What is the Actual Shape of Perception Utility?

18 Pages Posted: 21 Jun 2011

Date Written: May, 18 2011

Abstract

Cumulative Prospect Theory (Kahneman, Tversky, 1979, 1992) holds that the value function is described using a power function, and is concave for gains and convex for losses. These postulates are questioned on the basis of recently reported experiments, paradoxes (gain-loss separability violation), and brain activity research. This paper puts forward the hypothesis that perception utility is generally logarithmic in shape for both gains and losses, and only happens to be convex for losses when gains are not present in the problem context. This leads to a different evaluation of mixed prospects than is the case with Prospect Theory: losses are evaluated using a concave, rather than a convex, utility function. In this context, loss aversion appears to be nothing more than the result of applying a logarithmic utility function over the entire outcome domain. Importantly, the hypothesis enables a link to be established between perception utility and Portfolio Theory (Markowitz, 1952A). This is not possible in the case of the Prospect Theory value function due its shape at the origin.

Keywords: prospect theory, value function, perception utility, loss aversion, gain-loss separability violation, neuroscience, portfolio theory, decision utility theory

JEL Classification: C91, D03, D81, D87, G11

Suggested Citation

Kontek, Krzysztof, What is the Actual Shape of Perception Utility? (May, 18 2011). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1845718 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1845718

Krzysztof Kontek (Contact Author)

Warsaw School of Economics (SGH) ( email )

aleja Niepodleglosci 162
PL-Warsaw, 02-554
Poland

Do you have negative results from your research you’d like to share?

Paper statistics

Downloads
88
Abstract Views
1,104
Rank
520,319
PlumX Metrics