Behavioral Economics: Prospect Theory Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What is the main purpose of Prospect Theory as developed by Kahneman and Tversky?

  • To explain risk aversion within Expected Utility Theory
  • To account for behavioral anomalies unexplainable by Expected Utility Theory (correct)
  • To eliminate the concept of loss aversion in decision-making
  • To refine the axioms of Expected Utility Theory

Which of the following is NOT a component of the two-stage process in Prospect Theory?

  • Outcome determination
  • Evaluation
  • Editing
  • Risk assessment (correct)

In the context of Prospect Theory, how are outcomes defined according to the theory?

  • Relative to a reference point as gains and losses (correct)
  • As probabilities of independent events
  • In terms of absolute values
  • Based on overall utility maximization

Which phenomenon describes individuals' tendency to prefer avoiding losses over acquiring equivalent gains within Prospect Theory?

<p>Loss aversion (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What significant violation within Expected Utility Theory is highlighted by Prospect Theory?

<p>Invariance axiom (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does loss aversion imply about people's preferences when facing potential losses?

<p>People are more sensitive to losses than to equivalent gains. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to Expected Utility Theory, what is required for transitivity to hold?

<p>If q is preferred to r and r is preferred to s, then q must be preferred to s. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the independence axiom state in the context of decision-making?

<p>The outcome should remain unchanged regardless of the choice made. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes nonlinear preferences in behavioral economics?

<p>Individuals experience varying levels of satisfaction from different outcomes. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a key characteristic of risk aversion according to Expected Utility Theory?

<p>Preferring certain outcomes over uncertain ones. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does Expected Utility Theory (EUT) primarily focus on?

<p>Preferences, beliefs, and utility maximization (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a key characteristic of risk aversion in decisions?

<p>Tendency to prefer certain outcomes over uncertain ones (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which phenomenon refers to the tendency to prefer smaller, certain rewards over larger, uncertain ones?

<p>Loss aversion (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role does Prospect Theory play in behavioral economics?

<p>It serves as an alternative to Expected Utility Theory. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the two main stages in Prospect Theory?

<p>Editing and evaluation (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of preferences does Prospect Theory specifically address?

<p>Nonlinear preferences within risky contexts (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which axiom is NOT part of Expected Utility Theory?

<p>Risk neutrality (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes 'nonlinear preferences' as referenced in behavioral economics?

<p>Preferences that change in relation to probability (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does prospect theory primarily address in decision-making?

<p>Understanding risk aversion (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the expected utility for option A (V(A)) based on the given probabilities and outcomes?

<p>2.55 (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In option B, what is the main reason for the higher expected utility compared to option A?

<p>More favorable outcomes with higher probabilities (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements best represents risk seeking in decision-making?

<p>Opting for higher variance in potential outcomes (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role does loss aversion play in behavioral economics?

<p>Leading individuals to prefer avoiding losses over acquiring equivalent gains (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of the utility function mentioned in the expected utility theory?

<p>A mapping of probabilities to outcomes and their relative desirability (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which axiom is not typically associated with expected utility theory?

<p>Loss aversion (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the 'editing' stage in prospect theory involve?

<p>Simplifying options for easier evaluation (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the editing phase in Prospect Theory aim to do?

<p>Organize and reformulate the options for simpler evaluation (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following concepts is NOT a part of Prospect Theory?

<p>Utility maximization (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the context of Prospect Theory, what does loss aversion refer to?

<p>The tendency to prefer certain losses over probabilistic gains (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a major operation involved in the editing phase of Prospect Theory?

<p>Valuation (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does Prospect Theory primarily explain in decision-making?

<p>How people evaluate potential losses and gains (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of these options signifies a characteristic of nonlinear preferences in Prospect Theory?

<p>Disproportionate weighting of low and high probabilities (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the evaluation stage of Prospect Theory, what is primarily assessed?

<p>The final decision based on simplified prospects (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes risk-seeking behavior in the context of Prospect Theory?

<p>Preferring to gamble even when potential losses are significant (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In expected utility calculations, how is utility derived from monetary values?

