Decision-Making and Sunk-Cost Effect Review

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Questions and Answers

What psychological phenomenon does the sunk-cost effect illustrate in decision-making?

  • Acceptance of probabilities as they are
  • The tendency to continue an endeavor once an investment in money, effort, or time has been made (correct)
  • Making decisions based only on intuition without analytical thinking
  • Rational choice based solely on future outcomes

Which of the following factors is crucial for effective debiasing in decision-making?

  • Reducing the complexity of decisions to avoid confusion
  • Increasing reliance on intuition over reasoning
  • Awareness of one's cognitive biases (correct)
  • Focusing exclusively on past experiences

How does normative rationality differ from behavioral economics?

  • Behavioral economics strictly adheres to traditional economic theories
  • Normative rationality assumes individuals always make optimal decisions (correct)
  • Normative rationality incorporates emotional influences in decision-making
  • Behavioral economics focuses on mathematical models exclusively

What is a primary goal of debiasing interventions?

<p>To reduce the influence of irrelevant information on decision-making (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which psychological model is often associated with the concept of rational choice?

<p>Behavioral model of rational choice (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role does self-reflection play in decision-making processes?

<p>It helps individuals recognize and correct biases (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of intuition as it relates to decision-making?

<p>It can lead to quick decisions that lack rigor (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In behavioral economics, what is the significance of heuristics?

<p>Heuristics simplify decision-making but can introduce biases (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is primarily examined in the study by Hong and Chang regarding decision-making?

<p>The role of self-construal in decision-making (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the focus of Deci and Ryan's work on goal pursuits?

<p>How human needs influence behavior motivation (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which phenomenon is described by Hsee and Weber in the context of risk preferences?

<p>Self-other discrepancies (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What concept do Hastie and Dawes challenge in their work on rational choice?

<p>The accuracy of rational decision being limited (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of decision-making does Donovan, Güss, and Naslund focus on in their research?

<p>Improving dynamic decision-making through training (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the power primer discussed by Cohen emphasize?

<p>The impact of statistical power on experimental results (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What critical argument is presented by Kahneman and his colleagues regarding major decisions?

<p>Self-reflection before making major decisions can reduce error (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What do Detje's theories of human action explain?

<p>The complexities involved in human behaviors and decision-making (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the homo oeconomicus model suggest about human beings?

<p>They prioritize monetary goals and have stable preferences. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do cognitive biases influence human decision-making?

<p>They lead to a systematic departure from normative standards. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of business decisions, according to Nutt (2002), are reported to fail?

<p>50% (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a common misconception regarding cognitive biases and human decisions?

<p>Cognitive biases do not affect most people's decisions. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best characterizes 'sunk-costs' in decision-making?

<p>Costs that have already been incurred and cannot be recovered. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which statement is true regarding real-life decision-making as discussed in the research?

<p>It can be significantly influenced by cognitive biases. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role do debiasing interventions play in decision-making?

<p>They provide tools to more accurately evaluate decisions and options. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the perception of human decision-making shortcomings affect its evaluation?

<p>It tends to exaggerate the idea of human irrationality. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

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Study Notes

Sunk-Cost Effect and Decision-Making

  • The sunk-cost effect refers to the tendency of individuals to continue an endeavor, or continue consuming, based on prior investments rather than future costs or benefits.
  • Meta-analytic reviews highlight this bias's significant impact on economic decision-making, revealing patterns of irrationality in human behavior.
  • Simon's model of rational choice suggests humans act as rational agents aiming to maximize utility, yet empirical research indicates systematic deviations from this model due to cognitive biases.

Cognitive Biases

  • Cognitive biases systematically affect real-life decision-making, challenging the assumption of human rationality.
  • Past studies indicate that about 50% of business decisions fail, underscoring a perceived flaw in human decision-making capabilities.
  • Various taxonomies exist to categorize these biases, informing on how they influence choices.

Debiasing Techniques

  • Techniques for debiasing are essential to improve decision-making, suggesting structured approaches to mitigate the impacts of biases.
  • Known methods include training and self-reflection which can enhance dynamic decision-making abilities in uncertain environments.

The Role of Intuition and Reasoning

  • Research explores the interplay between intuition and analytical reasoning in decision-making, suggesting that different self-construals may influence reliance on feelings versus reasoning.
  • Intuition plays a critical role alongside cognitive processes, impacting how choices are framed and evaluated in scenarios involving risk and uncertainty.

Implications for Economic Behavior

  • The discussion surrounding the homo oeconomicus model reveals the contrast between theoretical expectations and actual behaviors observed in real-world contexts.
  • The investigation into self-reflection and insight emphasizes the importance of understanding motivation behind biased decisions, potentially leading to strategies that enhance decision quality.

Overall Themes

  • Investigation of decision-making processes highlights the importance of understanding biases, intuition, and the rationality model.
  • Insights gained from examining cognitive behavior can inform practical applications in fields such as economics, psychology, and business management.

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