Judgment and Decision Making (Dec 2010)

Thoughtful days and valenced nights: How much will you think about the problem?

  • Todd McElroy,
  • David L. Dickinson

Journal volume & issue
Vol. 5, no. 7
pp. 516 – 523

Abstract

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Considerable research has pointed towards processing differences as a viable means for understanding the strength and likelihood of a framing effect. In the current study we explored how differences in processing may emerge through diurnal patters in circadian rhythm, which varies across individuals. We predicted that during circadian off-times, participants would exhibit stronger framing effects whereas framing effects would be relatively weaker during on-times. Six-hundred and eighty five individuals took part in the study; the findings supported our hypothesis, revealing a diurnal pattern of risk responding that varies across the 24-hour circadian cycle.

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