Perceptions of Correlations Between Multiple Cues

"Previous research has shown that subjects assess inaccurately correlations between discrete variables. A set of experiments was designed to extend this scenario to the assessment of a third non-focal correlation in a trivariate distribution when the first two focal correlations are provided. Four experiments were designed to: (1) assess the perception of the correlation between cues when subjects are not explicitly shown the cues in a pairwise situation, (2) assess the perception of the correlation between cues when given in a pairwise scenario, (3) assess the perception of the correlation between cues in a pairwise scenario where content is present, and (4) assess the perception of the correlation between cues when altering the marginal frequency of the criterion. Results indicate that subjects generally underestimate both the focal and non-focal correlations. An overestimation of the correlation can be induced when the focal correlation is large and the marginal frequency favors ""Large"" values of the criterion. A predictive model was fit to the results, indicating that prediction of the non-focal correlation is assessed not by the largest focal correlation, as expected, but by the focal correlation estimated closest to 0."

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Psychology

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2015

Author dc:creator

• Templin, Sara Elizabeth

Contributors dc:contributor

• Budescu, David V.

• Psychology, Experimental

Language dc:language

eng

Identifier

(MiAaPQ)AAI3250333

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/82124