Inferring decision making from preferences and behavior: An analysis of Aguaruna Jívaro manioc selection Export

@article{citeulike:4368887, abstract = {Abstract\ \  Cognitive models of natural decision making (Quinn, 1978; Gladwin, 1980; Gladwin and Murtaugh, 1980) work well for decision situations in which the decisions are made infrequently, the number of alternatives to be evaluated is small compared with the number of constraints that affect the decision, and the alternatives to be decided among are mutually exclusive of one another. However, it is difficult to apply these models to a decision-making situation that lacks any of these characteristics, such as in the case of Aguaruna J\'{\i}varo manioc selection. As an alternative to a cognitive model, this paper infers the process of Aguaruna manioc selection by comparing the properties attributed to the varieties with the actual frequency with which the varieties occur in Aguaruna gardens. It thereby reduces the possibility that the reasons elicited from informants for their choices are instead post hoc rationalizations of decisions reached on other grounds. Although more modest in its objectives than the cognitive approach, it is argued that this use of a linear model provides a more accurate description of a decision situation in which the diversity of alternatives is maintained for its own sake.}, author = {Boster, James}, citeulike-article-id = {4368887}, citeulike-linkout-0 = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF01531123}, citeulike-linkout-1 = {http://www.springerlink.com/content/wn6272472v07713l}, day = {22}, doi = {10.1007/BF01531123}, journal = {Human Ecology}, keywords = {behaviour, decision\_making, garden}, month = {December}, number = {4}, pages = {343--358}, posted-at = {2009-04-20 12:30:41}, priority = {2}, title = {Inferring decision making from preferences and behavior: An analysis of Aguaruna J\'{\i}varo manioc selection}, url = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF01531123}, volume = {12}, year = {1984} }

TY - JOUR ID - citeulike:4368887 L3 - citeulike-article-id:4368887 N2 - Abstract   Cognitive models of natural decision making (Quinn, 1978; Gladwin, 1980; Gladwin and Murtaugh, 1980) work well for decision situations in which the decisions are made infrequently, the number of alternatives to be evaluated is small compared with the number of constraints that affect the decision, and the alternatives to be decided among are mutually exclusive of one another. However, it is difficult to apply these models to a decision-making situation that lacks any of these characteristics, such as in the case of Aguaruna Jívaro manioc selection. As an alternative to a cognitive model, this paper infers the process of Aguaruna manioc selection by comparing the properties attributed to the varieties with the actual frequency with which the varieties occur in Aguaruna gardens. It thereby reduces the possibility that the reasons elicited from informants for their choices are instead post hoc rationalizations of decisions reached on other grounds. Although more modest in its objectives than the cognitive approach, it is argued that this use of a linear model provides a more accurate description of a decision situation in which the diversity of alternatives is maintained for its own sake. IS - 4 JF - Human Ecology EP - 358 TI - Inferring decision making from preferences and behavior: An analysis of Aguaruna Jívaro manioc selection VL - 12 SP - 343 KW - behaviour KW - decision_making KW - garden AU - Boster, James PY - 1984/12/22/ UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF01531123 ER -