Hypothesis-consistent testing and semantic priming in the anchoring paradigm: A selective accessibility model

Citation
T. Mussweiler et F. Strack, Hypothesis-consistent testing and semantic priming in the anchoring paradigm: A selective accessibility model, J EXP S PSY, 35(2), 1999, pp. 136-164
Citations number
80
Categorie Soggetti
Psycology
Journal title
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY
ISSN journal
00221031 → ACNP
Volume
35
Issue
2
Year of publication
1999
Pages
136 - 164
Database
ISI
SICI code
0022-1031(199903)35:2<136:HTASPI>2.0.ZU;2-W
Abstract
Results of four studies support the notion that anchoring effects are media ted by mechanisms of hypothesis-consistent testing and semantic priming. Ac cording to the suggested Selective Accessibility Model, judges use a hypoth esis-consistent test strategy to solve a comparative anchoring task. Applyi ng this strategy selectively increases the accessibility of anchor-consiste nt knowledge which is then used to generate the subsequent absolute judgmen t. Studies 1 and 2 demonstrate that absolute estimates depend on the hypoth esis implied in the comparative task suggesting that a hypothesis-testing s trategy is used to solve this task. Study 3 shows that limiting the amount of knowledge generated for the comparative task retards absolute judgments. This suggests that knowledge rendered easily accessible in the comparative judgment is used for the subsequent absolute judgment. Finally, Study 4 su ggests that self-generation of knowledge contributes to the robustness of t he effect, thus resolving the seeming inconsistency that anchoring effects are at the same time remarkably robust and mediated by typically fragile se mantic priming mechanisms, (C) 1999 Academic Press.