Do unto others: A theory and experimental test of interpersonal preference factors in decision making under uncertainty
研究在不确定性决策中，利他、恶意、公平和竞争等人际偏好如何影响选择。通过五个实验任务分离人际因素，发现个体存在利他公平型、恶意区分型或中立型三种模式，解释了跨制度风险偏好的表面变化。
Abstract We investigate how interpersonal preferences influence decision making under uncertainty. Classical models assume agents maximize expected utility based solely on their own payoffs, yet experimental evidence often shows apparent instability in risk preferences across institutions. We propose and test a utility framework that incorporates altruism, malice, fairness, and competitiveness alongside risk attitudes. Using five choice tasks that hold own-payoff risk constant while varying effects on another participant’s payoffs, we isolate interpersonal factors from the institutional setting and strategic uncertainty. Results show that while average choices align with risk-neutral predictions, individual choices exhibit three systematic patterns: subjects tend to be altruistic and fairness-seeking, malicious and distinction-seeking, or neutral on both dimensions. These findings explain apparent shifts in risk preferences across institutions even when underlying preferences are stable. This highlights the importance of interpersonal considerations in models of choice under uncertainty.