Models of Risk Preferences

Models of Risk Preferences

Author: Glenn W. Harrison

Publisher: Emerald Group Publishing

Published: 2023-10-23

Total Pages: 291

ISBN-13: 1837972702

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Models of Risk Preferences collects studies that critically review alternatives to Expected Utility Theory from the perspective of experimental economics.


Book Synopsis Models of Risk Preferences by : Glenn W. Harrison

Download or read book Models of Risk Preferences written by Glenn W. Harrison and published by Emerald Group Publishing. This book was released on 2023-10-23 with total page 291 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Models of Risk Preferences collects studies that critically review alternatives to Expected Utility Theory from the perspective of experimental economics.


Model Complexity and Risk Aversion in Decision Analysis

Model Complexity and Risk Aversion in Decision Analysis

Author: Colin Andrew Small

Publisher:

Published: 2023

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13:

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Models are often formulated to aid in decision-making. However, the details included or excluded are often determined with minimal examination of the effects. There is a tendency to make models more complex than merited. Yet, decision makers’ risk preferences are often ignored without considering the effect on recommendations. Additionally, modelers do not always understand the difference between preferences toward deterministic outcomes and risk preferences or the impact of modeling conflicting risk and deterministic preferences together in a single component. In this paper, I investigate the relationship between complexity and accuracy, using COVID-19 forecasting as a case study. I find our simple model is comparable in accuracy to highly publicized models, generating among the best-calibrated forecasts. This may be surprising, given the complexity of many high-profile models supported by large teams. However, it is consistent with research suggesting simple models perform very well in a variety of settings. Although utility functions are a fundamental component of decision analysis, they can assume many forms. For small decisions, the choice might not change the decision. But it can greatly affect recommendations for large decisions. There are qualitative recommendations on which functional form to use. But there is no quantitative recommendation relating size of uncertainties to choice of utility function. By maximizing error in certain equivalents when using different utility functions, this paper provides guidance into when to use different utility functions. Although decision makers should be approximately risk neutral for small problems, they are often “risk averse.” Rabin and Thaler showed utility functions modeling small-scale risk aversion result in absurd risk aversion for large uncertainties. They explain small-scale risk aversion is due to loss aversion, where pain from losses exceeds benefit from gains. But preferences for deterministic losses and gains is a deterministic preference and is not equivalent to risk preference. They argue loss aversion caused the observed behavior, yet modelled deterministic and risk preferences in a single factor. In this paper, I show modeling risk and deterministic preference separately can resolve Rabin’s Paradox, underscoring the need to explicitly model both when deterministic preferences can influence decision making or conflict with risk preferences


Book Synopsis Model Complexity and Risk Aversion in Decision Analysis by : Colin Andrew Small

Download or read book Model Complexity and Risk Aversion in Decision Analysis written by Colin Andrew Small and published by . This book was released on 2023 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Models are often formulated to aid in decision-making. However, the details included or excluded are often determined with minimal examination of the effects. There is a tendency to make models more complex than merited. Yet, decision makers’ risk preferences are often ignored without considering the effect on recommendations. Additionally, modelers do not always understand the difference between preferences toward deterministic outcomes and risk preferences or the impact of modeling conflicting risk and deterministic preferences together in a single component. In this paper, I investigate the relationship between complexity and accuracy, using COVID-19 forecasting as a case study. I find our simple model is comparable in accuracy to highly publicized models, generating among the best-calibrated forecasts. This may be surprising, given the complexity of many high-profile models supported by large teams. However, it is consistent with research suggesting simple models perform very well in a variety of settings. Although utility functions are a fundamental component of decision analysis, they can assume many forms. For small decisions, the choice might not change the decision. But it can greatly affect recommendations for large decisions. There are qualitative recommendations on which functional form to use. But there is no quantitative recommendation relating size of uncertainties to choice of utility function. By maximizing error in certain equivalents when using different utility functions, this paper provides guidance into when to use different utility functions. Although decision makers should be approximately risk neutral for small problems, they are often “risk averse.” Rabin and Thaler showed utility functions modeling small-scale risk aversion result in absurd risk aversion for large uncertainties. They explain small-scale risk aversion is due to loss aversion, where pain from losses exceeds benefit from gains. But preferences for deterministic losses and gains is a deterministic preference and is not equivalent to risk preference. They argue loss aversion caused the observed behavior, yet modelled deterministic and risk preferences in a single factor. In this paper, I show modeling risk and deterministic preference separately can resolve Rabin’s Paradox, underscoring the need to explicitly model both when deterministic preferences can influence decision making or conflict with risk preferences


