ERIC Number: EJ951142
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2012-Feb
Pages: 5
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0010-0277
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Relatively Certain! Comparative Thinking Reduces Uncertainty
Mussweiler, Thomas; Posten, Ann-Christin
Cognition, v122 n2 p236-240 Feb 2012
Comparison is one of the most ubiquitous and versatile mechanisms in human information processing. Previous research demonstrates that one consequence of comparative thinking is increased judgmental efficiency: Comparison allows for quicker judgments without a loss in accuracy. We hypothesised that a second potential consequence of comparative thinking is reduced judgmental uncertainty. We examined this possibility in three experiments using three different domains of judgment and three different measures of uncertainty. Results consistently demonstrate that procedurally priming participants to rely more heavily on comparative thinking during judgment induces them to feel more certain about their judgment. (Contains 1 table and 1 supplementary data.)
Descriptors: Priming, Cognitive Processes, Information Processing, Thinking Skills, Comparative Analysis, Experiments, Evaluation Methods, Measures (Individuals), Decision Making
Elsevier. 6277 Sea Harbor Drive, Orlando, FL 32887-4800. Tel: 877-839-7126; Tel: 407-345-4020; Fax: 407-363-1354; e-mail: usjcs@elsevier.com; Web site: http://www.elsevier.com
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A