Irrational diversification in multiple decision problems

Ariel Rubinstein*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

43 Scopus citations

Abstract

The paper deals with multiple decision problems, which are similar to the task of guessing the color outcomes of five independent spinnings of a roulette wheel, 60% of whose slots are red and 40% white. Each correct guess yields a prize of $1. The guess of 5 Reds clearly first order stochastic dominates any other strategy. In contrast, subjects diversify their choices when facing a multiple decision problem in which the choice is between lotteries with clear objective probabilities. The diversification is stronger when the subjects face uncertainty without objective probabilities and weaker when the choice problem involves real life actions.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1369-1378
Number of pages10
JournalEuropean Economic Review
Volume46
Issue number8
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 2002

Keywords

  • Diversification
  • Matching probabilities
  • Multiple decision problem

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