Knowledge-based information acquisition: norms and the functions of consensus information

Area of Science:

• Social psychology
• Cognitive psychology
• Attribution theory

Background:

• Mill's method of difference is a key principle in causal attribution.
• The method suggests using consensus information for stimulus attributions and distinctiveness information for person attributions.
• Empirical studies show a preference for distinctiveness information in person attributions and consensus information in stimulus attributions, contradicting the method.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explain the discrepancy between Mill's method of difference and observed information acquisition preferences.
• To differentiate the functions of consensus and distinctiveness information in causal reasoning.
• To identify conditions under which consensus information is sought.

Main Methods:

• Four information acquisition experiments were conducted.
• Participants' information-seeking behaviors were analyzed.
• The study examined the evaluative, contrastive, and corroborative functions of consensus and distinctiveness information.

Main Results:

• Subjects show a preference for distinctiveness information when making attributions about a person.
• Subjects prefer consensus information when making attributions about a stimulus.
• The seeking of consensus information is contingent on its relevance and the individual's presupposed knowledge of behavioral norms.

Conclusions:

• The observed preferences in information acquisition are explained by the distinct functions of consensus and distinctiveness information.
• Individuals seek consensus information pragmatically, based on relevance and existing knowledge.
• The findings offer a nuanced understanding of causal attribution processes beyond the strict application of Mill's method.