INFORMATION DISPLAYS AND DECISION-PROCESSES

Information displays influence decision processes by facilitating some decision strategies while hindering others. Component characteristics of displays, such as the form, organization, and sequence of informat ion, influence decision processes through an adaptive mechanism whereb y a decision maker balances the desire to maximize accuracy against th e desire to minimize effort. Variations in the information display lea d to changes in the anticipated effort and anticipated accuracy of eac h available strategy and, therefore, provide an incentive for decision makers to use different decision processes. Research in this area can provide guidance regarding the use of displays and other decision-aid ing approaches.