Equivalences and Continuity in Multivalent Preference Structures. Revision.
Abstract
In eliciting multiattribute utility functions, the valence approach partitions the elements of each attribute into equivalence classes on the basis of conditional preferences. This report establishes equivalence relations for multivalent forms of additive independence, utility independence, and fractional independence, which lead to several new utility representation theorems. When the utility function is continuous, however, some simple partitions are impossible in multivalent preference structures. These results should simplify testing and assessment procedures when attributes are interdependent. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1979
- Accession Number
- ADA075219
Entities
People
- Peter C. Fishburn
- Peter H. Farquhar
Organizations
- Harvard University