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Contrasting Rational and Psychological Analyses of Political Choice

Bibliographic Data

ID3593380
AuthorsGeorge A Quattrone (Stanford University), Amos Tversky (Stanford University)
Year1988
Volume82
Issue3
Pages719-736
Publication date1988-09-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueAmerican Political Science Review (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0003-0554 • E-ISSN: 1537-5943
PublisherCambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.2307/1962487
OpenAlexW2054359618
LanguageEN
Citations received317
References cited23

We contrast the rational theory of choice in the form of expected utility theory with descriptive psychological analysis in the form of prospect theory, using problems involving the choice between political candidates and public referendum issues. The results showed that the assumptions underlying the classical theory of risky choice are systematically violated in the manner predicted by prospect theory. In particular, our respondents exhibited risk aversion in the domain of gains, risk seeking in the domain of losses, and a greater sensitivity to losses than to gains. This is consistent with the advantage of the incumbent under normal conditions and the potential advantage of the challenger in bad times. The results further show how a shift in the reference point could lead to reversals of preferences in the evaluation of political and economic options, contrary to the assumption of invariance. Finally, we contrast the normative and descriptive analyses of uncertainty in choice and address the rationality of voting

Behavioral economics · Contrast (vision · Economics · Expected utility hypothesis · Loss aversion · Mathematical economics · Microeconomics · Normative · Political science · Politics · Positive economics · Prospect theory · Public choice · Rational choice theory (criminology · Rationality · Referendum · Risk aversion (psychology · Voting · Computer Science · Decision-Making and Behavioral Economics · Economic and Environmental Valuation · Experimental Behavioral Economics Studies · Psychology · Social Psychology

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Unique citing works317
Citations per year8,34
Citation span1988 - 2026 (39)
Citation velocitycurrent
Highly citedYes
Citation typesNeutral: 315

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