title: Centrality preferences in choices among similar options.
abstract: Three explanations were explored for the finding that people prefer the middle option rather than the extremes when choosing from an array of similar options. In Study 1, 68% chose the middle item from a set of three highlighters and three surveys, whereas 32% chose an item from either end, p < .0001. In Study 2, 71% selected the middle chair from a row of three chairs that were either all empty, or had a backpack occupying either one of the two end chairs, p < .0001. These results support a minimal mental effort principle rather than a preference for symmetry rule. In Study 3, 54.2% recalled more graphic items from the center poster of a 3-poster collage, whereas 31.3% and 14.5% recalled more items from the left and right posters, respectively, p < .004. These findings lend additional support to a focus of attention explanation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, California State University, Northridge 91330-8255, USA. jerry.shaw@csun.edu
authors.forename: J I
authors.initials: JI
authors.lastname: Shaw
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Bergen
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Gallagher
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001288:Attention; D002755:Choice Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011939:Mental Recall