Amos Tversky

Definition

Amos Tversky was a pioneering psychologist known for his groundbreaking work in cognitive psychology and decision-making, particularly in the development of prospect theory alongside Daniel Kahneman. His research highlighted how people often deviate from traditional economic theory due to biases in judgment and decision-making, which connects deeply to the study of experimental evidence and behavioral biases, as well as the understanding of how framing effects influence choices in games.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Tversky's work, particularly with Kahneman, led to the formulation of prospect theory, which explains how people evaluate potential losses and gains asymmetrically.
2. He identified various cognitive biases, such as the availability heuristic and representativeness heuristic, which demonstrate how people rely on mental shortcuts when making decisions.
3. Tversky's research challenged the notion of rational actors in classical economics, providing a psychological perspective on economic behavior.
4. His findings laid the groundwork for the field of behavioral economics, influencing policies in finance, health, and public decision-making.
5. Tversky received numerous awards for his contributions to psychology, including being named a member of the National Academy of Sciences and receiving the highest honors in psychological research.

Review Questions

• How did Tversky's research change our understanding of rational decision-making in economics?
  • Tversky's research revealed that individuals often do not act rationally when making decisions, as they are influenced by cognitive biases and heuristics. This challenged the traditional economic assumption that people make choices based solely on maximizing utility. Instead, his work illustrated that psychological factors significantly impact economic behavior, leading to the development of behavioral economics as a discipline.
• Discuss the implications of Tversky's prospect theory for understanding risk in economic decisions.
  • Prospect theory posits that people perceive gains and losses differently; specifically, losses tend to weigh heavier than equivalent gains. This means individuals are more likely to avoid risks when considering potential gains but may take risks to avoid losses. Tversky's insights help explain behaviors like loss aversion and the framing effects in economic contexts, where how a choice is presented can drastically alter decision outcomes.
• Evaluate how Tversky's identification of cognitive biases has influenced modern behavioral economics and policy-making.
  • Tversky's identification of cognitive biases has profoundly influenced modern behavioral economics by providing evidence that human decision-making is often irrational. This understanding has led policymakers to design interventions that account for these biases, such as nudges that guide individuals towards better choices without limiting their freedom. The incorporation of behavioral insights into policy has resulted in more effective strategies in areas like health care, finance, and public welfare.

Related terms

Cognitive Bias: Systematic patterns of deviation from norm or rationality in judgment, often leading individuals to make irrational decisions.

Prospect Theory: A behavioral economic theory that describes how people choose between probabilistic alternatives that involve risk, emphasizing the value of potential losses and gains.

Framing Effect: The cognitive bias where people react differently depending on how a situation or choice is presented, affecting their decision-making process.