TY - JOUR
T1 - The Differential Impact of Abstract vs. Concrete Information on Decisions
AU - Borgida, Eugene
AU - Nisbett, Richard E.
PY - 1977/9
Y1 - 1977/9
N2 - Recent findings from research on judgment and attribution processes indicate that people regard base rate data, i.e., statistical summaries of populations, as if they were uninformative. It is suggested that base rate information lacks impact because of its abstract, pallid nature. In a demonstration of the inefficacy of abstract information, undergraduates were given mean course evaluations based on ratings of students who previously took the courses. This information had little impact on course choices. In contrast, brief, face‐to‐face comments about the courses had a substantial impact on course choices. The results suggest that information is utilized in proportion to its vividness.
AB - Recent findings from research on judgment and attribution processes indicate that people regard base rate data, i.e., statistical summaries of populations, as if they were uninformative. It is suggested that base rate information lacks impact because of its abstract, pallid nature. In a demonstration of the inefficacy of abstract information, undergraduates were given mean course evaluations based on ratings of students who previously took the courses. This information had little impact on course choices. In contrast, brief, face‐to‐face comments about the courses had a substantial impact on course choices. The results suggest that information is utilized in proportion to its vividness.
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U2 - 10.1111/j.1559-1816.1977.tb00750.x
DO - 10.1111/j.1559-1816.1977.tb00750.x
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:84986346822
SN - 0021-9029
VL - 7
SP - 258
EP - 271
JO - Journal of Applied Social Psychology
JF - Journal of Applied Social Psychology
IS - 3
ER -