| Abstract: | Seven experiments examined how information used to screen options is used subsequently in evaluating the survivors before a choice of the best survivor is made and showed the following. (1) In general, information receiver early in the task had a smaller impact upon pre-choice evaluations of options than information received later, whether or not screening had taken place. (2) However, early information had virtually no impact upon pre-choice evaluations when various events partitioned the task into two distinct parts. This was called the ‘task-partitioning effect’. This effect was, however, labile and could be eliminated by repeating the early information at the time that the pre-choice evaluations were made. (3) In contrast, when the partitioning event consisted specifically of screening out unattractive options, early information had virtually no impact on evaluations and its repetition did not increase its use. This was called the ‘screening effect’. This effect was observed even when someone other than the subject carried out the screening. |
