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Inefficient prioritization of task-relevant attributes during instrumental information demand

Author

Listed:
  • Isabella Rischall

    (Columbia University
    Columbia University)

  • Laura Hunter

    (Columbia University
    Columbia University)

  • Greg Jensen

    (Columbia University
    Columbia University
    Reed College)

  • Jacqueline Gottlieb

    (Columbia University
    Columbia University
    Columbia University)

Abstract

In natural settings, people evaluate complex multi-attribute situations and decide which attribute to request information about. Little is known about how people make this selection and specifically, how they identify individual observations that best predict the value of a multi-attribute situation. Here show that, in a simple task of information demand, participants inefficiently query attributes that have high individual value but are relatively uninformative about a total payoff. This inefficiency is robust in two instrumental conditions in which gathering less informative observations leads to significantly lower rewards. Across individuals, variations in the sensitivity to informativeness is associated with personality metrics, showing negative associations with extraversion and thrill seeking and positive associations with stress tolerance and need for cognition. Thus, people select informative queries using sub-optimal strategies that are associated with personality traits and influence consequential choices.

Suggested Citation

  • Isabella Rischall & Laura Hunter & Greg Jensen & Jacqueline Gottlieb, 2023. "Inefficient prioritization of task-relevant attributes during instrumental information demand," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-12, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:14:y:2023:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-023-38821-x
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-38821-x
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