is put forward, which is used to calculate the index weight of unknown. Findings – The paper provides a VIKOR method based on prospect theory in which probabilities and the attribute value are both grey numbers. And the validity and feasibility of the method are illustrated by an example. Research limitations/implications – Although VIKOR is much closer to PIS than TOPSIS, at the same time VIKOR method can get the compromise solution with priority, researchers are encouraged to carry on comparative study further. Practical implications – The paper includes interval grey-stochastic multi-attribute decision-making method and implications. The validity and feasibility of the method are illustrated by a case. Originality/value – This paper proposes a VIKOR method based on prospect theory in which probabilities and the attribute value are both interval grey numbers. At the same time, a new interval grey number entropy is put forward, which is used to calculate the index weight of unknown.

scholarly journals Farm decision making under risk and uncertainty

1997 ◽  
Vol 45 (2) ◽  
pp. 307-328 ◽  
Author(s):  
G.B.C. Backus ◽  
V.R. Eidman ◽  
A.A. Dijkhuizen
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Expected Utility ◽  
Utility Theory ◽  
Expected Utility Theory ◽  
Decision Problems ◽  
Subjective Expected Utility ◽  
Risk And Uncertainty ◽  
Decision Making Under Risk ◽  
Agricultural Risk ◽  
Risk Research

Relevant portions of the risk literature are reviewed, relating them to observed behaviour in farm decision-making. Relevant topics for applied agricultural risk research are proposed. The concept of decision making under risk and uncertainty is discussed by reviewing the theory of Subjective Expected Utility and its limitations. Subjective Expected Utility theory is the major framework for thinking systematically through complex issues of decision. Limitations of Subjective Expected Utility theory were that its application to unique decisions is doubtful, that it does not contribute to difficulties in determining the available decision alternatives, and that it is cast in a timeless setting, making the theoretic framework to a very limited extent helpful to solve real world decision problems. Most empirical studies indicate that farmers are risk neutral to slightly risk averse. It is doubtful whether decision makers could be classified according to their risk preferences. A presented overview of applied risk responses reveals much attention for diversification of the enterprise and of production practices, maintaining reserves, and farm expansion. Research reports on observed problems in farm decision making behaviour are lacking. Proposed topics for agricultural risk research include the assessment of the need for a strategic change, the creation of databases to determine both the (co)variances of input and output prices, the effectiveness of various kinds of decision support for different decision problems, and methods for applied scenario analysis to deal with long-run risk.

scholarly journals Perceptions and Framing of Risk, Uncertainty, Loss, and Failure in Entrepreneurship

Economics ◽  
2015 ◽  
pp. 126-144
Author(s):  
Kimberly M. Green
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Small Business ◽  
Prospect Theory ◽  
Organizational Innovation ◽  
Mental Accounting ◽  
Reference Points ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Perceptions Of Risk ◽  
Learning From Failure ◽  
Innovation And Change

Research indicates that perceptions of risk and loss affect decision-making. Entrepreneurship presents a context in which risk, failure, and loss frequently frame decisions. This paper presents a review of the entrepreneurship literature that is grounded in Kahneman and Tversky's 1979 article on prospect theory. The theory's contribution to the understanding of how the framing of losses affects decisions offers a useful foundation for considering streams of research in entrepreneurship and small business, given that the prospects for loss and failure are high in these endeavors. This review identifies 79 articles and organizes them into four broad themes: risk-taking perspectives of the entrepreneur and stakeholders, aspirations and reference points, organizational innovation and change, and learning from failure. The review concludes by considering the future research potential in the topics of regret, mental accounting, and an understanding of competitors.

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