Take-the-best and the influence of decision-inconsistent attributes on decision confidence and choices in memory-based decisions

Take-the-best (TTB) is a decision strategy according to which attributes about choice options are sequentially processed in descending order of validity, and attribute processing is stopped once an attribute discriminates between options. Consequently, TTB-decisions rely on only one, the best discriminating, attribute, and lower-valid attributes need not be processed because they are TTB-irrelevant. Recent research suggests, however, that when attribute information is visually present during decision-making, TTB-irrelevant attributes are processed and integrated into decisions nonetheless. To examine whether TTB-irrelevant attributes are retrieved and integrated when decisions are made memory-based, we tested whether the consistency of a TTB-irrelevant attribute affects TTB-users’ decision behaviour in a memory-based decision task. Participants first learned attribute configurations of several options. Afterwards, they made several decisions between two of the options, and we manipulated conflict between the second-best attribute and the TTB-decision. We assessed participants’ decision confidence and the proportion of TTB-inconsistent choices. According to TTB, TTB-irrelevant attributes should not affect confidence and choices, because these attributes should not be retrieved. Results showed, however, that TTB-users were less confident and made more TTB-inconsistent choices when TTB-irrelevant information was in conflict with the TTB-decision than when it was not, suggesting that TTB-users retrieved and integrated TTB-irrelevant information.     

Search/ing for missing people: Families living with ambiguous absence

Families of missing people are often understood as inhabiting a particular space of ambiguity, captured in the phrase ‘living in limbo’ (Holmes, 2008). To explore this uncertain ground, we interviewed 25 family members to consider how human absence is acted upon and not just felt within this space ‘in between’ grief and loss (Wayland, 2007). In the paper, we represent families as active agents in spatial stories of ‘living in limbo’, and we provide insights into the diverse strategies of search/ing (technical, physical and emotional) in which they engage to locate either their missing member or news of them. Responses to absence are shown to be intimately bound up with unstable spatial knowledges of the missing person and emotional actions that are subject to change over time. We suggest that practices of search are not just locative actions, but act as transformative processes providing insights into how families inhabit emotional dynamism and transition in response to the on-going ‘missing situation’ and ambiguous loss (Boss, 1999, 2013).     

多特征决策策略的信息搜索模式分析

决策策略的使用是不可见的内在过程 ,有效识别出决策者在信息整合时使用的策略对研究策略学习与转换、决策辅助与训练有重要意义。本文介绍了用过程追踪技术获取的信息搜索模式识别多特征决策策略的方法 ,即单步与多步跳转分析 ,并比较了两种方法的应用效果 ,讨论了跳转分析法的优点和局限。     

Learning and foraging efficiency in German cockroaches, Blattella germanica (L.) (Insecta: Dictyoptera)

We analysed, under laboratory test conditions, how German cockroach larvae oriented their outgoing foraging trip from their shelter. Our results stressed the importance of external factors, like availability and spatial distribution of food sources, in the choice of a foraging strategy within their home range. When food sources were randomly distributed, larvae adopted a random food search strategy. When food distribution was spatially predictable and reliable, cockroaches were able to relate the presence of food with a landmark during a 3-day training period and to develop an oriented search strategy. Cockroaches were able to associate learned spatial information about their home range to the presence of food resources and then to improve their foraging efficiency. However, conflict experiments revealed that detection of food odour overrode learned landmark cues. Received: 16 October 1999 / Accepted after revision: 18 July 2000     

小学儿童规则发现的类比迁移研究

本研究以小学儿童为被试,证实了在策略提示条件下解决规则发现(合取规则和析取规则)的类比问题时,任务难度和表面相似性是影响策略的迁移的重要因素,并且发现小学儿童的思维能力存在着较大的个体差异.他们在问题解决时主要使用单维检验策略,多数小学儿童缺乏较强的元认知监控.     

用户换位型思维的形成及对机会信念绩效的影响

用户换位型思维是创业者进行机会识别并应对市场竞争的重要因素,但已有研究忽视了其模式、形成机理及对机会信念绩效的影响。针对此问题,基于结构映射理论与注意力参与模型解构用户换位型思维模式,包括吸收式、归纳式、启发式和分析式;然后,从“个体-用户”双元视角探讨与用户有关的先验知识、灵活的角色导向、认知复杂性以及用户需求不确定性和碎片化等因素对用户换位型思维形成的正向影响;最后,以机会信念形成速度和创新性为绩效指标,阐释用户换位型思维模式对机会信念形成绩效的影响,并考察适应新的信息环境和调用自身知识结构的认知管理策略对用户换位型思维模式与机会信念形成绩效的调节作用。研究结论将丰富用户换位型思维的内涵,拓展结构映射理论与注意力参与模型的解释范围,也为指导创业者运用用户换位型思维去识别机会提供参考,对创业者思考与理解用户有重要意义。     

小学生形成合取概念的策略训练及其迁移效果

采用明确要求、策略讲授、讨论比较、练习巩固的方法,对小学四年级儿童形成合取概念的策略进行训练,结果发现：训练不仅能够促进儿童形成合取概念的能力发展,而且提高了他们的元认知水平,并在相关的问题解决中表现出能力的迁移。     

Attribute‐based differentiation of alternatives

An intermediate step is introduced to the dialogue decision process for decision analysis. Alternatives are refined after they have been generated within a strategy table but before they are subject to more detailed evaluation. Two or more judges create a subjective mapping from alternatives to attributes that will later be mapped to criteria. In strategy tables, each of the alternative strategies consists of a coherent set of choices made across several decisions that are to be coordinated. These strategic alternatives are modified so as to increase their differentiation in the attribute space, rather than in the decision space alone. When criteria weights are unknown, the best alternative from the modified set may be superior to the best alternative from the original set. Furthermore, analysis of the resulting alternatives may yield a better mapping of the value response surface for the action space, in the sense that this mapping leads to eventual construction of a higher value alternative. Results are reported for a consulting engagement incorporating the proposed step. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

大学生课堂笔记策略现状研究

采用现场研究和自编问卷来考察大学生课堂笔记学习策略的现状与特点。结果表明：（1）大学生都知晓课堂笔记的重要性,价值认知上不存在差异,但记笔记的具体行为存在着课程、性别和学科差异;（2）大学生记笔记的动机,主要是为了应付考试。但笔记利用率很低;（3）大学生记笔记的技术,大多采用传统做法,很少用到更主动概括、更利于认知发展的线性技术和矩阵技术,且文科、理科和艺术类学生没有差别;（4）女生在课堂笔记质量上的得分显著高于男生;（5）课堂笔记质量与学习成绩存在极其显著的正相关。     

工作－家庭冲突的前因、后果及干预策略

随着劳动力结构与工作特点的巨大变化,工作－家庭冲突问题日益突出。国内外研究主要从工作、家庭与个体三个层面对工作－家庭冲突的前因变量、后果变量及干预策略进行了深入探讨。前因变量主要包括工作与家庭层面的压力、特点,性别等;后果变量主要涉及个体的工作家庭满意感、组织承诺、离职和心身健康;干预策略涉及家庭友好政策和个体应对方式等。作者认为今后研究可以在工作－家庭冲突积极面、跨文化研究等方面进行突破