Oswald Huber | University of Fribourg (original) (raw)

Papers by Oswald Huber

In experiments on risky decisions with gambles as alternatives the central factors determining de... more In experiments on risky decisions with gambles as alternatives the central
factors determining decision behaviour are: The subjective values of the outcomes,
and their subjective probability.
The present paper first reports results of a number of experiments indicating
that this central result cannot be generalized. In quasi-realistic risky scenarios, many
decision makers are not interested in probability information and many search
actively for risk-defusing operators (RDOs). An RDO is an action intended by the
decision maker to be performed additionally to a specific alternative in order to
decrease the risk.
The paper also gives an overview about experimental research with RDOs.
Topics include the factors that determine the search for RDOs and the factors
affecting the acceptance of an RDO. Finding an acceptable RDO has a distinct effect
on choice: If for a specific risky alternative an RDO is available, this alternative is
chosen most often.
The consequences of the concept of RDOs on theories about decision
behaviour and on aiding decision making are discussed.

In risky decision situations, many decision makers search for risk-defusing operators (RDOs). An ... more In risky decision situations, many decision makers search for risk-defusing operators
(RDOs). An RDO is an action intended by the decision maker to be performed additionally
to a specific alternative and is expected to decrease the risk. Pre-event RDOs (e.g., vaccination)
have to be applied before a negative event (e.g., infection) occurs. Post-event RDOs do not
need to be initiated before and unless the event happens (e.g., medical treatment). For the successful
application of Post-event RDOs, the negative event must be detected in time. Two experiments
investigated the effect of uncertainty in the detection of the negative event. In
Experiment 1, only a small minority of subjects noted this uncertainty without a cue, and even
with cue, only a minority actively searched for probability information. In Experiment 2, the
probability for correctly detecting the negative event was varied. When detection was certain,
most subjects chose the alternative with a Post-event RDO, whereas this percentage decreased
significantly with decreasing probability of correct detection. Also, in the conditions with a
more extreme negative outcome, less decision makers chose the alternative with the Post-event
RDO.

Theory and Decision Library C, 2007

In experiments on risky decisions with gambles as alternatives the central factors determining de... more In experiments on risky decisions with gambles as alternatives the central factors determining decision behaviour are: The subjective values of the outcomes, and their subjective probability.

Abstrqct one component of the decision process in a multidimensional context is the cognitive str... more Abstrqct one component of the decision process in a multidimensional context is the cognitive strategy a decision maker uses when amalgamating dimensional preferences. There is a considerable lack of information about the sequential order in which a decision maker applies cognitive strategies. For this reason, a complete paired-comparison matrix of dominance was established empirically over the following strategies: kxicographic ordering, Maximax, Miximin, Greatest attractiveness difference, and weighted sets of dimensions. Strategy S1 is said to dominate strategy sj iff si is used in a decision situation where both S; and Si may be applied. päirs of gambles x and y were constructed such that the use of Sf led to the choice of gamble x, while the use of S1 resulted in the choice of gamble y, and the application of the other three strategies, Majority rule, and choice by EV or variance of the gambles led to no decision. Analysis of the data from 49 subjects concentrated mainly on three points: (a) overall dominance (computed from the paired-comparison matrix), (b) the most preferred strategy and (c) transition probabilities (probability of applying strategy s; if an attempt with strategy S1 did not lead to a decision). The data showed that most subjects started with a complex strategy but tended to go to a less complex strategy if the first strategy did not lead to a decision.

Die empirisch und experimentell arbeitenden Psychologie – kompakt und verständlich. Die seit Jahr... more Die empirisch und experimentell arbeitenden Psychologie – kompakt und verständlich. Die seit Jahren bewährte Einführung macht mit den elementaren Grundlagen des Experimentierens und der Prüfung von empirischen Hypothesen vertraut – konsequent anhand anschaulicher Beispiele und mit vielen praktischen Tipps. Das Konzept des Buches entstand aus der jahrelangen Lehrtätigkeit des Autors in der Methodikausbildung. Das Lehrbuch wurde vielfach erfolgreich in der Praxis erprobt und hat schon Generationen von Studierenden begleitet. In der sechsten Auflage wurde der Text aktualisiert und durch neue Cartoons ergänzt. Unentbehrlich für Studierende der Psychologie und der Nachbardisziplinen, Lehrende im Bereich der Methodenlehre sowie für Nicht-Psychologen, die an einem besseren Verständnis der empirisch und experimentell arbeitenden Psychologie interessiert sind.

