title: Can we assume that research participants are utility maximisers?
abstract: The objective of this study was to experimentally examine by means of an information manipulation if respondents are adhering to the utility theory axiom of utility maximisation. A repeated measure experimental design was used. Assessments were conducted pre- and post-intervention with self-administered questionnaires. The study participants were 158 (142 after exclusions) first year undergraduate students, Bangor University (UK). The intervention-information manipulation-did not induce the hypothesised changes in the perceived pros and cons of, or desire for, genetic testing and counselling for breast cancer; correlation revealed a weak relationship between the pros and cons of and desire for testing and counselling. We conclude that there was no evidence of utility maximisation-the key tenet of utility theory-being used. Given the contradiction between the findings of this study and others, there is a need to conduct further research into utility maximisation.
authors.affiliation: Health Economics Research Group, Brunel University, Uxbridge, Middlesex, UB8 3PH, UK. Gethin.Griffith@brunel.ac.uk
authors.forename: Gethin L
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Griffith
authors.forename: Val
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Morrison
authors.forename: J Mark G
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: Rhiannon Tudor
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Edwards
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003657:Decision Making; D005260:Female; D005817:Genetic Counseling / Q000523:psychology*; D005820:Genetic Testing / Q000523:psychology*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D016013:Likelihood Functions; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011897:Random Allocation; D055815:Young Adult