Belief functions contextual discounting and canonical decompositions

In this article, the contextual discounting of a belief function, a classical discounting generalization, is extended and its particular link with the canonical disjunctive decomposition is highlighted. A general family of correction mechanisms allowing one to weaken the information provided by a source is then introduced, as well as the dual of this family allowing one to strengthen a belief function.

► Development of the belief function contextual discounting: a refinement of the discounting operation introduced by Shafer. ► The reliability of a source of information may depend on the true value of the variable of interest. ► A simple expression based on disjunctive combinations is given. ► The dual expression of this discounting, allowing one to strengthen a belief function is introduced. ► Links between these contextual operations and canonical disjunctive and conjunctive decompositions are highlighted.