Dynamic decision-making in uncertain environments I. The principle of dynamic utility

被引:0
|
作者
Jin Yoshimura
Hiromu Ito
Donald G. Miller III
Kei-ichi Tainaka
机构
[1] Shizuoka University,Department of Systems Engineering
[2] State University of New York,Department of Environmental and Forest Biology, College of Environmental Science and Forestry
[3] Chiba University,Marine Biosystems Research Center
[4] California State University,Department of Biological Sciences
来源
Journal of Ethology | 2013年 / 31卷
关键词
Dynamic decision-making; Stochastic environment; Foraging behavior; Risk sensitivity; Expected utility theory;
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学科分类号
摘要
Understanding the dynamics or sequences of animal behavior usually involves the application of either dynamic programming or stochastic control methodologies. A difficulty of dynamic programming lies in interpreting numerical output, whereas even relatively simple models of stochastic control are notoriously difficult to solve. Here we develop the theory of dynamic decision-making under probabilistic conditions and risks, assuming individual growth rates of body size are expressed as a simple stochastic process. From our analyses we then derive the optimization of dynamic utility, in which the utility of weight gain, given the current body size, is a logarithmic function: hence the fitness function of an individual varies depending on its current body size. The dynamic utility function also shows that animals are universally sensitive to risk and display risk-averse behaviors. Our result proves the traditional use of expected utility theory and game theory in behavioral studies is valid only as a static model.
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页码:101 / 105
页数:4
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