Factors affecting subjective estimates of magnitude: when is 9 > 221?
112 undergraduates separately judged the size of the numbers 9 then 221 or 221 then 9 on a 10-point scale or on a continuous line that were both anchored only at the extremes by "very, very small" and "very, very large." Replicating the 1999 Birnbaum study, 9 was given a higher rating than 221 when the numbers were judged first by different people on the numerical scale. However, 9 was given a similar or smaller rating than 221 in the other conditions. The results are discussed in terms of context effects.
McKelvie
S J
SJ
Department of Psychology, Bishop's University, Lennoxville, Québec, Canada. smckelvi@ubishops.ca
D001288:Attention; D006801:Humans; D007206:Individuality; D007600:Judgment; D011340:Problem Solving; D012718:Set, Psychology