Assessing the sensitivity of information distortion to four potential influences in studies of risky choice
The emergence of a leading alternative during the course of a decision is known to bias the evaluation of new information in a manner that favors that alternative. We report 3 studies that address the sensitivity of predecisional information distortion and its effects in hypothetical risky decisions...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Cambridge University Press
2013-11-01
|
| Series: | Judgment and Decision Making |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://journal.sjdm.org/13/13908/jdm13908.pdf |
| _version_ | 1797706568596193280 |
|---|---|
| author | Seth A. Miller Michael L. DeKay Eric R. Stone Clare M. Sorenson |
| author_facet | Seth A. Miller Michael L. DeKay Eric R. Stone Clare M. Sorenson |
| author_sort | Seth A. Miller |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The emergence of a leading alternative during the course of a decision is known to bias the evaluation of new information in a manner that favors that alternative. We report 3 studies that address the sensitivity of predecisional information distortion and its effects in hypothetical risky decisions with regard to 4 potential influences: choice domain, repeated choice, memory requirements, and intermediate progress questions. In Experiment 1 (N = 515), the magnitude of information distortion was similar in 5 choice domains (varied between participants) involving monetary gambles, song downloads, frequent-flyer miles, political decisions, or medical decisions. Information distortion mediated the relationship between our manipulation of initial preferences and participants' final choices, with the magnitude of the indirect effect being roughly similar across domains. These results replicate and extend previous findings. Additionally, distortion decreased significantly over 4 similar decision problems (within participants), but remained significant in the fourth problem. In Experiment 2 (N = 214), information distortion increased significantly when previously viewed information remained available, apparently because reiterating that information strengthened emerging preferences. In Experiment 3 (N = 223), the removal of intermediate progress questions that measure information distortion and emerging preferences did not significantly affect final choices, again replicating previous results. We conclude that predecisional information distortion is a relatively stable and robust phenomenon that deserves a prominent role in descriptive theories of choice. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-12T05:53:14Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-283c7cfff3fb468096989e0163a329c3 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1930-2975 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-12T05:53:14Z |
| publishDate | 2013-11-01 |
| publisher | Cambridge University Press |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Judgment and Decision Making |
| spelling | doaj.art-283c7cfff3fb468096989e0163a329c32023-09-03T04:51:56ZengCambridge University PressJudgment and Decision Making1930-29752013-11-0186662677Assessing the sensitivity of information distortion to four potential influences in studies of risky choiceSeth A. MillerMichael L. DeKayEric R. StoneClare M. SorensonThe emergence of a leading alternative during the course of a decision is known to bias the evaluation of new information in a manner that favors that alternative. We report 3 studies that address the sensitivity of predecisional information distortion and its effects in hypothetical risky decisions with regard to 4 potential influences: choice domain, repeated choice, memory requirements, and intermediate progress questions. In Experiment 1 (N = 515), the magnitude of information distortion was similar in 5 choice domains (varied between participants) involving monetary gambles, song downloads, frequent-flyer miles, political decisions, or medical decisions. Information distortion mediated the relationship between our manipulation of initial preferences and participants' final choices, with the magnitude of the indirect effect being roughly similar across domains. These results replicate and extend previous findings. Additionally, distortion decreased significantly over 4 similar decision problems (within participants), but remained significant in the fourth problem. In Experiment 2 (N = 214), information distortion increased significantly when previously viewed information remained available, apparently because reiterating that information strengthened emerging preferences. In Experiment 3 (N = 223), the removal of intermediate progress questions that measure information distortion and emerging preferences did not significantly affect final choices, again replicating previous results. We conclude that predecisional information distortion is a relatively stable and robust phenomenon that deserves a prominent role in descriptive theories of choice.http://journal.sjdm.org/13/13908/jdm13908.pdfinformation distortionmediationmemorypreference formationriskychoice. |
| spellingShingle | Seth A. Miller Michael L. DeKay Eric R. Stone Clare M. Sorenson Assessing the sensitivity of information distortion to four potential influences in studies of risky choice Judgment and Decision Making information distortion mediation memory preference formation riskychoice. |
| title | Assessing the sensitivity of information distortion to four potential influences in studies of risky choice |
| title_full | Assessing the sensitivity of information distortion to four potential influences in studies of risky choice |
| title_fullStr | Assessing the sensitivity of information distortion to four potential influences in studies of risky choice |
| title_full_unstemmed | Assessing the sensitivity of information distortion to four potential influences in studies of risky choice |
| title_short | Assessing the sensitivity of information distortion to four potential influences in studies of risky choice |
| title_sort | assessing the sensitivity of information distortion to four potential influences in studies of risky choice |
| topic | information distortion mediation memory preference formation riskychoice. |
| url | http://journal.sjdm.org/13/13908/jdm13908.pdf |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT sethamiller assessingthesensitivityofinformationdistortiontofourpotentialinfluencesinstudiesofriskychoice AT michaelldekay assessingthesensitivityofinformationdistortiontofourpotentialinfluencesinstudiesofriskychoice AT ericrstone assessingthesensitivityofinformationdistortiontofourpotentialinfluencesinstudiesofriskychoice AT claremsorenson assessingthesensitivityofinformationdistortiontofourpotentialinfluencesinstudiesofriskychoice |