The motivational effect of need on decision-making under risk

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dc.contributor.authorMishra, Sandeep
dc.contributor.authorUniversity of Lethbridge. Faculty of Arts and Science
dc.contributor.supervisorLalumière, Martin L.
dc.date.accessioned2011-12-09T19:04:07Z
dc.date.available2011-12-09T19:04:07Z
dc.date.issued2010
dc.degree.disciplinePsychology
dc.degree.fieldArts and Science
dc.degree.levelDoctor of Philosophy
dc.degree.levelPhD
dc.degree.subfieldSocial Sciences
dc.descriptionxiv, 149 leaves ; 29 cmen_US
dc.description.abstractRisk-sensitivity theory predicts that decision-makers shift from risk-aversion to riskpreference in situations where low-risk options are unlikely to meet their needs. Risksensitive theory is contrasted with more traditional unbounded models of decision-making predicting that decision-makers seek to optimize utility in all decisions. In this dissertation, I review influential theories of decision-making from the various behavioral sciences, and offer an integrated approach to understanding decision-making informed by evolutionary theory. I then present evidence suggesting that risk-taking comprises a general phenomenon, inclusive of such behaviors as gambling and antisocial conduct. Finally, I demonstrate in several laboratory experiments that conditions of need, such as inequality, are important motivators of risky behavior. Together, the results suggest that risk-taking represents a functional triggering of preference for variable outcomes in response to conditions of need, consistent with risk-sensitivity theory.en_US
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/10133/2580
dc.language.isoen_USen_US
dc.librarysymbolALU
dc.organizationUniversity of Lethbridge
dc.publisherLethbridge, Alta. : University of Lethbridge, Dept. of Psychology, c2010en_US
dc.publisher.departmentDepartment of Psychologyen_US
dc.publisher.facultyArts and Scienceen_US
dc.relation.ispartofseriesThesis (University of Lethbridge. Faculty of Arts and Science)en_US
dc.subjectDecision makingen_US
dc.subjectRisk-taking (Psychology)en_US
dc.subjectDissertations, Academicen_US
dc.titleThe motivational effect of need on decision-making under risken_US
dc.typeThesisen_US
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