Handbook of the Economics of Risk and Uncertainty

Handbook of the Economics of Risk and Uncertainty

Author: Mark Machina

Publisher: Newnes

Published: 2013-11-14

Total Pages: 897

ISBN-13: 0444536868

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The need to understand the theories and applications of economic and finance risk has been clear to everyone since the financial crisis, and this collection of original essays proffers broad, high-level explanations of risk and uncertainty. The economics of risk and uncertainty is unlike most branches of economics in spanning from the individual decision-maker to the market (and indeed, social decisions), and ranging from purely theoretical analysis through individual experimentation, empirical analysis, and applied and policy decisions. It also has close and sometimes conflicting relationships with theoretical and applied statistics, and psychology. The aim of this volume is to provide an overview of diverse aspects of this field, ranging from classical and foundational work through current developments. Presents coherent summaries of risk and uncertainty that inform major areas in economics and finance Divides coverage between theoretical, empirical, and experimental findings Makes the economics of risk and uncertainty accessible to scholars in fields outside economics


Book Synopsis Handbook of the Economics of Risk and Uncertainty by : Mark Machina

Download or read book Handbook of the Economics of Risk and Uncertainty written by Mark Machina and published by Newnes. This book was released on 2013-11-14 with total page 897 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The need to understand the theories and applications of economic and finance risk has been clear to everyone since the financial crisis, and this collection of original essays proffers broad, high-level explanations of risk and uncertainty. The economics of risk and uncertainty is unlike most branches of economics in spanning from the individual decision-maker to the market (and indeed, social decisions), and ranging from purely theoretical analysis through individual experimentation, empirical analysis, and applied and policy decisions. It also has close and sometimes conflicting relationships with theoretical and applied statistics, and psychology. The aim of this volume is to provide an overview of diverse aspects of this field, ranging from classical and foundational work through current developments. Presents coherent summaries of risk and uncertainty that inform major areas in economics and finance Divides coverage between theoretical, empirical, and experimental findings Makes the economics of risk and uncertainty accessible to scholars in fields outside economics


Models of Risk Preferences

Models of Risk Preferences

Author: Glenn W. Harrison

Publisher: Emerald Group Publishing

Published: 2023-10-23

Total Pages: 265

ISBN-13: 1837972680

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Models of Risk Preferences collects studies that critically review alternatives to Expected Utility Theory from the perspective of experimental economics.


Book Synopsis Models of Risk Preferences by : Glenn W. Harrison

Download or read book Models of Risk Preferences written by Glenn W. Harrison and published by Emerald Group Publishing. This book was released on 2023-10-23 with total page 265 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Models of Risk Preferences collects studies that critically review alternatives to Expected Utility Theory from the perspective of experimental economics.


Risk Analysis in Theory and Practice

Risk Analysis in Theory and Practice

Author: Jean-Paul Chavas

Publisher: Elsevier

Published: 2004-06-04

Total Pages: 258

ISBN-13: 0121706214

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The objective of Risk Analysis in Theory and Practice is to present this analytical framework and to illustrate how it can be used in the investigation of economic decisions under risk. In a sense, the economics of risk is a difficult subject: it involves understanding human decisions in the absence of perfect information. How do we make decisions when we do not know some of events affecting us? The complexities of our uncertain world and of how humans obtain and process information make this difficult. In spite of these difficulties, much progress has been made. First, probability theory is the corner stone of risk assessment. This allows us to measure risk in a fashion that can be communicated among decision makers or researchers. Second, risk preferences are now better understood. This provides useful insights into the economic rationality of decision making under uncertainty. Third, over the last decades, good insights have been developed about the value of information. This helps better understand the role of information in human decision making and this book provides a systematic treatment of these issues in the context of both private and public decisions under uncertainty. Balanced treatment of conceptual models and applied analysis Considers both private and public decisions under uncertainty Website presents application exercises in Excel


