Cognitive information processing theory was born in response to a realisation the traditional method of individual, one hour counselling appointments prevented many college students from receiving needed support for their career decision making. Frustrated by this lack of access to career services, researchers, theorists and practitioners came…

Theoretical/empirical foundations on which reaction times are measured and interpreted are discussed. Models of human information processing are reviewed. A hybrid procedure and analytical framework are introduced, using a speed-accuracy decomposition technique to analyze the intermediate products of rapid mental processes. Results invalidate many…

Experiment dealt with selecting political candidates. Results provide some limited support for the hypothesized importance of matching information presentation formats to decision-making strategies. However, the most effective pattern of matching turned out to be in the opposite direction of the prediction. Discusses methodological issues. (PD)

The conflict theory of decision making was examined by testing a conflict model which differentiated among three basic coping patterns in response to decisional conflict, i.e., defensive avoidance, panic, and vigilance. Male college students (N=53) were administered two decisional problems, "The Changing Work Procedures Case" and…

Analyzes the sequence of decisions students make in their transition to college, and finds six distinct time periods in the formal process that students go through. This decision-making process can be described using information management strategies of "prototype-matching" and "striving-for-future-selves." Argues colleges can use this information…