Effects of Problem Uncertainty and Prior Arousal on Pre-Decisional Information Search

Abstract

Fifty-four undergraduate Ss at the University of Delaware were presented sequentially 10 decision problems. Prior to making a decision on a problem, S had the option of receiving up to five additional information items. Independent variables were the initial uncertainty of the decision problem and prior “emotional” arousal. Dependent measures were the number of information items taken, the utilization of time resources, and S's arousal level (GSR). Neither independent variable affected the amount of information acquisition prior to decision, but differences in problem uncertainty within the high uncertainty conditions were negatively related to information search ( r = -.706). Decision time increased linearly with problem uncertainty and decreased across sequential problems. In general, decision-making became more facile with increasing experience.