On preference imprecision

Recent research invokes preference imprecision to explain violations of individual decision theory. While these inquiries are suggestive, the nature and significance of such imprecision remain poorly understood. We explore three questions using a new measurement tool in an experimental investigation...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Cubitt, Robin P., Navarro-Martinez, Daniel, Starmer, Chris
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de publicación:2015
País:España
Institución:Varias* (Consorci de Biblioteques Universitáries de Catalunya, Centre de Serveis Científics i Acadèmics de Catalunya)
Repositorio:Recercat. Dipósit de la Recerca de Catalunya
OAI Identifier:oai:recercat.cat:10230/58489
Acceso en línea:http://hdl.handle.net/10230/58489
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11166-015-9207-6
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Preference imprecision
Imprecision intervals
Noisy preferences
Violations of expected utility theory
Construct validity
Descripción
Sumario:Recent research invokes preference imprecision to explain violations of individual decision theory. While these inquiries are suggestive, the nature and significance of such imprecision remain poorly understood. We explore three questions using a new measurement tool in an experimental investigation of imprecision in lottery valuations: Does such preference imprecision vary coherently with lottery structure? Is it stable on repeat measurement? Does it have explanatory value for economic behaviour? We find that imprecision behaves coherently, shows no tendency to change systematically with experience, is related to choice variability, but is not a main driver of the violations of standard decision theory that we consider.