This thesis investigated the influence of mindset on the accuracy and bias of relationship evaluations. Because deliberation about important decisions is a time when people are more realistic and impartial in processing information about themselves and the world, a deliberative mindset was expected to increase the predictive accuracy of relationship appraisals compared to an implemental mindset. Four studies using different methodologies tested this hypothesis. In Study 1, relationship mindset assessed via content coding interacted with commitment in predicting the survival of the relationship 4 months later. In Study 2, mindset assessed via closed questions about academic goals interacted with explicit forecasts in predicting the survival of the relationship 9 months later. In studies 3 and 4, an experimental manipulation of mindset interacted with explicit forecasts or relationship assessments of relationship constructs in predicting relationship survival 6 months later. Overall, a deliberative mindset increased the accuracy of relationship predictions and the validity of relationship constructs in predicting the dissolution of a relationship compared to an implemental mindset. Importantly, deliberatives were not more pessimistic than were implementals; they were more realistic. Nonetheless, a deliberative mindset about an important goal in the relationship can be threatening. Previous work found that boosting perceptions of partner superiority is one way to cope with such threat (Gagne & Lydon, 2001, Study 1). Study 5 further showed that participants in a deliberative mindset boosted their perceptions of partner superiority only if they were sufficiently committed to their relationships. Those in an implemental mindset boosted their perceptions of partner superiority irrespective of their commitment level. In sum, a deliberative mindset about the relationship increases the accuracy of evaluations serving epistemic needs (i.e., relationship predictions) while n

Women with anorexia nervosa tend to be ambivalent about change and resistant to treatment. A growing number of researchers suggest that this ambivalence must be targeted early on, before attempting to engage clients in action-oriented treatment that focuses on immediate symptom reduction. However, in order to appropriately address client ambivalence, it must be accurately evaluated with empirically validated instruments. The purpose of this thesis was to develop and validate a Decisional Balance (DB) measure of readiness for change in anorexia nervosa. In Study 1, 246 women with anorexia nervosa completed the DB, and a subset completed the DB again one week later. Unlike traditional decisional balance measures that have two factor (pro-con) solutions, factor analytic techniques indicated that a three factor solution provided the best fit for the DB data in this study. These factors included general negative consequences of the disorder (Burdens), valued achievements such as self-control, being very thin, and striving for perfection (Benefits), and using anorexia nervosa as a means for avoiding aversive emotions, challenges, and responsibilities (Avoidance Coping). The DB demonstrated good internal consistency and test-retest stability. In study 2, 80 women with anorexia nervosa completed the DB, along with other measures of readiness for change, as well as measures unrelated to readiness. Support was found for both convergent and divergent validity. Finally, in study 3, 80 women with anorexia nervosa completed the DB, and a measure of anticipated difficulty completing symptom-challenging recovery activities. In addition, participants attempted to complete three recovery activities in the week following initial assessment. Criterion validity was not well supported, most likely because the concurrent and predictive validity measures focused on behavior change, when non-behavioral measures may have been more appropriate. Overall, the results suggest that the DB for anorexia nervosa is a measure of awareness or insight about the functions of this disorder. The theoretical and clinical implications of this research are reviewed and directions for future investigations are proposed. / Arts, Faculty of / Psychology, Department of / Graduate

This study attempted to replicate and extend the study of Doherty, Mynatt, Tweney, and Schiavo (1979), which introduced what is here called the Bayesian conditionals selection paradigm. The present study used this paradigm (and a script similar to that used by Doherty et al.) to explore confirmation bias and related errors that can appear in both search and integration in probability revision. Despite selection differences and weak manipulations, this study provided information relevant to four important questions. First, by asking participants to estimate the values of the conditional probabilities they did not learn, this study was able to examine the use of "intuitive conditionals". This study found evidence that participants used intuitive conditionals and that their intuitive conditionals were affected by the size of the actual conditionals. Second, by examining both phases in the same study, this study became the first to look for inter-phase interactions. A strong correlation was found between the use of focal search strategies and focal integration strategies (r=.81, p

The design of information systems to support crisis management can be improved when more is known about the ways in which people process information under time pressure. A laboratory experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of time pressure on decision behavior. The decision task required the subjects to use a computerized information display to search for information under time pressure. When the time limit for searching expired, the subjects were required to make a decision. The decision task type, choice or judgment, and three separate information display formats were also manipulated. A total of 144 student subjects were randomly assigned to the resulting six combinations of task/display treatments. Each subject performed the decision task at three levels of time pressure. Dependent measures included information search strategy, decision strategy, decision consistency, and decision quality. Analyses of the results suggest that time pressure had no effect on the information search strategy or the decision strategy. For five of the six task/display groups, time pressure was inversely related to consistency and quality. One group exhibited an inverted U relationship between time pressure and consistency. Display format had an effect on information search strategy. Task type had an effect on both consistency and quality; the performances of the choice groups were superior to those of the judgment groups. The implications of these findings with respect to the design of information systems is discussed.

