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What counts as a decision? Predictors of perceived decision making
1Psychology Department, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854-8020, USA. gbc@rci.rutgers.edu
Psychonomic Bulletin & Review
|November 10, 2001
Summary
Laypeople define decisions by thoughtful, intentional actions, not just by having alternatives or consequences. This contrasts with formal decision theory, highlighting the importance of perceived deliberation in everyday decision-making concepts.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Decision Science
Background:
- Understanding lay perceptions of decision-making is crucial for fields like psychology and behavioral economics.
- Existing decision theory often focuses on rational choice, which may not align with everyday understandings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how non-experts conceptualize what constitutes a decision.
- To compare lay perceptions of decision-making with established decision theory components.
Main Methods:
- Eighty-six participants evaluated 10 scenarios depicting clear decisions, non-decisions, or ambiguous actions.
- Participants rated each scenario on whether a decision was made and assessed six other attributes.
Main Results:
- Scenarios were perceived as decisions when actors exhibited significant thought and avoided reflexive actions.
- Consideration of consequences and available alternatives moderately correlated with decision ratings.
- Self-control issues and physiological drives had minimal impact on lay decision ratings.
Conclusions:
- Lay conceptualizations of decisions emphasize intentionality and cognitive effort over theoretical components like alternatives.
- Everyday decision-making definitions prioritize the actor's mental process rather than solely the structural elements of choice.