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Cognition Module navigation.
Module Introduction
Lesson Goals
Information Procesing
Attention
Memory
Decision Making
Classical
Modern
Heuristics
Workload
Module Summary
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Cognition > Decision making - 2 of 2
 
 


Classical vs. Modern Decision Making Approaches

  • Classical decision theory began with normative models in economics and statistics, which specified optimal decisions. Emphasis is on the quality of the process followed when making a decision rather than on the ultimate outcome of the decision--the rational decision maker must think logically about the decision by first formally describing what is known about the decision and then applying principles of logic and Bayesian probability theory. This approach is quantitative and can be prescriptive.
  • Modern decision theory focuses on dynamic decision making, whereby actions taken by a decision maker are made sequentially in time and each action may change the environment resulting in a new set of decisions. Decisions might be made under time pressure and stress, by groups or individuals, and in normal or conflicting environments. For instance, a fighter pilot routinely identifies other aircraft as friendly or not, with the latter resulting in the decision making process changing from normal to conflict-driven.
 
 

 

  
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