Age differences in decision making: a process methodology for examining strategic information processing.
This study explored the use of process tracing techniques in examining the decision-making processes of older and younger adults. Thirty-six college-age and thirty-six retirement-age participants decided which one of six cars they would purchase on the basis of computer-accessed data. They provided information search protocols. Results indicate that total time to reach a decision did not differ according to age. However, retirement-age participants used less information, spent more time viewing, and re-viewed fewer bits of information than college-age participants. Information search patterns differed markedly between age groups. Patterns of retirement-age adults indicated their use of noncompensatory decision rules which, according to decision-making literature (Payne, 1976), reduce cognitive processing demands. The patterns of the college-age adults indicated their use of compensatory decision rules, which have higher processing demands.
Johnson
M M
MM
Department of Behavioral Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington 40536-0086.
D000293:Adolescent; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology*; D001336:Automobiles; D003657:Decision Making / Q000502:physiology*; D003661:Decision Support Techniques; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007256:Information Systems; D008297:Male; D008606:Mental Processes / Q000502:physiology*; D013997:Time Factors