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Quantum Structures in Human Decision-making: Towards Quantum Expected Utility

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  • Sandro Sozzo

Abstract

{\it Ellsberg thought experiments} and empirical confirmation of Ellsberg preferences pose serious challenges to {\it subjective expected utility theory} (SEUT). We have recently elaborated a quantum-theoretic framework for human decisions under uncertainty which satisfactorily copes with the Ellsberg paradox and other puzzles of SEUT. We apply here the quantum-theoretic framework to the {\it Ellsberg two-urn example}, showing that the paradox can be explained by assuming a state change of the conceptual entity that is the object of the decision ({\it decision-making}, or {\it DM}, {\it entity}) and representing subjective probabilities by quantum probabilities. We also model the empirical data we collected in a DM test on human participants within the theoretic framework above. The obtained results are relevant, as they provide a line to model real life, e.g., financial and medical, decisions that show the same empirical patterns as the two-urn experiment.

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  • Sandro Sozzo, 2018. "Quantum Structures in Human Decision-making: Towards Quantum Expected Utility," Papers 1811.00875, arXiv.org.
  • Handle: RePEc:arx:papers:1811.00875
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