Take-the-best and the influence of decision-inconsistent attributes on decision confidence and choices in memory-based decisions. Issue 10 (25th November 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dummel, Sebastian; Rummel, Jan
• Is Part Of: Memory. Volume 24:Issue 10(2016)
• Page Start: 1435
• Page End: 1443
• Publication Date: 2016-11-25
• Subjects: Decision-making -- memory-based decisions -- take-the-best strategy -- evidence accumulation -- parallel constraint satisfaction; Memory -- Periodicals; 153.1205
• DOI: 10.1080/09658211.2015.1117642
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0965-8211

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Take-the-best (TTB) is a decision strategy according to which attributes about choice options are sequentially processed in descending order of validity, and attribute processing is stopped once an attribute discriminates between options. Consequently, TTB-decisions rely on only one, the best discriminating, attribute, and lower-valid attributes need not be processed because they are TTB-irrelevant. Recent research suggests, however, that when attribute information is visually present during decision-making, TTB-irrelevant attributes are processed and integrated into decisions nonetheless. To examine whether TTB-irrelevant attributes are retrieved and integrated when decisions are made memory-based, we tested whether the consistency of a TTB-irrelevant attribute affects TTB-users' decision behaviour in a memory-based decision task. Participants first learned attribute configurations of several options. Afterwards, they made several decisions between two of the options, and we manipulated conflict between the second-best attribute and the TTB-decision. We assessed participants' decision confidence and the proportion of TTB-inconsistent choices. According to TTB, TTB-irrelevant attributes should not affect confidence and choices, because these attributes should not be retrieved. Results showed, however, that TTB-users were less confident and made more TTB-inconsistent choices when TTB-irrelevant information was in conflict with the TTB-decision than when it was not, suggesting that TTB-users retrieved and integrated TTB-irrelevant information.