Book Synopsis Risk Analysis in Theory and Practice by : Jean-Paul Chavas

Download or read book Risk Analysis in Theory and Practice written by Jean-Paul Chavas and published by Elsevier. This book was released on 2004-06-04 with total page 258 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The objective of Risk Analysis in Theory and Practice is to present this analytical framework and to illustrate how it can be used in the investigation of economic decisions under risk. In a sense, the economics of risk is a difficult subject: it involves understanding human decisions in the absence of perfect information. How do we make decisions when we do not know some of events affecting us? The complexities of our uncertain world and of how humans obtain and process information make this difficult. In spite of these difficulties, much progress has been made. First, probability theory is the corner stone of risk assessment. This allows us to measure risk in a fashion that can be communicated among decision makers or researchers. Second, risk preferences are now better understood. This provides useful insights into the economic rationality of decision making under uncertainty. Third, over the last decades, good insights have been developed about the value of information. This helps better understand the role of information in human decision making and this book provides a systematic treatment of these issues in the context of both private and public decisions under uncertainty. Balanced treatment of conceptual models and applied analysis Considers both private and public decisions under uncertainty Website presents application exercises in Excel


Behavioural Economics: A Very Short Introduction

Behavioural Economics: A Very Short Introduction

Author: Michelle Baddeley

Publisher: Oxford University Press

Published: 2017-01-19

Total Pages: 169

ISBN-13: 019107117X

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Traditionally economists have based their economic predictions on the assumption that humans are super-rational creatures, using the information we are given efficiently and generally making selfish decisions that work well for us as individuals. Economists also assume that we're doing the very best we can possibly do - not only for today, but over our whole lifetimes too. But increasingly the study of behavioural economics is revealing that our lives are not that simple. Instead, our decisions are complicated by our own psychology. Each of us makes mistakes every day. We don't always know what's best for us and, even if we do, we might not have the self-control to deliver on our best intentions. We struggle to stay on diets, to get enough exercise and to manage our money. We misjudge risky situations. We are prone to herding: sometimes peer pressure leads us blindly to copy others around us; other times copying others helps us to learn quickly about new, unfamiliar situations. This Very Short Introduction explores the reasons why we make irrational decisions; how we decide quickly; why we make mistakes in risky situations; our tendency to procrastination; and how we are affected by social influences, personality, mood and emotions. The implications of understanding the rationale for our own financial behaviour are huge. Behavioural economics could help policy-makers to understand the people behind their policies, enabling them to design more effective policies, while at the same time we could find ourselves assaulted by increasingly savvy marketing. Michelle Baddeley concludes by looking forward, to see what the future of behavioural economics holds for us. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.


Book Synopsis Behavioural Economics: A Very Short Introduction by : Michelle Baddeley

Download or read book Behavioural Economics: A Very Short Introduction written by Michelle Baddeley and published by Oxford University Press. This book was released on 2017-01-19 with total page 169 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Traditionally economists have based their economic predictions on the assumption that humans are super-rational creatures, using the information we are given efficiently and generally making selfish decisions that work well for us as individuals. Economists also assume that we're doing the very best we can possibly do - not only for today, but over our whole lifetimes too. But increasingly the study of behavioural economics is revealing that our lives are not that simple. Instead, our decisions are complicated by our own psychology. Each of us makes mistakes every day. We don't always know what's best for us and, even if we do, we might not have the self-control to deliver on our best intentions. We struggle to stay on diets, to get enough exercise and to manage our money. We misjudge risky situations. We are prone to herding: sometimes peer pressure leads us blindly to copy others around us; other times copying others helps us to learn quickly about new, unfamiliar situations. This Very Short Introduction explores the reasons why we make irrational decisions; how we decide quickly; why we make mistakes in risky situations; our tendency to procrastination; and how we are affected by social influences, personality, mood and emotions. The implications of understanding the rationale for our own financial behaviour are huge. Behavioural economics could help policy-makers to understand the people behind their policies, enabling them to design more effective policies, while at the same time we could find ourselves assaulted by increasingly savvy marketing. Michelle Baddeley concludes by looking forward, to see what the future of behavioural economics holds for us. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.