<p>Through the use of an expected utility function (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the expected utility of accepting a gamble with a 50% chance of winning $1 and a 50% chance of losing $1 for a risk-averse individual?

<p>1.37 (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What outcome should a risk-neutral individual prefer in a gamble offering equal chances of winning and losing?

<p>It does not matter; both options yield the same utility (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which concept highlights the tendency of individuals to prefer avoiding losses rather than acquiring equivalent gains?

<p>Loss aversion (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How is the expected utility for the prospect of $1000 with a 50% probability calculated?

<p>As U(r) = 0.5 × 10000.5 (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

When faced with a $2 ownership and a gamble, what is the expected utility of rejecting the gamble?

<p>1.41 (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes the non-linear preferences observed in expected utility theory?

<p>Diminishing sensitivity to changes in wealth (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What principle is illustrated when a decision-maker opts for a gamble despite having a guaranteed amount?

<p>Risk seeking (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Prospect Theory (PT)

A choice model which addresses anomalies found in the expected utility theory (EUT)

Editing Stage in PT

The first stage of prospect theory where people simplify choices by grouping similar options

Evaluation Stage in PT

The second stage of prospect theory where people evaluate and make their decisions based on the perceived gains and losses (or lack thereof)

Reference Point in PT

The reference point for determining gains and losses in Prospect Theory, often the status quo.

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Loss Aversion in PT

The concept that individuals are more sensitive to losses than to equivalent gains, impacting their decisions.

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Loss Aversion

A person is more sensitive to losses than to gains of the same size. It means people feel the pain of a loss more strongly than the pleasure of an equivalent gain.

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Risk Seeking

A person is willing to take on more risk when faced with potential losses, compared to when they are facing potential gains.

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Expected Utility Theory (EUT)

This theory states that people make decisions based on expected utility, which is the weighted average of utility values associated with different outcomes. It assumes people are rational and make consistent choices.

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Axioms of Preference

These are rules that govern preferences. For example, if a person prefers option A to option B, and option B to option C, they must prefer option A to option C.

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Completeness Axiom

This axiom states that for any two choices, a person must prefer one, or be indifferent between them. There cannot be an option that cannot be compared.

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Axioms in EUT

Axioms are basic assumptions used in building EUT. They include completeness, transitivity, continuity, and independence.

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Anomalies in EUT

These are deviations from the predictions of EUT, suggesting that people don't always make decisions rationally.

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Prospect Theory

Prospect Theory provides an alternative to EUT, suggesting that people are influenced by how options are framed and presented.

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Two Stages of Prospect Theory

Prospect Theory involves two stages: Editing and Evaluation. Editing simplifies the decision by framing choices, while Evaluation involves assigning value to options.

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Editing Phase

A mental shortcut to make decisions easier by simplifying complex options.

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Evaluation Phase

The process of evaluating options and making a choice after they've been simplified.

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Nonlinear Probability Decision Weighting

The idea that probabilities are not always perceived objectively, and people tend to overweight small probabilities and underweight large ones.

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Framing Effects

In decision-making, it describes how people's choices are influenced by the way options are framed or presented.

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Nonlinear preferences

Utility functions that do not exhibit a linear relationship between monetary value and utility. People value gains and losses differently.

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Expected utility theory

A theory in economics that explains how individuals make decisions when facing uncertainty. It assumes people choose options that maximize their expected utility.

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Utility function

A function that transforms monetary values into utility values. Different individuals have different utility functions.

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Behavioural economics

A framework within economics that tries to explain and predict economic behaviour, considering psychological factors like biases and heuristics. It challenges classic economic assumptions.

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Risk Seeking (Loss Domain)

Tendency to favor riskier options when facing potential losses. Individuals are more willing to take risks to avoid a loss.

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Editing Phase (Prospect Theory)

A set of rules that individuals use to simplify and organize their decision-making process. These rules can include framing, editing, and weighting of information.

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Evaluation Phase (Prospect Theory)

The process of evaluating the potential outcomes of different choices based on their probabilities and perceived values. Individuals assign subjective values to outcomes and then weigh them by their likelihood of occurring.

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