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The ambiguity effect says that we try to avoid uncertain outcomes. Still, many products are selling well excactly because they give uncertain outcomes. One example is Kinder Eggs, and many similar candies\toys. Some shops also get rid og their spare products by selling them in 'surprise bags'.

Why do people like buying products with uncertain outcomes, if the ambiguity effect is true?

Berit Larsen
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    Isn't the propensity of people to get addicted to gambling not opposing this theory? Novelty seeking opposes it too. Quite frankly, I don't understand the premise of this question. Especially so since an expected surprise is not a surprise... Maybe I'm missing something O.o – AliceD Jun 02 '16 at 18:35
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    @Christiaan FWIW, The functions of ACh and NE have been cast in terms of "expected uncertainty" vs. "unexpected uncertainty" (e.g., here). And the reason why novelty seeking doesn't necessarily oppose this idea is addressed, e.g., here ("the dark room problem"). Don't know if this helps clarify things. – mrt Jun 02 '16 at 23:25
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    @mrt that sounds like an answer – Seanny123 Jun 03 '16 at 02:43

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There is no ambiguity as such with respect to expectations in those examples. When you buy a Kinder Egg, you know up front you won't know what's in there. In other words, it's perfectly unambiguous that you don't know what to expect from a Kinder Egg.

Christian Hummeluhr
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