Robustifying the Classical Model of Risk Preferences and Beliefs

Robustifying the Classical Model of Risk Preferences and Beliefs

Author: Mark J. Machina

Publisher:

Published: 2002

Total Pages: 172

ISBN-13:

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Book Synopsis Robustifying the Classical Model of Risk Preferences and Beliefs by : Mark J. Machina

Download or read book Robustifying the Classical Model of Risk Preferences and Beliefs written by Mark J. Machina and published by . This book was released on 2002 with total page 172 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:


Consistency of Higher Order Risk Preferences

Consistency of Higher Order Risk Preferences

Author: Cary A. Deck

Publisher:

Published: 2012

Total Pages: 39

ISBN-13:

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Book Synopsis Consistency of Higher Order Risk Preferences by : Cary A. Deck

Download or read book Consistency of Higher Order Risk Preferences written by Cary A. Deck and published by . This book was released on 2012 with total page 39 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:


Estimating Risk Preferences in the Field

Estimating Risk Preferences in the Field

Author: Levon Barseghyan

Publisher:

Published: 2018

Total Pages: 65

ISBN-13:

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We survey the literature on estimating risk preferences using field data. We concentrate our attention on studies in which risk preferences are the focal object and estimating their structure is the core enterprise. We review a number of models of risk preferences -- including both expected utility (EU) theory and non-EU models -- that have been estimated using field data, and we highlight issues related to identification and estimation of such models using field data. We then survey the literature, giving separate treatment to research that uses individual-level data (e.g., property insurance data) and research that uses aggregate data (e.g., betting market data). We conclude by discussing directions for future research.


Book Synopsis Estimating Risk Preferences in the Field by : Levon Barseghyan

Download or read book Estimating Risk Preferences in the Field written by Levon Barseghyan and published by . This book was released on 2018 with total page 65 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: We survey the literature on estimating risk preferences using field data. We concentrate our attention on studies in which risk preferences are the focal object and estimating their structure is the core enterprise. We review a number of models of risk preferences -- including both expected utility (EU) theory and non-EU models -- that have been estimated using field data, and we highlight issues related to identification and estimation of such models using field data. We then survey the literature, giving separate treatment to research that uses individual-level data (e.g., property insurance data) and research that uses aggregate data (e.g., betting market data). We conclude by discussing directions for future research.


Prospect Theory

Prospect Theory

Author: Peter P. Wakker

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Published: 2010-07-22

Total Pages: 519

ISBN-13: 1139489100

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Prospect Theory: For Risk and Ambiguity, provides a comprehensive and accessible textbook treatment of the way decisions are made both when we have the statistical probabilities associated with uncertain future events (risk) and when we lack them (ambiguity). The book presents models, primarily prospect theory, that are both tractable and psychologically realistic. A method of presentation is chosen that makes the empirical meaning of each theoretical model completely transparent. Prospect theory has many applications in a wide variety of disciplines. The material in the book has been carefully organized to allow readers to select pathways through the book relevant to their own interests. With numerous exercises and worked examples, the book is ideally suited to the needs of students taking courses in decision theory in economics, mathematics, finance, psychology, management science, health, computer science, Bayesian statistics, and engineering.


Book Synopsis Prospect Theory by : Peter P. Wakker

Download or read book Prospect Theory written by Peter P. Wakker and published by Cambridge University Press. This book was released on 2010-07-22 with total page 519 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Prospect Theory: For Risk and Ambiguity, provides a comprehensive and accessible textbook treatment of the way decisions are made both when we have the statistical probabilities associated with uncertain future events (risk) and when we lack them (ambiguity). The book presents models, primarily prospect theory, that are both tractable and psychologically realistic. A method of presentation is chosen that makes the empirical meaning of each theoretical model completely transparent. Prospect theory has many applications in a wide variety of disciplines. The material in the book has been carefully organized to allow readers to select pathways through the book relevant to their own interests. With numerous exercises and worked examples, the book is ideally suited to the needs of students taking courses in decision theory in economics, mathematics, finance, psychology, management science, health, computer science, Bayesian statistics, and engineering.