Decision behavior in realistic risky scenarios is quite different from that in gambles: Decision ... more Decision behavior in realistic risky scenarios is quite different from that in gambles: Decision makers in the former are less interested in probability information than they are in the latter. Instead, they often attempt to actively manipulate the risk in an otherwise attractive alternative using a risk-defusing operator (RDO). An RDO is an action intended by the decision maker to be performed in addition to the risky but otherwise attractive alternative, and it is expected to decrease the risk (e.g., vaccination, insurance). The search for an RDO and the incorporation of a detected RDO into the alternative cannot be modeled with classical decision theories or heuristics. In this article I present risk-management-decision theory, which describes the decision process with and without RDOs, and give an overview about experimental research with RDOs. I discuss the consequences of the RDO concept for theories of decision behavior.

Humor, 2013

The aim of the present study was to better understand humor in individuals with Asperger's syndro... more The aim of the present study was to better understand humor in individuals with Asperger's syndrome. Therefore, various humor and laughter related phenomena were investigated by means of various standardized humor instruments. Forty individuals with AS and 113 controls filled out several self-report questionnaires and tests. The results revealed that individuals with AS scored significantly lower on trait cheerfulness and higher on trait seriousness (both describing the susceptibility to humor). Furthermore, they scored low on scales related to social communication (affiliative humor, humor entertainment) and portrayed a more socially cold humor style. In addition, individuals with AS scored low on mean-spirited humor, and used less adaptive (self-enhancing) and more maladaptive humor styles (self-defeating humor). Finally, they preferred incongruity-resolution humor, representing a more reality-oriented processing style. These findings add to previous studies on humor and expand the knowledge of components associated with successful humor appreciation.

European Journal of Cognitive Psychology, 2008

In experiments with quasi-realistic risky scenarios instead of gambles, decision makers are less ... more In experiments with quasi-realistic risky scenarios instead of gambles, decision makers are less interested in probability information. Often, they actively search for a risk defusing operator (RDO; an action to be performed in addition to a specific alternative and expected to decrease the risk involved). Examples in daily life are insurance and vaccination. In our experiment, the central independent variable

NeuroImage, 2002

This study investigated the neuronal basis of evaluative judgment. Judgments can be defined as th... more This study investigated the neuronal basis of evaluative judgment. Judgments can be defined as the assessment of an external or internal stimulus on an internal scale and they are fundamental for decisionmaking and other cognitive processes. Evaluative judgments (I like George W. Bush: yes/no) are a special type of judgment, in which the internal scale is related to the person's value system (preferences, norms, aesthetic values, etc.). We used functional magnetic resonance imaging to examine brain activation during the performance of evaluative judgments as opposed to episodic and semantic memory retrieval. Evaluative judgment produced significant activation in the anterior frontomedian cortex (BA 10/9), the inferior precuneus (BA 23/31), and the left inferior prefrontal cortex (BA 45/47). The results show a functional dissociation between the activations in the anterior frontomedian cortex and in the inferior precuneus. The latter was mainly activated by episodic retrieval processes, supporting its function as a multimodal association area that integrates the different aspects of retrieved and newly presented information. In contrast, the anterior frontomedian cortex was mainly involved in evaluative judgments, supporting its role in self-referential processes and in the self-initiation of cognitive processes. © 2002 Elsevier Science (USA)

Journal of Behavioral Decision Making, 2014

ABSTRACT Decision makers intending to avoid risk in a decision situation can choose a less risky ... more ABSTRACT Decision makers intending to avoid risk in a decision situation can choose a less risky alternative (passive risk avoidance) or intervene actively in an alternative applying a risk-defusing action (active risk avoidance). In Experiment 1 (64 participants), we compared active and passive risk defusing in two framing conditions. In the negative frame, in the uncertain alternative, a change to the worse was possible; in the positive frame, a change to an improvement was possible. Each participant decided in both framing conditions. As expected, active risk avoidance behavior for preventing a negative outcome (i.e., in the negative frame) was more likely than for promoting a positive one (i.e., in the positive frame). If decision makers did not or could not actively defuse the risk, they chose in correspondence to the classical pattern: risk avoidance in the positive frame and risk seeking in the negative one. We replicated the latter result in a second experiment (32 participants). The classical framing pattern in passive risk avoidance in both experiments is remarkable, because participants were not presented or did not search for exact probabilities. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Theory and Decision, 1974

