Decision-making processes: sensitivity to sequentially experienced outcome probabilities.
A computerized sequential event sampling decision-making task was administered to 187 5- to 10-year-olds and adults Participants made a series of choices between alternatives that differed in win probability (Study 1) or win and loss probability (Study 2). Intuitive and more explicit measures were used. Study 1 revealed that, across ages, participants demonstrated intuitive sensitivity to probability; however, adult participants evidenced greater sensitivity than did children, and younger children failed to demonstrate more explicit understanding of probability. Study 2 also revealed that children were intuitively sensitive to probability; however, the inclusion of loss had limited impact on decision processes. These findings and their relevance to cognitive developmental theory are discussed.
Boyer
Ty W
TW
Department of Psychology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA. tboyer@uchicago.edu
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002755:Choice Behavior; D003118:Color Perception; D003210:Concept Formation; D003657:Decision Making; D003662:Decision Theory; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019545:Intuition; D007721:Knowledge of Results, Psychological; D008297:Male; D011337:Probability Learning; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D012054:Reinforcement, Psychology; D012691:Serial Learning