| Summary: | Adaptive actors
must be able to use probabilities as decision weights. In a computerized
multi-attribute task, the authors examined the decisions of children (5--6
years, n = 44; 9--10 y., n = 39) and adults (21--22 y., n = 31) in an
environment that fosters the application of a weighted-additive strategy that
uses probabilities as weights (WADD: choose option with highest sum of
probability-value products). Applying a Bayesian outcome-based strategy
classification procedure from adult research, we identified the utilization of
WADD and several other strategies (lexicographic, equal weight, naïve Bayes,
guessing, and saturated model) on the individual level. As expected based on
theory, the prevalence of WADD-users in adults was high. In contrast, no
preschoolers could be classified as users of probability-sensitive strategies.
Nearly one-third of third-graders used probability-sensitive
strategies.
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