Nonparametric numerical approaches to probability weighting function construct for manifestation and prediction of risk preferences

Abstract

Probability weighting function (PWF) is the psychological probability of a decision-maker for objective probability, which reflects and predicts the risk preferences of decision-maker in behavioral decisionmaking. The existing approaches to PWF estimation generally include parametric methodologies to PWF construction and nonparametric elicitation of PWF. However, few of them explores the combination of parametric and nonparametric elicitation approaches to approximate PWF. To describe quantitatively risk preferences, the Newton interpolation, as a well-established mathematical approximation approach, is introduced to task-specifically match PWF under the frameworks of prospect theory and cumulative prospect theory with descriptive psychological analyses. The Newton interpolation serves as a nonparametric numerical approach to the estimation of PWF by fitting experimental preference points without imposing any specific parametric form assumptions. The elaborated nonparametric PWF model varies in accordance with the number of the experimental preference points elicitation in terms of its functional form. The introduction of Newton interpolation to PWF estimation into decision-making under risk will benefit to reflect and predict the risk preferences of decision-makers both at the aggregate and individual levels. The Newton interpolation-based nonparametric PWF model exhibits an inverse S-shaped PWF and obeys the fourfold pattern of decision-makers’ risk preferences as suggested by previous empirical analyses. First published online 17 April 2023

Keywords

• probability weighting function
• risk preference
• nonparametric numerical approach
• Newton interpolation
• preference points
• decision-making under risk