An axiomatic system TP is developed which allows the amalgamation of linear preferences (preferen... more An axiomatic system TP is developed which allows the amalgamation of linear preferences (preferences in respect to different criteria) according to the weights of those criteria. Section 1 deals with linear preferences. In Section 2 an axiomatic system for the ordering of classes of criteria is formulated. Section 3 explains the development of system TP. Two TP-systems are distinguished, based on two different linear preference systems. The preference relation of TP is shown to be nontransitive, while the linear preference relation is transitive. In 3.7 an alternative-system TP' is given. Section 3.8 deals with formulas concerning the disjunction of alternatives, which are not valid in TP, even though they are valid in a linear preference system. In Section 4 types of preference relations and types of alternatives are distinguished to get the opportunity to express preferences between preferences.

Theory and Decision, 1979

A descriptive multidimensional preference-model (WM) is developed which amalgamates dimension-wis... more A descriptive multidimensional preference-model (WM) is developed which amalgamates dimension-wise preference-relations (preferences in respect to different decision-criteria) into an overall-preference, according to the weights of the dimensions. Apart from the common preference-axioms, WM is based on an axiomatic system C for the weighing of the dimensions. Proofs of consistency and of independence of the axioms are presented. The overall-preference-rektion is shown to be nontransitive. The likewise nontransitive overall-indifference is divided into two other overall-indifference-relations, one of them is transitive, the other nontransitive. Thus WM is able to explain ‘intransitivities’ even if perfect discriminability is assumed. System C is further interpreted as system of Qualitative Probability and its relations to the standard system of Qualitative Probability are analyzed. In the last section WM is compared with some other decision-models (Dominance-rule, Lexicographic-ordering, Majority-rule, Additive-difference-model), some possible interpretations of WM and the limits of WM are discussed.

In experiments on risky decisions with gambles as alternatives the central factors determining de... more In experiments on risky decisions with gambles as alternatives the central
factors determining decision behaviour are: The subjective values of the outcomes,
and their subjective probability.
The present paper first reports results of a number of experiments indicating
that this central result cannot be generalized. In quasi-realistic risky scenarios, many
decision makers are not interested in probability information and many search
actively for risk-defusing operators (RDOs). An RDO is an action intended by the
decision maker to be performed additionally to a specific alternative in order to
decrease the risk.
The paper also gives an overview about experimental research with RDOs.
Topics include the factors that determine the search for RDOs and the factors
affecting the acceptance of an RDO. Finding an acceptable RDO has a distinct effect
on choice: If for a specific risky alternative an RDO is available, this alternative is
chosen most often.
The consequences of the concept of RDOs on theories about decision
behaviour and on aiding decision making are discussed.

In risky decision situations, many decision makers search for risk-defusing operators (RDOs). An ... more In risky decision situations, many decision makers search for risk-defusing operators
(RDOs). An RDO is an action intended by the decision maker to be performed additionally
to a specific alternative and is expected to decrease the risk. Pre-event RDOs (e.g., vaccination)
have to be applied before a negative event (e.g., infection) occurs. Post-event RDOs do not
need to be initiated before and unless the event happens (e.g., medical treatment). For the successful
application of Post-event RDOs, the negative event must be detected in time. Two experiments
investigated the effect of uncertainty in the detection of the negative event. In
Experiment 1, only a small minority of subjects noted this uncertainty without a cue, and even
with cue, only a minority actively searched for probability information. In Experiment 2, the
probability for correctly detecting the negative event was varied. When detection was certain,
most subjects chose the alternative with a Post-event RDO, whereas this percentage decreased
significantly with decreasing probability of correct detection. Also, in the conditions with a
more extreme negative outcome, less decision makers chose the alternative with the Post-event
RDO.

Theory and Decision Library C, 2007

In experiments on risky decisions with gambles as alternatives the central factors determining de... more In experiments on risky decisions with gambles as alternatives the central factors determining decision behaviour are: The subjective values of the outcomes, and their subjective probability.

