Intertemporal Judgements in Multi-Attribute Decision-Making

Biases and Mitigation Ideas

Journal Article (2026)
Author(s)

P. Gülüm Taş (TU Delft - Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science)

M.Y. Maknoon (TU Delft - Technology, Policy and Management)

J. Rezaei (TU Delft - Technology, Policy and Management)

Research Group
Interactive Intelligence
DOI related publication
https://doi.org/10.1002/mcda.70035 Final published version
More Info
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Publication Year
2026
Language
English
Research Group
Interactive Intelligence
Journal title
Journal of Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis
Issue number
2
Volume number
33
Article number
e70035
Pages (from-to)
1-19
Downloads counter
5
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Abstract

Intertemporal judgements are susceptible to biases that can distort evaluations and lead to inconsistent choices. While time-related biases have been studied extensively from a descriptive perspective, little attention has been given to prescriptive approaches and the complex trade-offs involved in multi-attribute decision-making (MADM). This study provides a comprehensive review of the effects of such biases on the MADM process. Drawing on evidence from behavioural economics, psychology, and decision analysis, we identify six time-related biases and analyse the vulnerabilities they can introduce at each step of the MADM procedure. We also outline preliminary ideas that may help analysts and decision-makers reduce these biases in the unique context of intertemporal multi-attribute problems. Our findings highlight the importance of addressing biases from the earliest stages, such as problem structuring, and underscore the need for further empirical research to test and refine these proposed strategies.