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Choice consistency and strength of preference

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  • Alós-Ferrer, Carlos
  • Garagnani, Michele

Abstract

Even when presented with the same choices multiple times, humans often make different decisions. We re-analyze data from five experiments using repeated choices in the domain of risky and inter-temporal choices and show that choice consistency is directly linked to cardinal differences in independently-estimated utilities. Strength of preference is monotonically related to choice consistency, with choices being more inconsistent when the alternatives are more similar in preference terms.

Suggested Citation

  • Alós-Ferrer, Carlos & Garagnani, Michele, 2021. "Choice consistency and strength of preference," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 198(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecolet:v:198:y:2021:i:c:s0165176520304328
    DOI: 10.1016/j.econlet.2020.109672
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    8. Marina Agranov & Pietro Ortoleva, 2017. "Stochastic Choice and Preferences for Randomization," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 125(1), pages 40-68.
    9. John D. Hey, 2018. "Does Repetition Improve Consistency?," World Scientific Book Chapters, in: Experiments in Economics Decision Making and Markets, chapter 2, pages 13-62, World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd..
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    11. David Laibson, 1997. "Golden Eggs and Hyperbolic Discounting," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 112(2), pages 443-478.
    12. Michele Garagnani, 2023. "The predictive power of risk elicitation tasks," Journal of Risk and Uncertainty, Springer, vol. 67(2), pages 165-192, October.
    13. Anna Conte & John D. Hey & Peter G. Moffatt, 2018. "Mixture models of choice under risk," World Scientific Book Chapters, in: Experiments in Economics Decision Making and Markets, chapter 1, pages 3-12, World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd..
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Amirnequiee, Shobeir & Naoum-Sawaya, Joe & Pun, Hubert, 2026. "Robust framework for the joint learning of consumer preferences and market segmentation," Omega, Elsevier, vol. 138(C).
    2. Willadsen, Helene & Zaccagni, Sarah & Piovesan, Marco & Wengström, Erik, 2024. "Measures of cognitive ability and choice inconsistency," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 220(C), pages 495-506.
    3. Carlos Alós-Ferrer & Georg D. Granic, 2023. "Does choice change preferences? An incentivized test of the mere choice effect," Experimental Economics, Springer;Economic Science Association, vol. 26(3), pages 499-521, July.
    4. Daniele Caliari & Valentino Dardanoni & Carla Guerriero & Paola Manzini & Marco Mariotti, 2026. "Exploring Choice Errors in Children," Bristol Economics Discussion Papers 26/823, School of Economics, University of Bristol, UK.
    5. Sekścińska, Katarzyna & Rudzinska-Wojciechowska, Joanna & Jaworska, Diana, 2021. "Self-control and financial risk taking," Journal of Economic Psychology, Elsevier, vol. 85(C).
    6. Duffy, Sean & Gussman, Steven & Smith, John, 2021. "Visual judgments of length in the economics laboratory: Are there brains in stochastic choice?," Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Economics (formerly The Journal of Socio-Economics), Elsevier, vol. 93(C).
    7. Duffy, Sean & Smith, John, 2025. "Stochastic choice and imperfect judgments of line lengths: What is hiding in the noise?," Journal of Economic Psychology, Elsevier, vol. 106(C).
    8. Colasante, Annarita & García-Segarra, Jaume & Riccetti, Luca & Russo, Alberto, 2022. "On the consistency of the individual behavior when facing higher-order risk attitudes," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 50(C).
    9. Duffy, Sean & Smith, John, 2024. "The random thickness of indifference," MPRA Paper 122165, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    10. Henk Keffert & Nikolaus Schweizer, 2024. "Stochastic Monotonicity and Random Utility Models: The Good and The Ugly," Papers 2409.00704, arXiv.org.
    11. Alós-Ferrer, Carlos & Garagnani, Michele, 2022. "The gradual nature of economic errors," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 200(C), pages 55-66.
    12. Yihong Gao & Michele Garagnani, 2025. "Improving risky choices: The effect of cognitive offloading on risky decisions," Journal of Risk and Uncertainty, Springer, vol. 70(2), pages 105-128, April.
    13. Michele Garagnani, 2023. "The predictive power of risk elicitation tasks," Journal of Risk and Uncertainty, Springer, vol. 67(2), pages 165-192, October.

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    JEL classification:

    • D01 - Microeconomics - - General - - - Microeconomic Behavior: Underlying Principles
    • D81 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Criteria for Decision-Making under Risk and Uncertainty
    • D91 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics - - - Role and Effects of Psychological, Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Factors on Decision Making

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