Dimensions of decision-making: An evidence-based classification of heuristics and biases

Andrea Ceschi*, Arianna Costantini, Riccardo Sartori, Joshua Weller, Annamaria Di Fabio

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleScientificpeer-review

33 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Traditionally, studies examining decision-making heuristics and biases (H&B) have focused on aggregate effects using between-subjects designs in order to demonstrate violations of rationality. Although H&B are often studied in isolation from others, emerging research has suggested that stable and reliable individual differences in rational thought exist, and similarity in performance across tasks are related, which may suggest an underlying phenotypic structure of decision-making skills. Though numerous theoretical and empirical classifications have been offered, results have been mixed. The current study aimed to clarify this research question. Participants (N = 289) completed a battery of 17 H&B tasks, assessed with a within-subjects design, that we selected based on a review of prior empirical and theoretical taxonomies. Exploratory and confirmatory analyses yielded a solution that suggested that these biases conform to a model composed of three dimensions: Mindware gaps, Valuation biases (i.e., Positive Illusions and Negativity effect), and Anchoring and Adjustment. We discuss these findings in relation to proposed taxonomies and existing studies on individual differences in decision-making.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)188-200
JournalPersonality and Individual Differences
Volume146
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2019

Keywords

  • Anchoring and Adjustment
  • BOUNDED RATIONALITY
  • COGNITIVE BIASES
  • Decision-Making
  • EXPLORATORY FACTOR-ANALYSIS
  • Heuristics and Biases
  • INDIVIDUAL-DIFFERENCES
  • Individual differences
  • JUDGMENT
  • Mindware gaps
  • Negativity effect
  • PSYCHOLOGY
  • Positive Illusions
  • RISK
  • SELF-ESTEEM
  • SUNK-COST
  • UNREALISTIC OPTIMISM

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