RIGIDITY IN DECISION BEHAVIORS - A WITHIN-SUBJECT TEST OF INFORMATIONACQUISITION USING STRATEGIC AND FINANCIAL INFORMATIONAL CUES

In contrast to prior investigations using between-subjects designs to infer the existence of rigidity in decision behaviors, this research u sed a within-subject design to directly measure rigidity. We also exte nded previous examinations by distinguishing between semantic and epis odic informational cues. Finally, we used a computer process-tracing t echnique that allows validity assessments of tests and keeps researche r intrusion to a minimum. Our results, based on data from three differ ent groups of business analysts and two studies, suggest the inappropr iateness of arguing that individuals show either exclusively rigid or nonrigid decision behaviors.