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Related Experiment Video

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The Innovation Arena: A Method for Comparing Innovative Problem-Solving Across Groups

The Innovation Arena: A Method for Comparing Innovative Problem-Solving Across Groups

Published on: May 13, 2022

An exploratory mindset reduces preference for prototypes and increases preference for novel exemplars.

Jochim Hansen¹, Sascha Topolinski

¹New York University, New York, NY, USA. jochim.hansen@nyu.edu

Cognition & Emotion

|May 7, 2011

Summary

Inducing an exploratory mindset reverses the typical preference for familiar prototypes. Participants exploring novel category exemplars showed increased attractiveness ratings, challenging established prototypicality effects.

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Area of Science:

Cognitive Psychology
Perception Science

Background:

Prior research indicates a preference for familiar prototypes over novel exemplars.
Familiarity and prototypicality are key factors influencing preference and attractiveness judgments.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate if an exploratory mindset can reverse the established prototypicality effect.
To examine the influence of induced mindsets on attractiveness ratings of familiar and novel category representations.

Main Methods:

Participants rated the attractiveness of dot patterns representing prototypes and exemplars of familiar and novel categories.
An exploratory mindset was induced by framing stimuli as 'stars' versus 'peas' (control condition).

Main Results:

Participants in the exploratory condition preferred novel category exemplars, reversing the classical prototypicality effect.
Participants in the control condition exhibited the typical preference for familiar prototypes.

Conclusions:

An exploratory mindset can significantly alter preference judgments, overriding familiarity and prototypicality biases.
Mindsets play a crucial role in shaping perceptions of attractiveness and category representation.