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arXiv · 1706.02168

Testing Ambiguity and Machina Preferences Within a Quantum-theoretic Framework for Decision-making

Diederik Aerts·Suzette Geriente·Catarina Moreira·Sandro Sozzo
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Abstract

The Machina thought experiments pose to major non-expected utility models challenges that are similar to those posed by the Ellsberg thought experiments to subjective expected utility theory (SEUT). We test human choices in the `Ellsberg three-color example', confirming typical ambiguity aversion patterns, and the `Machina 50/51 and reflection examples', partially confirming the preferences hypothesized by Machina. Then, we show that a quantum-theoretic framework for decision-making under uncertainty recently elaborated by some of us allows faithful modeling of all data on the Ellsberg and Machina paradox situations. In the quantum-theoretic framework subjective probabilities are represented by quantum probabilities, while quantum state transformations enable representations of ambiguity aversion and subjective attitudes toward it.

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Diederik Aerts, Suzette Geriente, Catarina Moreira, Sandro Sozzo. 2017-06-06. Testing Ambiguity and Machina Preferences Within a Quantum-theoretic Framework for Decision-making. https://arxiv.org/abs/1706.02168

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