Does Utility Analysis Explain Children's Behavior? Children Love to Play

Multiple Choice

Does utility analysis explain children's behavior? Children love to play "dare" games. Does this sound familiar: "I dare you to ring Mr. Hollub's doorbell and wait until he answers before you run"? What makes a child take the dare?

A) If the utility of getting caught is positive, the dare is taken.
B) If the total utility gained from the dare is greater than the marginal utility of getting caught, the dare is not taken.
C) If the total utility gained from the dare is greater than the marginal utility of getting caught, the dare is taken.
D) The child adds up the sum of the positive utility in taking the dare and the negative utility of getting caught. If the sum is positive, the dare is not taken.
E) The child compares the positive utility gained in taking the dare with the negative utility of getting caught. If the sum of the positive utility and negative utility is positive, the dare is taken.