Sunk Costs - Features Characterizing The Sunk Cost Heuristic

Features Characterizing The Sunk Cost Heuristic

Two specific features characterizing the sunk cost heuristic worth mentioning are:

  1. An overly optimistic probability bias, whereby after an investment the evaluation of one's investment-reaping dividends is increased.
  2. The requisite of personal responsibility. Sunk cost appears to operate chiefly in those who feel personal responsibility for the investments that are to be viewed as sunk.

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Famous quotes containing the words features, sunk and/or cost:

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    Robert Frost (1874–1963)

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    Elizabeth Stuart Phelps (1844–1911)

    Every new stroke of civilization has cost the lives of countless brave men, who have fallen defeated by the “dragon,” in their efforts to win the apples of the Hesperides, or the fleece of gold. Fallen in their efforts to overcome the old, half sordid savagery of the lower stages of creation, and win the next stage.
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