TY - JOUR PY - 2008// TI - Gambles vs. quasi-realistic scenarios: expectations to find probability and risk-defusing information JO - Acta psychologica A1 - Huber, Oswald A1 - Huber, Odilo W. SP - 222 EP - 236 VL - 127 IS - 2 N2 - The paper investigates predecisional information search in risky decisions, specifically information concerning the probability of a negative outcome and whether a risk-defusing operator (RDO) is available. Experiment 1 (54 participants) tested the hypothesis that search for such information is triggered by expectations that it can be obtained in the situation. Cues for the availability of information were manipulated. It was predicted that cues mentioning possible information sources raise expectations and consequently increase search activity. Furthermore, gambles were expected to differ from other real world contexts, with lower expectations for RDOs and higher ones for probabilities. The Method of Active Information Search was employed. The number of questions asked about probability and RDOs in different conditions confirmed the hypotheses. Experiment 2 (36 participants) ruled out the alternative interpretation that the expectation to actually find favorable probabilities or applicable RDOs respectively, rather than the expectation to obtain information, determined information search.
Language: en
LA - en SN - 0001-6918 UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.actpsy.2007.05.002 ID - ref1 ER -