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Stochastic expected utility for binary choice: a ‘modular’ axiomatic foundation

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  • Matthew Ryan

    (Auckland University of Technology)

Abstract

We present new axiomatisations for various models of binary stochastic choice that may be characterised as “expected utility maximisation with noise”. These include axiomatisations of simple scalability (Tversky and Russo in J Math Psychol 6:1–12, 1969) with respect to a scale having the expected utility (EU) form, and strong utility (Debreu in Econometrica 26(3):440–444, 1958) of the EU form. The latter model features Fechnerian “noise”: choice probabilities depend on EU differences. Our axiomatisations complement the important contributions of Blavatskyy (J Math Econ 44:1049–1056, 2008) and Dagsvik (Math Soc Sci 55:341–370, 2008). Our representation theorems set all models on a common axiomatic foundation, with additional axioms added in modular fashion to characterise successively more restrictive models. The key is a decomposition of Blavatskyy’s (2008) common consequence independence axiom into two parts: one (which we call weak independence) that underwrites the EU form of utility and another (stochastic symmetry) than underwrites the Fechnerian structure of noise. We also show that in many cases of interest (which we call preference-bounded domains) stochastic symmetry can be replaced with weak transparent dominance (WTD). For choice between lotteries, WTD only restricts behaviour when choosing between probability mixtures of a “best” and a “worst” possible outcome.

Suggested Citation

  • Matthew Ryan, 2021. "Stochastic expected utility for binary choice: a ‘modular’ axiomatic foundation," Economic Theory, Springer;Society for the Advancement of Economic Theory (SAET), vol. 72(2), pages 641-669, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:joecth:v:72:y:2021:i:2:d:10.1007_s00199-020-01307-8
    DOI: 10.1007/s00199-020-01307-8
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Pavlo R. Blavatskyy, 2011. "A Model of Probabilistic Choice Satisfying First-Order Stochastic Dominance," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 57(3), pages 542-548, March.
    2. Dagsvik, John K., 2008. "Axiomatization of stochastic models for choice under uncertainty," Mathematical Social Sciences, Elsevier, vol. 55(3), pages 341-370, May.
    3. Birnbaum, Michael H & Navarrete, Juan B, 1998. "Testing Descriptive Utility Theories: Violations of Stochastic Dominance and Cumulative Independence," Journal of Risk and Uncertainty, Springer, vol. 17(1), pages 49-78, October.
    4. Pavlo Blavatskyy, 2012. "Probabilistic choice and stochastic dominance," Economic Theory, Springer;Society for the Advancement of Economic Theory (SAET), vol. 50(1), pages 59-83, May.
    5. Dagsvik, John K., 2015. "Stochastic models for risky choices: A comparison of different axiomatizations," Journal of Mathematical Economics, Elsevier, vol. 60(C), pages 81-88.
    6. Matthew Ryan, 2017. "Random Binary Choices that Satisfy Stochastic Betweenness," Working Papers 2017-01, Auckland University of Technology, Department of Economics.
    7. Pavlo R. Blavatskyy & Ganna Pogrebna, 2010. "Models of stochastic choice and decision theories: why both are important for analyzing decisions," Journal of Applied Econometrics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 25(6), pages 963-986.
    8. Henry Stott, 2006. "Cumulative prospect theory's functional menagerie," Journal of Risk and Uncertainty, Springer, vol. 32(2), pages 101-130, March.
    9. Ryan, Matthew, 2017. "Random binary choices that satisfy stochastic betweenness," Journal of Mathematical Economics, Elsevier, vol. 70(C), pages 176-184.
    10. Faruk Gul & Wolfgang Pesendorfer, 2006. "Random Expected Utility," Econometrica, Econometric Society, vol. 74(1), pages 121-146, January.
    11. Fishburn, P.C., 1984. "SSB Utility theory: an economic perspective," Mathematical Social Sciences, Elsevier, vol. 8(1), pages 63-94, August.
    12. Blavatskyy, Pavlo R., 2008. "Stochastic utility theorem," Journal of Mathematical Economics, Elsevier, vol. 44(11), pages 1049-1056, December.
    13. Matthew Ryan, 2010. "Mixture sets on finite domains," Decisions in Economics and Finance, Springer;Associazione per la Matematica, vol. 33(2), pages 139-147, November.
    14. Matthew Ryan, 2015. "A Strict Stochastic Utility Theorem," Economics Bulletin, AccessEcon, vol. 35(4), pages 2664-2672.
    15. Blavatskyy, Pavlo, 2018. "Fechner’s strong utility model for choice among n>2 alternatives: Risky lotteries, Savage acts, and intertemporal payoffs," Journal of Mathematical Economics, Elsevier, vol. 79(C), pages 75-82.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Stochastic choice; Expected utility; Scalability; Fechner;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D01 - Microeconomics - - General - - - Microeconomic Behavior: Underlying Principles
    • D81 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Criteria for Decision-Making under Risk and Uncertainty

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