Psychology Faculty Publications
Title
Does Unconscious Thought Outperform Conscious Thought On Complex Decisions? A Further Examination
Document Type
Article
Abstract
Two experiments examined the benefits of unconscious thought on complex decisions (Dijksterhuis, 2004). Experiment 1 attempted to replicate and extend past research by examining the effect of providing reasons prior to rating the options. Results indicated no significant differences between the conditions. Experiment 2 attempted to replicate the findings of Dijksterhuis, Bos, Nordgren, and van Baaren (2006) and determine if a memory aid could overcome the limitations of conscious thought on complex tasks. Results revealed that a memory aid improved decisions compared to the conscious thought condition. Participants in the unconscious thought condition did not perform significantly better than did participants in the conscious thought condition.
Repository Citation
Withrow, Scott Andrew and Thorsteinson, Todd J., "Does Unconscious Thought Outperform Conscious Thought On Complex Decisions? A Further Examination" (2009). Psychology Faculty Publications. 5.
https://scholarworks.bgsu.edu/psych_pub/5
Publication Date
4-2009
Publication Title
Judgment and Decision Making Journal
Publisher
Social Judgment & Decision Making
Start Page No.
235
End Page No.
247