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The Relative Success of Recognition‐Based Inference in Multichoice Decisions
Author(s) -
McCloy Rachel,
Beaman C. Philip,
Smith Philip T.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
cognitive science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.498
H-Index - 114
eISSN - 1551-6709
pISSN - 0364-0213
DOI - 10.1080/03640210802152319
Subject(s) - counterintuitive , two alternative forced choice , inference , task (project management) , range (aeronautics) , cognitive psychology , psychology , social psychology , artificial intelligence , computer science , economics , epistemology , philosophy , materials science , management , composite material
Abstract The utility of an “ecologically rational” recognition‐based decision rule in multichoice decision problems is analyzed, varying the type of judgment required (greater or lesser). The maximum size and range of a counterintuitive advantage associated with recognition‐based judgment (the “less‐is‐more effect”) is identified for a range of cue validity values. Greater ranges of the less‐is‐more effect occur when participants are asked which is the greatest of m choices ( m > 2) than which is the least. Less‐is‐more effects also have greater range for larger values of m . This implies that the classic two‐alternative forced choice task, as studied by Goldstein and Gigerenzer (2002), may not be the most appropriate test case for less‐is‐more effects.