Fast, frugal and fit : simple heuristics for paired comparison

Details

Serval ID
serval:BIB_BF4C25CCFC21
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Collection
Publications
Title
Fast, frugal and fit : simple heuristics for paired comparison
Journal
Theory and Decision
Author(s)
Martignon L., Hoffrage U.
ISSN
0040-5833
Publication state
Published
Issued date
2002
Peer-reviewed
Oui
Volume
52
Number
1
Pages
29-71
Language
english
Abstract
This article provides an overview of recent results on lexicographic, linear, and Bayesian models for paired comparison from a cognitive psychology perspective. Within each class, we distinguish subclasses according to the computational complexity required for parameter setting. We identify the optimal model in each class, where optimality is defined with respect to performance when fitting known data. Although not optimal when fitting data, simple models can be astonishingly accurate when generalizing to new data. A simple heuristic belonging to the class of lexicographic models is Take The Best (Gigerenzer & Goldstein (1996) Psychol. Rev. 102: 684). It is more robust than other lexicographic strategies which use complex procedures to establish a cue hierarchy. In fact, it is robust due to its simplicity, not despite it. Similarly, Take The Best looks up only a fraction of the information that linear and Bayesian models require; yet it achieves performance comparable to that of models which integrate information. Due to its simplicity, frugality, and accuracy, Take The Best is a plausible candidate for a psychological model in the tradition of bounded rationality. We review empirical evidence showing the descriptive validity of fast and frugal heuristics.
Keywords
Models, Lexicographic, Linear, Bayesian
Web of science
Create date
24/02/2009 14:34
Last modification date
20/08/2019 15:33
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