Wolves in sheep's clothing: How and when hypothetical questions influence behavior
How and when does responding to hypothetical questions shape future judgment and behavior? We identify knowledge accessibility as an implicit process through which hypothetical questions influence individuals, and examine moderators of accessibility that determine when these effects obtain. In an initial study, we show that hypothetical questions increase the accessibility of the specific positive or negative knowledge referenced by the question. In five subsequent studies, we manipulate factors known to enhance (consistency, elaboration) and attenuate (awareness, delay) accessibility, and show that these factors moderate the influence of hypothetical questions on individuals' voting choices, legal decision-making, and consumption behavior. © 2011 Elsevier Inc.
Duke Scholars
Altmetric Attention Stats
Dimensions Citation Stats
Published In
DOI
ISSN
Publication Date
Volume
Issue
Start / End Page
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
Published In
DOI
ISSN
Publication Date
Volume
Issue
Start / End Page
Related Subject Headings
- Social Psychology
- 52 Psychology
- 35 Commerce, management, tourism and services
- 17 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences
- 15 Commerce, Management, Tourism and Services