Abstrqct one component of the decision process in a multidimensional context is the cognitive str... more Abstrqct one component of the decision process in a multidimensional context is the cognitive strategy a decision maker uses when amalgamating dimensional preferences. There is a considerable lack of information about the sequential order in which a decision maker applies cognitive strategies. For this reason, a complete paired-comparison matrix of dominance was established empirically over the following strategies: kxicographic ordering, Maximax, Miximin, Greatest attractiveness difference, and weighted sets of dimensions. Strategy S1 is said to dominate strategy sj iff si is used in a decision situation where both S; and Si may be applied. päirs of gambles x and y were constructed such that the use of Sf led to the choice of gamble x, while the use of S1 resulted in the choice of gamble y, and the application of the other three strategies, Majority rule, and choice by EV or variance of the gambles led to no decision. Analysis of the data from 49 subjects concentrated mainly on three points: (a) overall dominance (computed from the paired-comparison matrix), (b) the most preferred strategy and (c) transition probabilities (probability of applying strategy s; if an attempt with strategy S1 did not lead to a decision). The data showed that most subjects started with a complex strategy but tended to go to a less complex strategy if the first strategy did not lead to a decision.

Die empirisch und experimentell arbeitenden Psychologie – kompakt und verständlich. Die seit Jahr... more Die empirisch und experimentell arbeitenden Psychologie – kompakt und verständlich. Die seit Jahren bewährte Einführung macht mit den elementaren Grundlagen des Experimentierens und der Prüfung von empirischen Hypothesen vertraut – konsequent anhand anschaulicher Beispiele und mit vielen praktischen Tipps. Das Konzept des Buches entstand aus der jahrelangen Lehrtätigkeit des Autors in der Methodikausbildung. Das Lehrbuch wurde vielfach erfolgreich in der Praxis erprobt und hat schon Generationen von Studierenden begleitet. In der sechsten Auflage wurde der Text aktualisiert und durch neue Cartoons ergänzt. Unentbehrlich für Studierende der Psychologie und der Nachbardisziplinen, Lehrende im Bereich der Methodenlehre sowie für Nicht-Psychologen, die an einem besseren Verständnis der empirisch und experimentell arbeitenden Psychologie interessiert sind.

Decision behavior in realistic risky scenarios is quite different from that in gambles: Decision ... more Decision behavior in realistic risky scenarios is quite different from that in gambles: Decision makers in the former are less interested in probability information than they are in the latter. Instead, they often attempt to actively manipulate the risk in an otherwise attractive alternative using a risk-defusing operator (RDO). An RDO is an action intended by the decision maker to be performed in addition to the risky but otherwise attractive alternative, and it is expected to decrease the risk (e.g., vaccination, insurance). The search for an RDO and the incorporation of a detected RDO into the alternative cannot be modeled with classical decision theories or heuristics. In this article I present risk-management-decision theory, which describes the decision process with and without RDOs, and give an overview about experimental research with RDOs. I discuss the consequences of the RDO concept for theories of decision behavior.

Humor, 2013

The aim of the present study was to better understand humor in individuals with Asperger's syndro... more The aim of the present study was to better understand humor in individuals with Asperger's syndrome. Therefore, various humor and laughter related phenomena were investigated by means of various standardized humor instruments. Forty individuals with AS and 113 controls filled out several self-report questionnaires and tests. The results revealed that individuals with AS scored significantly lower on trait cheerfulness and higher on trait seriousness (both describing the susceptibility to humor). Furthermore, they scored low on scales related to social communication (affiliative humor, humor entertainment) and portrayed a more socially cold humor style. In addition, individuals with AS scored low on mean-spirited humor, and used less adaptive (self-enhancing) and more maladaptive humor styles (self-defeating humor). Finally, they preferred incongruity-resolution humor, representing a more reality-oriented processing style. These findings add to previous studies on humor and expand the knowledge of components associated with successful humor appreciation.

