Postscript: Rejoinder to Johnson [et-al] (2008) and Birnbaum (2008) (2008)

Abstract

Replies to comments by E. J. Johnson, M. Schulte-Mecklenbeck, and M. C. Willemsen (see records 2008-00265-019 and 2008-00265-020) and M. H. Birnbaum (see records 2008-00265-017 and 2008-00265-018) on the original article by E. Brandst \ a tter, G. Gigerenzer, and R. Hertwig (see record 2006-04733-008). Whereas Johnson et al may have disagreed with us on specific issues, we shared consensus on the key questions. Which heuristics do people use? Which task conditions trigger one heuristic over another? Birnbaum, in contrast, did not even pose these questions. The perspective of a single calculus of choice (the transfer-of-attention-exchange model) that, in our view, underlay his comment and postscript left him mystified by the most elementary consequences of an adaptive toolbox view. To conclude, there is strong evidence that humans and animals rely on heuristics in inference and choice under certainty. We see no good reason why choice under risk should be an exception. The challenge for the adaptive toolbox theory is to specify computational models of heuristics and their triggering conditions to predict in what situation which heuristic is used. This is the task ahead. The challenge for proponents of single-calculus models of choice is to provide triggering conditions for the specific parameter combinations used in different situations. This has rarely been attempted. Time will show which class of models will ultimately capture the true nature of risky choice. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2008 APA, all rights reserved)

Bibliographic entry

Brandstätter, E., Gigerenzer, G., & Hertwig, R. (2008). Postscript: Rejoinder to Johnson [et-al] (2008) and Birnbaum (2008). Psychological Review, 115, 289-290. (Full text)

Miscellaneous

Publication year 2008
Document type: Article
Publication status: Published
External URL: http://library.mpib-berlin.mpg.de/ft/eb/EB_Postscript_2008.pdf View
Categories: Adaptive Toolbox
Keywords: choice behaviordecision makingheuristicshumaninferencepreferenceschoice processfrugalityrisky choice

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