Sampling experience reverses preferences for ambiguity

People often need to choose between alternatives with known probabilities (risk) and alternatives with unknown probabilities (ambiguity). Such decisions are characterized by attitudes towards ambiguity, which are distinct from risk attitudes. Most studies of ambiguity attitudes have focused on the s...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Ert, Eyal (Author) , Trautmann, Stefan T. (Author)
Format: Article (Journal)
Language:English
Published: 20 August 2014
In: Journal of risk and uncertainty
Year: 2014, Volume: 49, Issue: 1, Pages: 31-42
ISSN:1573-0476
DOI:10.1007/s11166-014-9197-9
Online Access:Verlag, Volltext: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11166-014-9197-9
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Author Notes:Eyal Ert, Stefan T. Trautmann
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Summary:People often need to choose between alternatives with known probabilities (risk) and alternatives with unknown probabilities (ambiguity). Such decisions are characterized by attitudes towards ambiguity, which are distinct from risk attitudes. Most studies of ambiguity attitudes have focused on the static case of single choice, where decision makers typically prefer risky over ambiguous prospects. However, in many situations, decision makers may be able to sample outcomes of an ambiguous alternative, allowing for inferences about its probabilities. The current paper finds that such sampling experience reverses the pattern of ambiguity attitude observed in the static case. This effect can only partly be explained by the updating of probabilistic beliefs, suggesting a direct effect of sampling on attitudes toward ambiguity.
Item Description:Gesehen am 010.05.2019
Physical Description:Online Resource
ISSN:1573-0476
DOI:10.1007/s11166-014-9197-9