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A modified Monty Hall problem

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Abstract

We conduct a laboratory experiment using the Monty Hall problem to study how simplified examples improve learning behavior and correct irrational choices in probabilistic situations. In particular, we show that after experiencing a simplified version of the MHP (the 100-door version), subjects perform better in the MHP (the 3-door version), compared to the control group who only experienced the 3-door version. Our results suggest that simplified examples strongly induces learning.

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Acknowledgements

This is an extension of Wei James Chen’s master thesis. Yu-Tsong Tai, Yahan Chuang, Ally Wu, Sara Yi-Ping Bai and Vivian Tzu-Fan Own provided excellent research assistance. We thank comments from Daniel Friedman, Chen-Ying Huang, Colin F. Camerer, Walter Yuan, Ching-I Huang, Sheng-Kai Chang, Martin Dufwenberg, Staphanie W. Wang, and the audience of the ESA 2009 International Meeting and North American Regional Meeting. This work was supported by CRETA, National Taiwan University (NTU-107L900203; MOST 107-3017-F-002-004). All remaining errors are our own.

Funding

This work was partially funded by the National Science Council of Taiwan (Grant number NSC 98-2410-H-002-069-MY2, NSC 102-2628-H-002-002-MY4).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Business Administration, National Central University, 300 Jung-da Road, Jung-li, Taoyuan, 320, Taiwan

    Wei James Chen

  2. Department of Economics and Center for Research in Econometric Theory and Applications, National Taiwan University, 1 Roosevelt Road, Section 4, Taipei, 106, Taiwan

    Joseph Tao-yi Wang

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  1. Wei James Chen
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  2. Joseph Tao-yi Wang
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Correspondence to Wei James Chen.

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Chen, W.J., Wang, J.Ty. A modified Monty Hall problem. Theory Decis 89, 151–156 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11238-020-09757-1

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