Abstract
Research on biased information seeking demonstrates that after decisions, people show a preference for supporting rather than
conflicting information (confirmation bias). In a laboratory study (N = 86 German undergraduates), we examined the interactive effects of different decision types and gender on the confirmation
bias. Our study revealed that women showed less confirmation bias when the decision concerned themselves and their mate (interdependent
decision) compared to a decision concerning only themselves (independent decision). In contrast, men showed less confirmation
bias when they made an independent compared to an interdependent decision. Results were discussed in terms of self-construal
differences between men and women leading to different motivations (defense vs. accuracy) during the information seeking depending
on the decision type.
conflicting information (confirmation bias). In a laboratory study (N = 86 German undergraduates), we examined the interactive effects of different decision types and gender on the confirmation
bias. Our study revealed that women showed less confirmation bias when the decision concerned themselves and their mate (interdependent
decision) compared to a decision concerning only themselves (independent decision). In contrast, men showed less confirmation
bias when they made an independent compared to an interdependent decision. Results were discussed in terms of self-construal
differences between men and women leading to different motivations (defense vs. accuracy) during the information seeking depending
on the decision type.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-11
- DOI 10.1007/s11199-011-0009-2
- Authors
- Eva Traut-Mattausch, Department of Psychology, University of Salzburg, Hellbrunnerstrasse 34, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
- Eva Jonas, Department of Psychology, University of Salzburg, Hellbrunnerstrasse 34, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
- Dieter Frey, Department of Psychology, University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Mark P. Zanna, Department of Psychology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Canada
- Journal Sex Roles
- Online ISSN 1573-2762
- Print ISSN 0360-0025