Making Better Decisions introduces readers to some of the principal aspects of decision theory, and examines how these might lead us to make better decisions.
Introduces readers to key aspects of decision theory and examines how they might help us make better decisions
Presentation of material encourages readers to imagine a situation and make a decision or a judgment
Offers a broad coverage of the subject including major insights from several sub-disciplines: microeconomic theory, decision theory, game theory, social choice, statistics, psychology, and philosophy
Explains these insights informally in a language that has minimal mathematical notation or jargon, even when describing and interpreting mathematical theorems
Critically assesses the theory presented within the text, as well as some of its critiques
“The book is a modern take on decision making. The innovative scope will inspire instructors by encouraging them to include a combination rather than a subset of decision-theoretic, statistical, behavioral, and philosophical concepts in their courses."
—Marzena J. Rostek, University of Wisconsin
“Written by a leading authority and teacher in the area of decision theory, this is a terrific combined textbook–handbook for students and practitioners of management. Indeed, it is a terrific book for everyone interested in ‘making better decisions.’"
—Adam Brandenburger, New York University
“This book is extremely effective for anyone who wants to acquire quick, basic understanding of old and new concepts of decision theory, with a minimum level of technical details.”
—Ehud Kalai, Northwestern University
"Gilboa is one of the leaders of the revolution that has swept through the field of decision theory in the past few decades, in which mathematical methods of statistics and economics have been integrated with findings from modern psychology. In this book he provides an accessible and practical survey of the state of the art, which encourages readers to reflect on – and try to sharpen – their intuitions and habits of decision making. It would make an excellent primary or supplementary text for an undergraduate- or masters-level course in decision theory. It should also be useful and enjoyable reading for anyone who wants to learn about concepts that can be used and mistakes that should be avoided when taking calculated risks."
—Robert Nau, Duke University
"Itzhak Gilboa is one of the deepest thinkers in modern decision theory. In this fascinating and wonderfully written book he uses the fundamental models of decision making as a basis for reflection upon several systematic patterns revealed by our everyday choices. He strikes a nice balance between analytical models, psychological insights, and pragmatism with the end goals of improving our decision making and better understanding the decisions of others."
—Tomasz Strzalecki, Harvard University
Product dimensions: 6.10 (w) x 9.10 (h) x 0.90 (d)
Meet the Author
Itzhak Gilboa is a chaired Professor in the Department of Economics and Decision Sciences at HEC, Paris and in the Eitan Berglas School of Economics at Tel Aviv University, and Fellow of the Cowles Foundation at Yale University. He previously held the position of chaired Professor at the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. Gilboa’s research focuses on decision under uncertainty. He has worked with David Schmeidler on axiomatic foundation of non-Bayesian decision theory and contributed to research in complexity in game theory, evolutionary game theory, and social choice. He is co-author of A Theory of Case-Based Decisions (with David Schmeidler, 2001), and author of Theory of Decision under Uncertainty (2009) and of Rational Choice (2010).
Our reader reviews allow you to share your comments on titles you liked,
or didn't, with others. By submitting an online review, you are representing to
Barnes & Noble.com that all information contained in your review is original
and accurate in all respects, and that the submission of such content by you
and the posting of such content by Barnes & Noble.com does not and will not
violate the rights of any third party. Please follow the rules below to help
ensure that your review can be posted.
Reviews by Our Customers Under the Age of 13
We highly value and respect everyone's opinion concerning the titles we offer.
However, we cannot allow persons under the age of 13 to have accounts at BN.com or
to post customer reviews. Please see our Terms of Use for more details.
What to exclude from your review:
Please do not write about reviews, commentary, or information posted on the product page. If you see any errors in the
information on the product page, please send us an email.
Reviews should not contain any of the following:
- HTML tags, profanity, obscenities, vulgarities, or comments that defame anyone
- Time-sensitive information such as tour dates, signings, lectures, etc.
- Single-word reviews. Other people will read your review to discover why you liked or didn't like the title. Be descriptive.
