Dwelling on the Bad: Negative Arguments and Stimuli are Given More Weight in Both Cumulative and Noncumulative Tasks
Abstract
Studies of order effects have often been siloed into those focused on question order effects, which examine pairs of purportedly independent items, and information order effects, which ask participants to combine multiple pieces of information. We present data from both types of tasks demonstrating a previously unreported asymmetry, where negative stimuli have a stronger effect on subsequent positive stimuli than vice versa. Data are reanalyzed from three previously published studies of order effects, as well as two novel experiments; we observed consistent results across a variety of tasks and stimuli. These results are discussed in the context of both traditional models like Hogarth and Einhorn's belief-adjustment model and more recent attempts to use quantum probability theory to model order effects.
Recommended Citation
Burns, D. M., Pothos, E. M., & White, L. C. (2025). Dwelling on the Bad: Negative Arguments and Stimuli are Given More Weight in Both Cumulative and Noncumulative Tasks. Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology SAGE Publications.
The definitive version is available at https://doi.org/10.1177/17470218251347041
Department(s)
Psychological Science
Keywords and Phrases
affective decision-making; evaluation bias; measurement effect; Order effects; quantum cognition
International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)
1747-0226; 1747-0218
Document Type
Article - Journal
Document Version
Citation
File Type
text
Language(s)
English
Rights
© 2025 SAGE Publications, All rights reserved.
Publication Date
01 Jan 2025
Comments
Air Force Office of Scientific Research, Grant FA8655-23-1-7220