Abstract
Previous research based on predictions of complexity theory has often varied information load and measured characteristics of group decision making. A reinterpretation of related data on success and failure effects suggests that the obtained load effects may be confounded by simultaneous variation of information load and information relevance. To begin studying the separate effects of the two variables, information load was held constant at the previously determined optimal level and information relevance was varied as a proportion of load. It was found that integrated decision making (a complex decision response) was modified by changes in information relevance; but that respondent decision making and information search (simple decision responses) did not change. The results were tentatively interpreted to suggest that complex decision making varies with relevance, while simple decision making varies with information load. It was suggested that complexity theory might be correspondingly modified.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Burron, B. F., Carlson, K. A., Getty, G. R., & Jackson, D. N. The effects of informational characteristics on the perception of real and hypothetical target persons. Psychonomic Science, 1971, 23, 145–147.
Campbell, A. C. On introducing supraminimal data to items whose solution demands the use of indirect procedures. British Journal of Psychology, 1968, 59, 211–217.
Castore, C. H., & Streufert, S. The perception of experimentally induced failure. Psychonomic Science, 1966, 4, 137–138.
Castore, C. H., & Streufert, S. Components of decisions in a simulated environment. ONR Technical Report No. 2, 1967, Rutgers University.
Castore, C. H., & Streufert, S. Decision making in an experimental internation simulation. ONR Technical Report No. 11, 1968, Purdue University. Driver, M. J., & Streufert, S. Group composition, input load and group information processing. Institute Paper No. 142, 1966, Purdue University, Institute for Research in the Behavioral, Economic and Management Sciences.
Driver, M. J., & Streufert, S. Integrative complexity: An approach to individuals and groups as information processing systems. Administrative Science Quarterly, 1969, 14, 272–285.
Edmonds, E. M., & Mueller, M. R. Concept formation and utilization in the presence of irrelevant visual stimulation. Psychonomic Science, 1970, 18, 109–110.
Erlick, S. E. The ability to filter noise from a visual task when the noise and signal are presented sequentially. Journal of Experimental Psychology, 1962, 63, 111–114.
Fromkin, H. L., & Streufert, S. Laboratory experimentation. In M. Dunnette (Ed.),Handbook of organizational and industrial psychology. Chicago: Rand McNally, in press.
Giambra, L. M. Effect of number of irrelevant dimensions with tenoconcept types on the attribute identification task in the selection mode with exemplar and non-exemplar start cards. Psychonomic Science, 1969, 14, 75–76.
Goldstein, I. L., & Allen, J. C. Effects of irrelevant stimuli on the processing of information in complex displays. Journal of Applied Psychology, 1971, 55, 110–113.
Higbee, K. L., & Streufert, S. The perception of experimentallyinduced success. Psychonomic Science, 1968, 12, 361–362.
Hodge, M. H., & Reid, L. S. The influence of similarity between relevant and irrelevant information upon a complex identification task. Perception & Psychophysics, 1971, 10, 193–196.
Hyman, L. M. The effects of irrelevant dimensions and stimuli on two-choice discrimination learning by children. Psychonomic Science, 1971, 22, 249–250.
Kepros,.P. G., & Bourne, L. E., Jr. Identification of biconditional concepts: Effects of number of relevant and irrelevant dimensions. Canadian Journal of Psychology, 1966, 20, 198–207.
Landis, D., Slivka. R. M.. & Silver. C. A. The effect of three t.vpes of visual irrelevancy on complex decision making. Journal of Psychology, 1970, 74.29–42.
Morgan, B. B., & Alluisi. E. A. Effects of discriminability and irrelevant information on absolute judgments. Perception & Psychophysics, 1967.2.54–58.
Scandura. J. M.. & Voorhies. D. J. Effect of n-relevant attributes and irrelevant operations on role learning, Journal of Educational Psychology, 1971.62. 352–356.
Schroder. H. M.. Driver, M. J.. & Streufert. S.Human information processing. New York: Holt. Rinehart & Winston. 1967.
Stager, P. Conceptual level as a composition variable in small group decision making, Journal of Personality & Social Psychology, 1967, 5, 152–161.
Streufert. S. Increasing failure and response rate in complex decision making. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 1969.5. 310–323.
Streufert. S. Complexity and complex decision making. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology. 1970.6. 494–509.
Streufert. S. Success and response rate in complex decision making. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology. 1972, 8, 389–403.
Streufert. S.. & Castore. C. H. Effects of increasing success and failure on perceived information quality Psychonomic Science, 1968, 11, 63–64.
Streufert, S,, & Castore, C. H. Information search and the effects of failure: A test of complexity theory. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology. 1971.7. 125–143.
Streufert. S., Castore, C. H.. & Kliger. S. C. A tactical and negotiations game: Rationale. method and analysis. ONR Technical Report No. 1. 1967. Rutgers University.
Streufert. S., & Driver, M. J. Conceptual structure, information load and perceptual.complexity. Psychonomic Science, 1965, 3, 249–250.
Streufert, S., & Driver, M. J. Impression formation as a measure of the complexity of conceptual stmcture. Educational & Psychological Measurement, 1967, 27. 1025–1029.
Streufert, S.. Driver. M. J.. & Haun, K. W. Components of response rate in complex decision making. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology. 1967.3, 286–295.
Streufert, S., Kliger, S. C.. Castore, C. H.. & Driver, M. J. A tactical and negotiations game for the analysis of decision integration across decision areas. Psychological Reports. 1967, 20, 155–157.
Streufert. S.. & Schroder, H. M. Conceptual structure, environmental complexity and task performance Journal of Experimental Research in Personality, 1965. 1, 132–137.
Streufert, S.. & Streufert, S. C. The effect of conceptual structure, fallnre and success on attribution of causality and interpersonal attitudes. Journal of Personality & Social Psychology, 1969, 11, 138–147.
Streufert, S., & Streufert, S. C. The perception of information relevance. Psychonomic Science. 1970, 18, 199–200.
Streufert. S., Suedfeld, P., & Driver, M. J, Conceptual structure. information search and information utilization. Journal of Personality & Social Psychology. 1965, 2, 736–740.
Tresselt, M. E. The effect of partially irrelevant anchors on verbal conceptual thinking. Psychonomic Science, 1969, 16, 312–313.
Well. A. D. The influence of trrelevant information on speeded classification tasks. Perception & Psychophysics, 1971. 10, 79–84.
Williges, R. C. The role of payoffs and signal rahos in criterion changes during a monitoring task. Human Factors, 1971, 13, 261–267.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
This work was supported by a contract between the Office of Naval Research and Purdue University.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Streufert, S.C. Effects of information relevance on decision making in complex environments. Memory & Cognition 1, 224–228 (1973). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03198100
Received:
Revised:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03198100