TY - JOUR
T1 - The relationship between information processing style and information seeking, and its moderation by affect and perceived usefulness
T2 - analysis vs. procrastination
AU - Soane, Emma
AU - Schubert, iljana
AU - Lunn, Rebecca
AU - Pollard, Simon
PY - 2015/1
Y1 - 2015/1
N2 - We examined the relationship between information processing style and information seeking, and its moderation by anxiety and information utility. Information about Salmonella, a potentially commonplace disease, was presented to 2960 adults. Two types of information processing were examined: preferences for analytical or heuristic processing, and preferences for immediate or delayed processing. Information seeking was captured by measuring the number of additional pieces of information sought by participants. Preferences for analytical information processing were associated positively and directly with information seeking. Heuristic information processing was associated negatively and directly with information seeking. The positive relationship between preferences for delayed decision making and information seeking was moderated by anxiety and by information utility. Anxiety reduced the tendency to seek additional information. Information utility increased the likelihood of information seeking. The findings indicate that low levels of anxiety could prompt information seeking. However, information seeking occurred even when information was perceived as useful and sufficient, suggesting that it can be a form of procrastination rather than a useful contribution to effective decision making.
AB - We examined the relationship between information processing style and information seeking, and its moderation by anxiety and information utility. Information about Salmonella, a potentially commonplace disease, was presented to 2960 adults. Two types of information processing were examined: preferences for analytical or heuristic processing, and preferences for immediate or delayed processing. Information seeking was captured by measuring the number of additional pieces of information sought by participants. Preferences for analytical information processing were associated positively and directly with information seeking. Heuristic information processing was associated negatively and directly with information seeking. The positive relationship between preferences for delayed decision making and information seeking was moderated by anxiety and by information utility. Anxiety reduced the tendency to seek additional information. Information utility increased the likelihood of information seeking. The findings indicate that low levels of anxiety could prompt information seeking. However, information seeking occurred even when information was perceived as useful and sufficient, suggesting that it can be a form of procrastination rather than a useful contribution to effective decision making.
KW - information seeking
KW - information processing
KW - dual process theory
KW - RISP theory
KW - decision making
UR - http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0191886914004747
U2 - 10.1016/j.paid.2014.08.029
DO - 10.1016/j.paid.2014.08.029
M3 - Article
VL - 72
SP - 72
EP - 78
JO - Personality and Individual Differences
JF - Personality and Individual Differences
SN - 0191-8869
ER -