Every choice function is pro-con rationalizable
Date
2022-06-22Source Title
Operations Research
Print ISSN
0030-364X
Electronic ISSN
1526-5463
Publisher
Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences (INFORMS)
Pages
1 - 14
Language
English
Type
ArticleItem Usage Stats
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10
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Abstract
We consider an agent who is endowed with two sets of orderings: pro- and con-orderings. For each choice set, if an alternative is the top-ranked by a pro-ordering (con-ordering), then this is a pro (con) for choosing that alternative. The alternative with more pros than cons is chosen from each choice set. Each ordering may have a weight reflecting its salience. In this case, the probability that an alternative is chosen equals the difference between the total weights of its pros and cons. We show that every nuance of the rich human choice behavior can be captured via this structured model. Our technique requires a generalization of the Ford-Fulkerson theorem, which may be of independent interest. As an application of our results, we show that every choice rule is plurality-rationalizable.