title: Information presentation format moderates the unconscious-thought effect: The role of recollection.
abstract: The unconscious-thought effect occurs when distraction improves complex decision-making. In two experiments using the unconscious-thought paradigm, we investigated the effect of presentation format of decision information (i) on memory for decision-relevant information and (ii) on the quality of decisions made after distraction, conscious deliberation or immediately. We used the process-dissociation procedure to measure recollection and familiarity. The two studies showed that presenting information blocked per criterion led participants to recollect more decision-relevant details compared to a presentation by option. Moreover, a Bayesian meta-analysis of the two studies provided strong evidence that conscious deliberation resulted in better decisions when the information was presented blocked per criterion and substantial evidence that distraction improved decision quality when the information was presented blocked per option. Finally, Study 2 revealed that the recollection of decision-relevant details mediated the effect of presentation format on decision quality in the deliberation condition. This suggests that recollection contributes to conscious deliberation efficacy.
authors.affiliation: a CLLE-LTC, Université de Toulouse Jean Jaurès , Toulouse Cedex 9 , France.
authors.forename: Marlène
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Abadie
authors.affiliation: b LAPSCO, Université Blaise Pascal Clermont-Ferrand , Clermont-Ferrand Cedex 1 , France.
authors.forename: Laurent
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Waroquier
authors.affiliation: c CLLE-LTC, Université de Toulouse Jean Jaurès , Toulouse Cedex 9 , France.
authors.forename: Patrice
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Terrier
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001288:Attention / Q000502:physiology; D003657:Decision Making / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory / Q000502:physiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D013850:Thinking / Q000502:physiology; D014473:Unconscious, Psychology; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Recollection; conscious thought; decision-making; process dissociation; unconscious-thought effect