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A componential analysis of cognitive effort in choice

Publication ,  Journal Article
Bettman, JR; Johnson, EJ; Payne, JW
Published in: Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes
January 1, 1990

We examine the effort required to execute decision strategies and propose a set of elementary information processes (EIPs) (e.g., reads, additions, comparisons) as a common language for describing these strategies. Based upon these component processes, a model for measuring the effort required to execute a decision strategy is proposed which suggests that effort is a weighted sum of EIPs. We test several variants of this model by attempting to predict decision latencies and subjective reports of effort. The proposed weighted EIP model provides good predictions for response time and subjective effort, and estimates of the time and effort associated with each EIP seem plausible and consistent with those found in other cognitive tasks. The time and effort required by each EIP do not vary substantially across rules; however, there are significant individual differences. On balance, the EIP approach to conceptualizing and measuring the effort of executing a choice strategy receives strong support. © 1990.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes

DOI

ISSN

0749-5978

Publication Date

January 1, 1990

Volume

45

Issue

1

Start / End Page

111 / 139

Related Subject Headings

  • Social Psychology
  • 52 Psychology
  • 35 Commerce, management, tourism and services
  • 17 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences
  • 15 Commerce, Management, Tourism and Services
 

Citation

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Bettman, J. R., Johnson, E. J., & Payne, J. W. (1990). A componential analysis of cognitive effort in choice. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 45(1), 111–139. https://doi.org/10.1016/0749-5978(90)90007-V
Bettman, J. R., E. J. Johnson, and J. W. Payne. “A componential analysis of cognitive effort in choice.” Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes 45, no. 1 (January 1, 1990): 111–39. https://doi.org/10.1016/0749-5978(90)90007-V.
Bettman JR, Johnson EJ, Payne JW. A componential analysis of cognitive effort in choice. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes. 1990 Jan 1;45(1):111–39.
Bettman, J. R., et al. “A componential analysis of cognitive effort in choice.” Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, vol. 45, no. 1, Jan. 1990, pp. 111–39. Scopus, doi:10.1016/0749-5978(90)90007-V.
Bettman JR, Johnson EJ, Payne JW. A componential analysis of cognitive effort in choice. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes. 1990 Jan 1;45(1):111–139.
Journal cover image

Published In

Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes

DOI

ISSN

0749-5978

Publication Date

January 1, 1990

Volume

45

Issue

1

Start / End Page

111 / 139

Related Subject Headings

  • Social Psychology
  • 52 Psychology
  • 35 Commerce, management, tourism and services
  • 17 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences
  • 15 Commerce, Management, Tourism and Services