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Expected utility with perturbed lotteries

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Abstract

The sensitivity of expected utility choice to slight variations in the description of lotteries is considered. This sensitivity is allowed to influence actual choice in what is called the expected utility with perturbed lotteries model because the slight variations are used to represent vagueness regarding the dollar-prize, probability description of a lottery. Example illustrate how this sensitivity can affect actual choice for an otherwise expected utility decision-maker and provide an explanation for some of the anomolous evidence on risky choice.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Economics, University of Illinois, Chicago, 60680, Chicago, IL, U.S.A.

    Gilbert W. Bassett Jr.

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  1. Gilbert W. Bassett Jr.
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I have benefited greatly from the comments of a referee. Comments and encouragement from Issac Levi on an earlier revision of this paper were very helpful. I am responsible for remaining errors.

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Bassett, G.W. Expected utility with perturbed lotteries. Theor Decis 20, 79–96 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00133638

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00133638

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