- Comments focusing on the author or that may ruin the ending for others
- Phone numbers, addresses, URLs
- Pricing and availability information or alternative ordering information
- Advertisements or commercial solicitation
Reminder:
- By submitting a review, you grant to Barnes & Noble.com and its
sublicensees the royalty-free, perpetual, irrevocable right and license to use the
review in accordance with the Barnes & Noble.com Terms of Use.
- Barnes & Noble.com reserves the right not to post any review -- particularly
those that do not follow the terms and conditions of these Rules. Barnes & Noble.com
also reserves the right to remove any review at any time without notice.
- See Terms of Use for other conditions and disclaimers.
Search for Products You'd Like to Recommend
Create a Pen Name
Welcome, penname
You have successfully created your Pen Name. Start enjoying the benefits of the BN.com Community today.
If you find inappropriate content, please report it to Barnes & Noble
More About This Textbook
Overview
What People Are Saying
From the Publisher
“The book is a modern take on decision making. The innovative scope will inspire instructors by encouraging them to include a combination rather than a subset of decision-theoretic, statistical, behavioral, and philosophical concepts in their courses."
—Marzena J. Rostek, University of Wisconsin
“Written by a leading authority and teacher in the area of decision theory, this is a terrific combined textbook–handbook for students and practitioners of management. Indeed, it is a terrific book for everyone interested in ‘making better decisions.’"
—Adam Brandenburger, New York University
“This book is extremely effective for anyone who wants to acquire quick, basic understanding of old and new concepts of decision theory, with a minimum level of technical details.”
—Ehud Kalai, Northwestern University
"Gilboa is one of the leaders of the revolution that has swept through the field of decision theory in the past few decades, in which mathematical methods of statistics and economics have been integrated with findings from modern psychology. In this book he provides an accessible and practical survey of the state of the art, which encourages readers to reflect on – and try to sharpen – their intuitions and habits of decision making. It would make an excellent primary or supplementary text for an undergraduate- or masters-level course in decision theory. It should also be useful and enjoyable reading for anyone who wants to learn about concepts that can be used and mistakes that should be avoided when taking calculated risks."
—Robert Nau, Duke University
"Itzhak Gilboa is one of the deepest thinkers in modern decision theory. In this fascinating and wonderfully written book he uses the fundamental models of decision making as a basis for reflection upon several systematic patterns revealed by our everyday choices. He strikes a nice balance between analytical models, psychological insights, and pragmatism with the end goals of improving our decision making and better understanding the decisions of others."
—Tomasz Strzalecki, Harvard University
Product Details
Meet the Author
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments.
1. Background.
Suggested Reading.
2. Judgment and Choice Biases.
Introduction.
Problems – Group A.
Problems – Group B.
Framing Effects.
Brainstorming and Formal Models.
Endowment Effect.
Sunk Costs.
Decision Trees.
Representativeness Heuristic.
Availability Heuristic.
Anchoring.
Mental Accounting.
Dynamic Inconsistency
Exercises.
3. Consuming Statistical Data.
Introduction.
Problems.
Conditional Probabilities.
Gambler’s Fallacy.
Biased Samples.
Regression to the Mean.
Correlation and Causation.
Statistical Significance.
Bayesian and Classical Statistics.
Exercises.
4. Decisions under Risk.
Introduction.
Problems.
The Independence Axiom.
Von Neumann and Morgenstern’s Result.
Measurement of Utility.
Risk Aversion.
Prospect Theory.
Exercises.
5. Decisions under Uncertainty.
Introduction.
Problems.
Subjective Probability.
Learning From the Fact We Know.
Causality.
The Sure Thing Principle.
Alternative Models.
Objective Probabilities.
Exercises.
6. Well-Being and Happiness.
Introduction.
Problems – Group A.
Problems – Group B.
Well-Being.
Measurement Issues.
What’s Happiness?
Exercises.
Appendix A: Optimal Choice.
Appendix B: Probability and Statistics.
Solutions.
Index.