ERIC Number: EJ1141022
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2017-May
Pages: 26
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0364-0213
EISSN: N/A
Memory-Based Simple Heuristics as Attribute Substitution: Competitive Tests of Binary Choice Inference Models
Honda, Hidehito; Matsuka, Toshihiko; Ueda, Kazuhiro
Cognitive Science, v41 suppl 5 p1093-1118 May 2017
Some researchers on binary choice inference have argued that people make inferences based on simple heuristics, such as recognition, fluency, or familiarity. Others have argued that people make inferences based on available knowledge. To examine the boundary between heuristic and knowledge usage, we examine binary choice inference processes in terms of attribute substitution in heuristic use (Kahneman & Frederick, 2005). In this framework, it is predicted that people will rely on heuristic or knowledge-based inference depending on the subjective difficulty of the inference task. We conducted competitive tests of binary choice inference models representing simple heuristics (fluency and familiarity heuristics) and knowledge-based inference models. We found that a simple heuristic model (especially a familiarity heuristic model) explained inference patterns for subjectively difficult inference tasks, and that a knowledge-based inference model explained subjectively easy inference tasks. These results were consistent with the predictions of the attribute substitution framework. Issues on usage of simple heuristics and psychological processes are discussed.
Descriptors: Memory, Heuristics, Inferences, Decision Making, Difficulty Level, Models, Recognition (Psychology), Familiarity, Prediction, Cognitive Processes, Logical Thinking, Attribution Theory
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
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