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Developments in Non-Expected Utility Theory: The Hunt for a Descriptive Theory of Choice under Risk

Chris Starmer

University of East Anglia, Norwich.

Journal of Economic Literature 2000

This article reviews recent developments in the economic theory of individual decision making under risk. Since the 1950s it has been known that individual choices violate the standard model of expected utility in predictable ways. Considerable research effort has now been devoted to the project of developing a superior descriptive model. Following an overview of non-expected utility theories which distinguishes between “conventional” and “non-conventional” approaches, the paper seeks to assess these alternative models in terms of empirical success (using laboratory and field data) and theoretical usefulness. The closing sections reflect on some new directions emerging in this literature.

DOI
10.1257/jel.38.2.332
Volume
38 (2)
Pages
332-382
Language
en
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