Risk Preference and Aspiration Level.

Abstract

Subjects' preferences among a set of six multi-outcome lotteries were measured under three conditions. In the neutral condition, no payoffs were applied. In the low aspiration condition, all subjects who 'won' an average of $80 or more on a set of three of their perferred lotteries won $2. In the high aspiration ,the two subjects 'winning' the largeest amounts on a set of three of their perferred lotteries won prizes of $15 and $5. Of 89 Ss, slightly more than half were highly responsive to the aspiration manipulation becoming more risk averse (relative to the neutral condition) under the low aspiration condition and becoming risk seeking under the high aspiration condition. The remaining subjects were totally unresponsive to the manipulaton. These results are discussed in terms of Lopes' (in press) two-factor theory of risky choice. (Author)

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 01, 1987
Accession Number
ADA178036

Entities

People

  • Lola L. Lopes
  • Sandra L. Schneider

Tags

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  • Biomedical
  • Human Systems
  • Weapons Technologies

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  • Air Force
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  • Computer Science
  • Engineering
  • Human Factors Engineering
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  • United States
  • Wisconsin

Fields of Study

  • Psychology

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  • Brain and Cognitive Science; Experimental Psychology; Cognitive Neuroscience
  • Game Theory.
  • Naval Personnel Management