The dimensional effects of missing information on choice processing

Abstract

This paper demonstrates that choice processing may be different in missing information situations than in full information situations depending on whether inferences are used to fill in missing values and the overlap of the missing information itself. It is shown that when individuals do not form inferences to fill in missing values, fewer full attribute-based processes and more processes which accommodate for missing attribute values, alternative-based or given-dimension attribute-based, are used. It is also shown that when a processing shift due to missing information does occur, the overlap of the missing values will affect the type of shift that takes place. If overlap is high, a shift to given-dimension attribute-based processing is more likely, and when overlap is low, a shift to alternative-based processing is more likely. When individuals do form inferences to fill in missing values, processing is more similar to that in full information situations. Finally, it is shown that individuals will often partially fill in missing information, thus moderating the proposed effects.

Aggregating conclusive and inconclusive information: Data and a model based on the assessment of threat

“…The lack of a dilution effect in the judgments of the naval officers may therefore reflect their highly trained personal and organizational motivations to defend against potential adversaries. Of course this suggestion is speculative and will require examination in a more naturalistic, high fidelity training environment, perhaps comparing verbal protocol (e.g., Burke, 1995;Kühberger & Huber, 1998), process tracing (Körner et al, 2007), and direct assessment methodologies. …”

Naïve Groups Can Solve the Hidden-Profile Problem

“…A major advantage of common cues is that they facilitate information processing by allowing for more direct comparison of alternatives than unique cues (e.g., Burke, 1995;Gigerenzer, Todd, & the ABC Research Group, 1999;Payne, Bettman, & Johnson, 1988). Reimer et al (2007) set up a task environment in which a hidden profile could be detected if groups applied a cue-based strategy by looking for a cue or attribute that discriminates between alternatives.…”

Alternative Discounting Beyond Missing Information: Effects of Confidence in Evaluating

“…Based on the above discussion, a pilot study using secondary data collected for a previous MI process tracing experiment (Burke 1995) was conducted. These secondary data were used because they were collected in an experiment in which MI was manipulated in a context similar to that in which the discounting effect has most commonly been observed.…”

“…The two product categories were chosen based on pretests from the same population as used in the full experiment. The product categories were similar to one another in many ways (durable, household, electrical products) and had been used in similar past studies that manipulated MI and familiarity (Burke 1995(Burke , 1996Simmons and Leonard 1990;Simmons and Lynch 1991).…”