Semester
Spring
Date of Graduation
2007
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Type
MS
College
Eberly College of Arts and Sciences
Department
Psychology
Committee Chair
Julie H. Patrick.
Abstract
Data from 49 younger adults with a mean age of 20.8 years old was used to examine the relations among cognitive abilities, information search strategies, and decision quality. Participants completed computerized relocation tasks for hypothetical individuals. A multiple linear regression was used to test the relations among the cognitive components fluid ability (Gf), crystallized ability (Gc), working memory (WM) and decision quality. A multiple linear regression was used to test the relations among the search strategies order of information searched, amount of information searched, search selectivity, and decision quality. A hierarchical regression was used to test the relations among cognitive abilities and the search strategies. A novel affective component was also added to the decision task. Neither of the three cognitive variables, nor the three search strategy variables significantly accounted for decision quality. However, the amount of affective information viewed related to higher quality decisions. Individuals who viewed the affective information were more likely to make good decisions. Results extend prior decision-making research with the addition of the affective information. Future researchers may be able to develop more accurate models of decision making based on this ecologically valid affective information.
Recommended Citation
Stafford, Beth A., "Cognitive components, information search processes, and outcomes in a decision making task" (2007). Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports. 2524.
https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/etd/2524