A feature-based inference model of numerical estimation: the split-seed effect

Acta Psychol (Amst). 2009 Jul;131(3):221-34. doi: 10.1016/j.actpsy.2009.05.007. Epub 2009 Jun 26.

Abstract

Prior research has identified two modes of quantitative estimation: numerical retrieval and ordinal conversion. In this paper we introduce a third mode, which operates by a feature-based inference process. In contrast to prior research, the results of three experiments demonstrate that people estimate automobile prices by combining metric information associated with two critical features: product class and brand status. In addition, Experiments 2 and 3 demonstrated that when participants are seeded with the actual current base price of one of the to-be-estimated vehicles, they respond by revising the general metric and splitting the information carried by the seed between the two critical features. As a result, the degree of post-seeding revision is directly related to the number of these features that the seed and the transfer items have in common. The paper concludes with a general discussion of the practical and theoretical implications of our findings.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Association Learning*
  • Attention*
  • Automobiles / economics
  • Commerce / economics
  • Culture
  • Decision Making*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mathematics*
  • Problem Solving*
  • Transfer, Psychology*
  • Young Adult