Do We Choose Differently after a Discussion? Results from a Deliberative Valuation Study in Ireland

A criticism against individual-based stated preference surveys is that people seldom make choices in social isolation. An approach used in response to this is deliberative valuation. We conduct a series of valuation workshops including a choice experiment. This involves providing respondents with information and opportunity to discuss. They made their choices individually both before and after the discussion. On average respondents stated different preferences after the discussion compared to before, and the stated preferences became more consistent after deliberation. Unexpectedly, persons stating high certainty of pre-deliberation choices changed stated preferences more after deliberation than persons stating lower certainty of choices.