Rational Task Analysis : A Methodology to Benchmark Bounded Rationality

Neth, Hansjörg; Sims, Chris R.; Gray, Wayne D.

Rational Task Analysis : A Methodology to Benchmark Bounded Rationality

Files

There are no files associated with this item.

Date

2016

Authors

Neth, Hansjörg

Sims, Chris R.

Gray, Wayne D.

DOI (citable link)

10.1007/s11023-015-9368-8

Collections

Psychologie

Publication type

Journal article

Published in

Minds and Machines ; 26 (2016), 1-2. - pp. 125-148. - ISSN 0924-6495. - eISSN 1572-8641

Abstract

How can we study bounded rationality? We answer this question by proposing rational task analysis (RTA)—a systematic approach that prevents experimental researchers from drawing premature conclusions regarding the (ir-)rationality of agents. RTA is a methodology and perspective that is anchored in the notion of bounded rationality and aids in the unbiased interpretation of results and the design of more conclusive experimental paradigms. RTA focuses on concrete tasks as the primary interface between agents and environments and requires explicating essential task elements, specifying rational norms, and bracketing the range of possible performance, before contrasting various benchmarks with actual performance. After describing RTA’s core components we illustrate its use in three case studies that examine human memory updating, multitasking behavior, and melioration. We discuss RTA’s characteristic elements and limitations by comparing it to related approaches. We conclude that RTA provides a useful tool to render the study of bounded rationality more transparent and less prone to theoretical confusion.

Subject (DDC)

150 Psychology

Keywords

Bounded rationality, Benchmarking, Optimality, Task environment, Rational analysis, Ecological rationality

Cite This

ISO 690

NETH, Hansjörg, Chris R. SIMS, Wayne D. GRAY, 2016. Rational Task Analysis : A Methodology to Benchmark Bounded Rationality. In: Minds and Machines. 26(1-2), pp. 125-148. ISSN 0924-6495. eISSN 1572-8641. Available under: doi: 10.1007/s11023-015-9368-8

BibTex

@article{Neth2016-03Ratio-31067,
  year={2016},
  doi={10.1007/s11023-015-9368-8},
  title={Rational Task Analysis : A Methodology to Benchmark Bounded Rationality},
  number={1-2},
  volume={26},
  issn={0924-6495},
  journal={Minds and Machines},
  pages={125--148},
  author={Neth, Hansjörg and Sims, Chris R. and Gray, Wayne D.}
}

RDF

<rdf:RDF
    xmlns:dcterms="http://purl.org/dc/terms/"
    xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/"
    xmlns:rdf="http://www.w3.org/1999/02/22-rdf-syntax-ns#"
    xmlns:bibo="http://purl.org/ontology/bibo/"
    xmlns:dspace="http://digital-repositories.org/ontologies/dspace/0.1.0#"
    xmlns:foaf="http://xmlns.com/foaf/0.1/"
    xmlns:void="http://rdfs.org/ns/void#"
    xmlns:xsd="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#" > 
  <rdf:Description rdf:about="https://kops.uni-konstanz.de/server/rdf/resource/123456789/31067">
    <foaf:homepage rdf:resource="http://localhost:8080/"/>
    <void:sparqlEndpoint rdf:resource="http://localhost/fuseki/dspace/sparql"/>
    <dc:contributor>Sims, Chris R.</dc:contributor>
    <dc:date rdf:datatype="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#dateTime">2015-06-01T07:51:04Z</dc:date>
    <dcterms:issued>2016-03</dcterms:issued>
    <dcterms:available rdf:datatype="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#dateTime">2015-06-01T07:51:04Z</dcterms:available>
    <dc:contributor>Gray, Wayne D.</dc:contributor>
    <dcterms:title>Rational Task Analysis : A Methodology to Benchmark Bounded Rationality</dcterms:title>
    <dcterms:isPartOf rdf:resource="https://kops.uni-konstanz.de/server/rdf/resource/123456789/43"/>
    <bibo:uri rdf:resource="http://kops.uni-konstanz.de/handle/123456789/31067"/>
    <dc:creator>Neth, Hansjörg</dc:creator>
    <dc:language>eng</dc:language>
    <dspace:isPartOfCollection rdf:resource="https://kops.uni-konstanz.de/server/rdf/resource/123456789/43"/>
    <dcterms:abstract xml:lang="eng">How can we study bounded rationality? We answer this question by proposing rational task analysis (RTA)—a systematic approach that prevents experimental researchers from drawing premature conclusions regarding the (ir-)rationality of agents. RTA is a methodology and perspective that is anchored in the notion of bounded rationality and aids in the unbiased interpretation of results and the design of more conclusive experimental paradigms. RTA focuses on concrete tasks as the primary interface between agents and environments and requires explicating essential task elements, specifying rational norms, and bracketing the range of possible performance, before contrasting various benchmarks with actual performance. After describing RTA’s core components we illustrate its use in three case studies that examine human memory updating, multitasking behavior, and melioration. We discuss RTA’s characteristic elements and limitations by comparing it to related approaches. We conclude that RTA provides a useful tool to render the study of bounded rationality more transparent and less prone to theoretical confusion.</dcterms:abstract>
    <dc:contributor>Neth, Hansjörg</dc:contributor>
    <dc:creator>Gray, Wayne D.</dc:creator>
    <dc:creator>Sims, Chris R.</dc:creator>
  </rdf:Description>
</rdf:RDF>

Bibliography of Konstanz

Yes