Comparing Uncertainty Aversion towards Different Sources
22 Pages Posted: 6 Apr 2016 Last revised: 21 Jun 2018
Date Written: June 01, 2017
Abstract
We propose simple behavioral definitions of comparative uncertainty aversion for a single agent towards different sources of uncertainty. Our definitions allow for the comparison of utility curvature towards different sources if the agent’s choices satisfy subjective expected utility towards each source. We discuss how our definitions can be applied to investigate ambiguity aversion in Klibanoff et al.’s (2005) smooth ambiguity model, to study the effects of learning and situational factors on uncertainty preferences, and to compare uncertainty preferences between different agents.
Keywords: source-preferences, uncertainty, subjective expected utility, smooth ambiguity model
JEL Classification: D81
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation