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with the option to choose a lottery or a sure thing. 111 The attribute A2.3 Resolution will
be used as an example (see fig. 29).
0.5 (p)
L1≡ and
0.5 (1-p)
Figure 29. Utility Assessment.
In this gamble the DM is either offered the best level of resolution or the worst
level of resolution, both with equal probability of 0.5. The sure thing in this example is
the second best level of resolution (1m-4m). The DM is then asked to set the probabilities
such that he would be indifferent between the gamble and the sure thing.
In this particular example, the DM felt that the resolution range of 1 to 4 meters
was pretty good and he decided to choose it, instead of accepting the gamble. This
decision implied that his indifference probability lied between 0.5 and 0.99. After some
more thought, he decided that he would be indifferent between the gamble and the sure
offer if p was set to 0.80.
9m
The same process was repeated for the remaining levels of this attribute and the
utilities were defined according to figure 30. All the utility functions used in the value
model can be found in Appendix 3.
111 Winterfeldt and Edwards, Decision Analysis and Behavioral Research, 241-243.
65
1m – 4m