Journal article
Biased calculations: Numeric anchors influence answers to math equations
Judgment and decision making, Vol.6(2), pp.139-146
02/01/2011
Abstract
People must often perform calculations in order to produce a numeric estimate (e.g., a grocery-store shopper estimating the total price of his or her shopping cart contents). The current studies were designed to test whether estimates based on calculations are influenced by comparisons with irrelevant anchors. Previous research has demonstrated that estimates across a wide range of contexts assimilate toward anchors, but none has examined estimates based on calculations. In two studies, we had participants compare the answers to math problems with anchors. In both studies, participants' estimates assimilated toward the anchor values. This effect was moderated by time limit such that the anchoring effects were larger when the participants' ability to engage in calculations was limited by a restrictive time limit.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Biased calculations: Numeric anchors influence answers to math equations
- Creators
- Andrew R. SmithPaul D. Windschitl
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Judgment and decision making, Vol.6(2), pp.139-146
- Publisher
- Society for Judgment and Decision Making
- ISSN
- 1930-2975
- eISSN
- 1930-2975
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 02/01/2011
- Academic Unit
- Psychological and Brain Sciences
- Record Identifier
- 9984214746902771
Metrics
8 Record Views