Selective exposure and decision framing: The impact of gain and loss framing on confirmatory information search after decisions

Journal article | Zeitschriftenartikel

When people make decisions, they often prefer to receive information that supports rather than conflicts with their decision. To date, this effect has mainly been investigated in the context of decisions about gains, whereas decisions about losses have received less attention. Based on Prospect Theory, we expected information search to be differently affected by whether people previously have decided about gains or losses. Three studies have revealed that selectivity of information search is stronger after gain-framed rather than after loss-framed decision problems. An investigation of the underlying psychological processes revealed that gain decisions are made with increased subjective decision certainty (i.e. they are easier and less effortful to make), which in turn systematically increases confirmatory information search.

Object Details

• Extent: Seite(n): 312-320
• Language: Englisch
• Notes: Status: Postprint; begutachtet (peer reviewed)

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 44(2)

Classification and Topics

• Subject: Psychologie ; Sozialpsychologie ; Entscheidung ; Informationsgewinnung ; Informationsverhalten ; Entscheidungsfindung

Contributors, Places and Time

• Event: Geistige Schöpfung
• (who): Fischer, Peter ; Jonas, Eva ; Frey, Dieter ; Kastenmüller, Andreas
• Event: Veröffentlichung
• (where): Niederlande
• (when): 2008

Further information

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jesp.2007.06.001
• URN: urn:nbn:de:0168-ssoar-215718
• Rights: GESIS - Leibniz-Institut für Sozialwissenschaften. Bibliothek Köln
• Last update: 21.06.2024, 4:27 PM CEST