Numeric Conversions Ameliorate the Framing Effect

People make judgments and decisions differently depending on whether information that prompts these judgments or decisions is presented in a positive or negative light. This bias is known as the framing effect. Previous research has shown that high numeracy, the ability to understand simple mathematical and probabilistic concepts, makes such framing effects smaller, at least when numbers are involved. Here, we test the possibility that this effect of numeracy occurs because the highly numerate convert information presented in one frame to the other frame. We test the conversions by assessing memory for the frame that was not presented after the judgment has been made. We find that memories of the more numerate (as opposed to the less numerate) are consistent with such conversions, and such memories are associated with smaller framing effects. However these results are moderated by a number of factors: whether the percentage is round or precise, what type of judgment is being made, and how the framing effect is measured. We conclude that the conversions may explain at least a part of the relation between numeracy and framing. Further research is necessary to determine why the roundness of the percentage and the judgment being made affect our results.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Arts

Level thesis:degree_level

masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Psychology

Grantor dc:publisher

The Ohio State University

Year dc:date

2013

Author dc:creator

• Sinayev, Aleksandr

Contributors dc:contributor

• Peters, Ellen

• Psychology
• Cognitive Psychology
• Numeracy
• Conversions
• Framing Effect
• Attribute Framing
• Individual Differences
• Mediation
• Judgment and Decision Making
• Biases
• Round vs. Precise
• Crossed Random Effects

Statement dc:rights

• unrestricted
• This thesis or dissertation is protected by copyright: some rights reserved. It is licensed for use under a Creative Commons license. Specific terms and permissions are available from this document's record in the OhioLINK ETD Center.

Language dc:language

English

Repository record dc:identifier

http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1364928182

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:etd.ohiolink.edu:osu1364928182