TY - JOUR
T1 - Age differences in decision making
T2 - A process methodology for examining strategic information processing
AU - Johnson, M. M.S.
PY - 1990
Y1 - 1990
N2 - This study explored the use of process tracing techniques in examining the decision-making processes of older and younger adults. Thirty-six college-age and thirty-six retirement-age participants decided which one of six cars they would purchase on the basis of computer-accessed data. They provided information search protocols. Results indicate that total time to reach a decision did not differ according to age. However, retirement-age participants used less information, spent more time viewing, and re-viewed fewer bits of information than college-age participants. Information search patterns differed markedly between age groups. Patterns of retirement-age adults indicated their use of noncompensatory decision rules which, according to decision-making literature (Payne, 1976), reduce cognitive processing demands. The patterns of the college-age adults indicated their use of compensatory decision rules, which have higher processing demands.
AB - This study explored the use of process tracing techniques in examining the decision-making processes of older and younger adults. Thirty-six college-age and thirty-six retirement-age participants decided which one of six cars they would purchase on the basis of computer-accessed data. They provided information search protocols. Results indicate that total time to reach a decision did not differ according to age. However, retirement-age participants used less information, spent more time viewing, and re-viewed fewer bits of information than college-age participants. Information search patterns differed markedly between age groups. Patterns of retirement-age adults indicated their use of noncompensatory decision rules which, according to decision-making literature (Payne, 1976), reduce cognitive processing demands. The patterns of the college-age adults indicated their use of compensatory decision rules, which have higher processing demands.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0025209912&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=0025209912&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1093/geronj/45.2.P75
DO - 10.1093/geronj/45.2.P75
M3 - Article
C2 - 2179392
AN - SCOPUS:0025209912
SN - 0022-1422
VL - 45
SP - P75-P78
JO - Journals of Gerontology
JF - Journals of Gerontology
IS - 2
ER -