Estimating Utility Functions Using Preferences Revealed Under Uncertainty,

Abstract

Those who take the normative point of view of decision making under uncertainty typically suggest, sometimes explicity, that it is sufficient to estimate utility functions on the sole basis of responses to hypothetical questions. This paper, which also takes the normative viewpoint, criticizes that approach on several grounds and proposes the alternative of combining that technique with observations of choices made under uncertainty in real life. The concept is demonstrated using a fairly common problem in the clinical setting -- the case of severe abdominal pain in a young woman. (Author)

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 01, 1971
Accession Number
AD0726472

Entities

People

  • Brian E. Forst

Organizations

  • Center for Naval Analyses

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Observation
  • Operations Research
  • Pain
  • Uncertainty

Readers

  • Calculus or Mathematical Analysis
  • Military History of the United States in the 20th Century.
  • Team-Based Human-Centered Cognitive Task Decision Making and Information Performance.