Discuss the various criteria used to make decisions under uncertainty?
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Dec 12, 2023
When making decisions under uncertainty, there are several criteria that can be used to evaluate and choose the best course of action. These criteria include:
1. Maximax: This criterion involves selecting the alternative that maximizes the maximum possible outcome. It assumes that the decision-maker is optimistic and seeks to achieve the best possible result.
2. Maximin: This criterion focuses on minimizing the maximum possible loss or regret. It is suitable for decision-makers who are risk-averse and want to protect themselves from the worst-case scenario.
3. Minimax regret: This criterion aims to minimize the maximum regret that may arise from a decision. It considers the potential regrets associated with each alternative and selects the one that minimizes the maximum regret.
4. Expected value: This criterion involves calculating the expected value of each alternative by multiplying the probability of each outcome by its associated value. The alternative with the highest expected value is chosen. It assumes that the decision-maker is rational and seeks to maximize their expected gain.
5. Expected utility: This criterion is similar to the expected value but takes into account the decision-maker's preferences and attitudes towards risk. It assigns utility values to outcomes and calculates the expected utility of each alternative. The alternative with the highest expected utility is selected.
6. Real options: This criterion recognizes that decisions made under uncertainty often have the potential for flexibility and adaptation. It considers the value of delaying a decision to gather more information or the ability to change course if conditions change.
7. Sensitivity analysis: This criterion involves analyzing the sensitivity of the decision to changes in key variables or assumptions. It helps identify the most critical factors and assesses the robustness of the decision against different scenarios.
8. Decision trees: This criterion uses decision trees to visually represent the decision problem, including the different alternatives, possible outcomes, and their associated probabilities. It helps in evaluating the expected value or expected utility of each alternative and identifying the optimal decision path.
It is important to note that the choice of criteria depends on the decision-maker's risk preferences, the nature of the decision problem, and the available information. Different criteria may lead to different decisions, and it is often useful to consider multiple criteria to gain a comprehensive understanding of the decision problem.