European Journal of Cognitive Psychology, 2008

In experiments with quasi-realistic risky scenarios instead of gambles, decision makers are less ... more In experiments with quasi-realistic risky scenarios instead of gambles, decision makers are less interested in probability information. Often, they actively search for a risk defusing operator (RDO; an action to be performed in addition to a specific alternative and expected to decrease the risk involved). Examples in daily life are insurance and vaccination. In our experiment, the central independent variable

NeuroImage, 2002

This study investigated the neuronal basis of evaluative judgment. Judgments can be defined as th... more This study investigated the neuronal basis of evaluative judgment. Judgments can be defined as the assessment of an external or internal stimulus on an internal scale and they are fundamental for decisionmaking and other cognitive processes. Evaluative judgments (I like George W. Bush: yes/no) are a special type of judgment, in which the internal scale is related to the person's value system (preferences, norms, aesthetic values, etc.). We used functional magnetic resonance imaging to examine brain activation during the performance of evaluative judgments as opposed to episodic and semantic memory retrieval. Evaluative judgment produced significant activation in the anterior frontomedian cortex (BA 10/9), the inferior precuneus (BA 23/31), and the left inferior prefrontal cortex (BA 45/47). The results show a functional dissociation between the activations in the anterior frontomedian cortex and in the inferior precuneus. The latter was mainly activated by episodic retrieval processes, supporting its function as a multimodal association area that integrates the different aspects of retrieved and newly presented information. In contrast, the anterior frontomedian cortex was mainly involved in evaluative judgments, supporting its role in self-referential processes and in the self-initiation of cognitive processes. © 2002 Elsevier Science (USA)

Journal of Behavioral Decision Making, 2014

ABSTRACT Decision makers intending to avoid risk in a decision situation can choose a less risky ... more ABSTRACT Decision makers intending to avoid risk in a decision situation can choose a less risky alternative (passive risk avoidance) or intervene actively in an alternative applying a risk-defusing action (active risk avoidance). In Experiment 1 (64 participants), we compared active and passive risk defusing in two framing conditions. In the negative frame, in the uncertain alternative, a change to the worse was possible; in the positive frame, a change to an improvement was possible. Each participant decided in both framing conditions. As expected, active risk avoidance behavior for preventing a negative outcome (i.e., in the negative frame) was more likely than for promoting a positive one (i.e., in the positive frame). If decision makers did not or could not actively defuse the risk, they chose in correspondence to the classical pattern: risk avoidance in the positive frame and risk seeking in the negative one. We replicated the latter result in a second experiment (32 participants). The classical framing pattern in passive risk avoidance in both experiments is remarkable, because participants were not presented or did not search for exact probabilities. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Theory and Decision, 1974

An axiomatic system TP is developed which allows the amalgamation of linear preferences (preferen... more An axiomatic system TP is developed which allows the amalgamation of linear preferences (preferences in respect to different criteria) according to the weights of those criteria. Section 1 deals with linear preferences. In Section 2 an axiomatic system for the ordering of classes of criteria is formulated. Section 3 explains the development of system TP. Two TP-systems are distinguished, based on two different linear preference systems. The preference relation of TP is shown to be nontransitive, while the linear preference relation is transitive. In 3.7 an alternative-system TP' is given. Section 3.8 deals with formulas concerning the disjunction of alternatives, which are not valid in TP, even though they are valid in a linear preference system. In Section 4 types of preference relations and types of alternatives are distinguished to get the opportunity to express preferences between preferences.

Theory and Decision, 1979

A descriptive multidimensional preference-model (WM) is developed which amalgamates dimension-wis... more A descriptive multidimensional preference-model (WM) is developed which amalgamates dimension-wise preference-relations (preferences in respect to different decision-criteria) into an overall-preference, according to the weights of the dimensions. Apart from the common preference-axioms, WM is based on an axiomatic system C for the weighing of the dimensions. Proofs of consistency and of independence of the axioms are presented. The overall-preference-rektion is shown to be nontransitive. The likewise nontransitive overall-indifference is divided into two other overall-indifference-relations, one of them is transitive, the other nontransitive. Thus WM is able to explain ‘intransitivities’ even if perfect discriminability is assumed. System C is further interpreted as system of Qualitative Probability and its relations to the standard system of Qualitative Probability are analyzed. In the last section WM is compared with some other decision-models (Dominance-rule, Lexicographic-ordering, Majority-rule, Additive-difference-model), some possible interpretations of WM and the limits of WM are discussed.