Adhering to initial judgment: How power distance belief increases preference consistency

Abstract

This paper demonstrates that individuals with high (vs. low) power distance belief (PDB), who tend to support inequality in society, are reluctant to change their initial judgments when receiving preference inconsistent (vs. consistent) information, thereby showing a greater preference consistency effect through three studies. This effect is driven by high (vs. low) PDB individuals’ greater resistance to change. Specifically, high (vs. low) PDB individuals are less likely to change their initial judgment because they are more reluctant to make changes in their lives, which leads to a greater preference consistency effect. Furthermore, we demonstrate one important boundary condition: a positive affective state. Key implications are also discussed.

Keywords

• power distance belief
• resistance to change
• preference consistency
• preference change
• preference inconsistent information