How can we increase stability in choices? The role of confidence
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2018-07-01
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en
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Abstract
In this study, we examined how we can increase the consistency by which people
make choices. Whether people will choose an item again after making an initial choice is
determined by the degree of confidence in the outcome of the initial choice (Folke et al.,
2016). To date, studies have only tested the effects of confidence in correlational designs.
The current research attempted to experimentally increase confidence in the outcome of
choices and thereby stability of choices. We hypothesized confidence could be increased by
increasing explicit memory for the choices. In two preregistered lab studies (n = 45 and
n = 42) participants decided between same-value choice pairs of food items for
consumption. As a manipulation, participants were asked to recall the outcomes of their
choices for some of the pairs. This was done to increase explicit memory for the outcome of
the choice. Afterwards, they rated confidence in the outcome of their choices. Next, they
received each choice pair again four times to measure choice stability. The memory
manipulation failed to work in the first experiment, but in the second experiment, this
manipulation was successful. Results of the second experiment indicated that participants
were more confident in choices they had recalled previously and were also more likely to
repeat these choices. This effect of choice recall on stability was mediated by choice
confidence. These findings signify that choice confidence is an important determinant of
choice stability, and that an intervention focused on establishing strong memory
representations for initial choices can increase choice stability via choice confidence.
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Faculteit der Sociale Wetenschappen