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Comparing ambiguous urns with different sizes

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  • Filiz-Ozbay, Emel
  • Gulen, Huseyin
  • Masatlioglu, Yusufcan
  • Ozbay, Erkut Y.

Abstract

We investigate experimentally preferences between different ambiguous processes generated by two-color Ellsberg urns. By providing symmetric information on urns with different numbers of beads and keeping the information on the most optimistic, pessimistic, and equal probability of winning possibilities the same, we elicit subjects' preferences for the size of an ambiguous urn. Subjects prefer the bets from the ambiguous urns with more beads. We analyze the role of ambiguity aversion and ratio bias of subjects in this behavior. We study the restrictions that our findings impose on the existing ambiguity models.

Suggested Citation

  • Filiz-Ozbay, Emel & Gulen, Huseyin & Masatlioglu, Yusufcan & Ozbay, Erkut Y., 2022. "Comparing ambiguous urns with different sizes," Journal of Economic Theory, Elsevier, vol. 199(C).
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:jetheo:v:199:y:2022:i:c:s0022053121000417
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jet.2021.105224
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Ambiguity; Risk; Ratio bias; Ellsberg's experiment;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C90 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - General
    • C91 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Laboratory, Individual Behavior
    • D80 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - General
    • D81 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Criteria for Decision-Making under Risk and Uncertainty
    • D83 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Search; Learning; Information and Knowledge; Communication; Belief; Unawareness

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