Conceptual representations of uncertainty predict risky decision-making

Decisions made under uncertainty often are considered according to their perceived subjective value. We move beyond this traditional framework to explore the hypothesis that conceptual representations of uncertainty influence risky choice. Results reveal that uncertainty concepts are represented along a dimension that jointly captures probabilistic and valenced features of the conceptual space. These uncertainty representations predict the degree to which an individual engages in risky decision-making. Moreover, we find that most individuals have two largely distinct representations: one for uncertainty and another for certainty. In contrast, a minority of individuals exhibit substantial overlap between their representations of uncertainty and certainty. Together, these findings reveal the relationship between the conceptualization of uncertainty and risky decisions.

Automated summary

Decisions made under uncertainty are influenced by conceptual representations of uncertainty, which capture both probabilistic and valenced features. These representations predict individuals' engagement in risky decision-making. People generally have separate representations for uncertainty and certainty, although a minority exhibit significant overlap. These findings demonstrate the importance of conceptualizing uncertainty in understanding risky decisions.