- Levin, I. P., & Hart, S. S. (2003). Risk preferences in young children: Early evidence of individual differences in reaction to potential gains and losses.Journal of Behavioral Decision Making, 16(5), 397-413.doi: 10.1002/bdm.453
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- Weller, J. A., Levin, I. P., Shiv, B., & Bechara, A. (2007). Neural correlates of adaptive decision making for risky gains and losses.Psychological Science, 18(11), 958-964.doi: 10.1111/j.1467-9280.2007.02009.x
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For more information on the computerized version of the Cups task, contact Josh Weller <jweller(at)decisionresearch.org>.
Purpose
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| The Cups Task was designed to assess risk preferences through choices made in a game. The original Cups Task (Levin & Hart, 2003) was played out in person. The newer Cups Task (Levin et al., 2007; Weller et al., 2007) is computerized and has additional features, described below.
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Original Cups Task
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| Participants play 10 trials in a game, 5 gain trials and 5 loss trials.
- Gain trials
- P is placed in front of a table with 2 sets of 2 boxes.
- One set of boxes (riskless) has one prize in each box.
- Other set of boxes (risky) has 2 prizes in one box and 0 prizes in the other box.
- For each of 5 trials, P must choose from which set of boxes to open a box.
- P is given feedback after each trial.
- Loss trials
- P is placed in front of a table with 2 boxes. In between the boxes are 10 prizes.
- P is told that all 10 prizes are his/hers.
- One box has 2 frown faces with a number 1 on them, indicating the loss of 1 prize each. (riskless)
- Other box has 1 frown face with a number 2 on it (indicating the loss of 2 prizes) and 1 smile face with a number 0 on it (indicating the loss of 0 prizes). (risky)
- For each of 5 trials, P must choose from which box to draw 1 face.
- P is given feedback after each trial.
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Computerized Cups Task
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| Participants play 54 trials in a game, 3 trials for each combination of domain, probability, and outcome magnitude (described below).
- Gain trials: Choice between sure gain of one quarter and an option with a designated probability of winning multiple quarters
- Loss trials: Choice between sure loss of one quarter and an option with a designated probability of losing multiple quarters
- Each trial:
- Array of 2, 3, or 5 cups shown on each side of the computer screen
- Certain side:
- Choosing any cup on the certain side leads to a win (gain trials) or loss (loss trails) of one quarter
- Risky side:
- Choosing one (unidentified) cup on the risky side leads to a win/loss of a designated number of quarters
- Choosing any other cup on the risky side leads to no win/loss (i.e., no change).
- Feedback: Coins are added/subtracted to the bank after each trial. (For loss trials, the bank begins each trial with the maximum number of quarters than can be lost in that trial.)
Aspects of the game that can be manipulated:
- Domain: gain or loss
- Probability of a nonzero outcome in the risky option: p = .2, .33, or .5
- Outcome magnitude in the risky option: # = 2, 3, or 5 quarters (vs. 1 quarter for the riskless option)
There are 3 types of probability / outcome magnitude combinations:
- Neutral: equal EV for risky and riskless option
- Risk advantageous: higher EV for the risky option
- Risk disadvantageous: higher EV for the riskless option
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Sub-scales
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| 1 overall score (risky choices overall) and 3 sub-scales:
- Risky choices to achieve a gain
- Risky choices to avoid a loss
- Sensitivity to expected value differences between options (new in the computerized Cups Task)
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Domain
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Psychometrics
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Sample items
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| N/A
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- Levin, I. P., & Hart, S. S. (2003). Risk preferences in young children: Early evidence of individual differences in reaction to potential gains and losses.Journal of Behavioral Decision Making, 16(5), 397-413.doi: 10.1002/bdm.453
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- Levin, I. P., Hart, S. S., Weller, J. A., & Harshman, L. A. (2007). Stability of choices in a risky decision-making task: A 3-Year longitudinal study with children and adults.Journal of Behavioral Decision Making, 20(3), 241-252.doi: 10.1002/bdm.552
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- Weller, J. A., Levin, I. P., & Bechara, A. (2009). Do individual differences in Iowa Gambling Task performance predict adaptive decision making for risky gains and losses?Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology,doi: 10.1080/13803390902881926
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- Weller, J. A., Levin, I. P., Shiv, B., & Bechara, A. (2007). Neural correlates of adaptive decision making for risky gains and losses.Psychological Science, 18(11), 958-964.doi: 10.1111/j.1467-9280.2007.02009.x
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