The current study investigated the interpretation of an agent's actions under the influence of external forces. Participants viewed a series of videos of an agent making a varying series of decisions and forced behaviors and were asked to predict future behavior. Firstly, we found evidence that suggests that perceivers make inferences about an agent that once they have shown a preference toward an object, they will persist with those initial desires, despite, external forces leading them to a different object. Secondly, we found evidence that suggests that submitting to a coerced choice will be perceived as reflecting a conflicting combination of pragmatic behavioral choice (due to concession to external forces) and maintenance of original desires, or, simply put, perceivers infer multiple underlying intentions in others. / by Brian Vail. / Thesis (M.A.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2012. / Includes bibliography. / Electronic reproduction. Boca Raton, Fla., 2012. Mode of access: World Wide Web.

Researchers have traditionally focused on the dimensions of valence and arousal when studying how affect, mood and emotions influence consumer decision-making processes. As a result, it was concluded that negative emotions were associated with more systematic processing and positive emotions were related to more heuristic processing (Tiedens and Linton, 2001). However, recent studies of the effects of emotions on consumer decision-making have shown that emotions with the same valence and arousal level can lead to different response behaviours (Lerner and Keltner, 2000; Ragunathan and Pham, 1999; Tiedens and Linton, 2001; Yi and Baumgartner, 2004). Cognitive appraisals have been offered as an avenue for explaining these differences (Bagozzi, Gopinath and Nyer, 1999; Ruth, Brunel and Otnes, 2002; Tiedens and Linton, 2001); however, a comprehensive theory of their effects on decision-making has yet to emerge. This three study research program tests whether the cognitive appraisals of outcome desirability and agency combine to offer a more comprehensive explanation of emotion’s effect on consumer decision-making processes than has been offered to date. Outcome desirability and agency are proposed to influence decision-making processes both directly and through the mediating influence of emotions. Results show that emotions mediate relationships between outcome desirability and agency appraisals and consumer decision-making processes. There is some evidence to suggest that agency driven emotions differentially influence consumer decision-making processes and outcomes. Further study is needed to confirm how these complex interactions work together to drive decision-making behaviours.

Sexual arousal is likely an important situational factor in date rape. Research shows that sexual arousal increases self-reported willingness to engage in sexually aggressive behaviour. Chapter One reviews the situational, perpetrator, and victim characteristics of date rape. Chapter Two describes an experiment that examined the effect of sexual arousal on measures of decision-making, including Risky Choice Task, Balloon Analogue Risk Task, Future Discounting, and on a measure of Viewing Time. Participants were 20 heterosexual men and 22 heterosexual women 18 to 25 years old. Results revealed that sexually aroused women preferred higher variance options compared to women who were not, and the opposite was observed for men. No other significant effects were observed. Chapter Three describes Experiment 2 which included another neutral condition and a measure of sexual decision-making. Results revealed no effect of condition on behavioural or sexual decision-making, nor on viewing times. Chapter Four provides a general discussion and directions for future research. / ix, 156 leaves; 29 cm

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Researchers have traditionally focused on the dimensions of valence and arousal when studying how affect, mood and emotions influence consumer decision-making processes. As a result, it was concluded that negative emotions were associated with more systematic processing and positive emotions were related to more heuristic processing (Tiedens and Linton, 2001). However, recent studies of the effects of emotions on consumer decision-making have shown that emotions with the same valence and arousal level can lead to different response behaviours (Lerner and Keltner, 2000; Ragunathan and Pham, 1999; Tiedens and Linton, 2001; Yi and Baumgartner, 2004). Cognitive appraisals have been offered as an avenue for explaining these differences (Bagozzi, Gopinath and Nyer, 1999; Ruth, Brunel and Otnes, 2002; Tiedens and Linton, 2001); however, a comprehensive theory of their effects on decision-making has yet to emerge. This three study research program tests whether the cognitive appraisals of outcome desirability and agency combine to offer a more comprehensive explanation of emotion’s effect on consumer decision-making processes than has been offered to date. Outcome desirability and agency are proposed to influence decision-making processes both directly and through the mediating influence of emotions. Results show that emotions mediate relationships between outcome desirability and agency appraisals and consumer decision-making processes. There is some evidence to suggest that agency driven emotions differentially influence consumer decision-making processes and outcomes. Further study is needed to confirm how these complex interactions work together to drive decision-making behaviours.

M.A. (Psychology) / Please refer to full text to view abstract