Research Note 81-25

A BIBLIOGRAPHY OF RESEARCH ON THE INFLUENCEOF IRRELEVANT INFORMATION ON

PSYCHOLOGICAL JUDGMENTS

Gary J. Gaeth and James ShanteauKansas State University

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C.3)(iiA€ U.S. Army

LUResearch Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences

~September 1981

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Research Note 81-25

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A BIBLIOGRAPHY OF RESEARCH ON THE INFLUENCE OF Interim Technical Report

IRRELEVANT INFORMATION ON PSYCHOLOGICAL JUDGMENTS ,. PERFORMING ORG. REPORT NUMBER

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Gary J. Gaeth and James Shanteau MDA903-80-C-0029

9. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME AND ADDRESS 10. PROGRAM ELEMENT. PROJECT, TASKfPsychology AREA & WORK UNIT NUMBERSDepartment of Pyhlg

Kansas State University 2Q161102B74 FManhattan, Kansas 66506

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Bibliography

PsychologyIrrelevant InformationHuman Judgment

20. AT'RACr (ConiTue ( .eCrto std If rmceeeawy and identify by block number)This bibliography provides a partical listing of published studies which

demonstrate an effect of irrelevant information on human judgment. While it isapparent that there are numerous studies of irrelevance, there have been noprevious efforts to compile a listing of these papers. However, it is clearfrom the bibliography that the use of irrelevant information has been reportedin a wide range of research areas. Moreover, there are a number of parallelresearch efforts on irrelevance which have not been previously documented.'

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Adamson, R., & Everett, K. Response modificaton by"irrelevant" stimulus attributes. Psychonomic Science,1969, J4(2), 81.

Anderson, N. H., & Grant, D. A. A test of a statisticillearning theory model for two-choice behavior modelswith double stimulus events. Journal of ExperimentalPyholoqy, 1957, U4(5), 305-317.

Archer, E. J., Bourne, L. E., Jr., & Brown, F. G. Conceptidentification as a function of irrelevant informationand instructions. Jour of Experimental Psyho.gy,1955, AS(3), 153-164.

Bear, G., & Hodun, A. Implicational principles andcognition of confirmatory, contradictory, incomplete,and irrelevant information. Journal 1 Personality andSocial s.yhlgy, 1975, U2(4), 594-604.

Besner, D., & Coltheart, M. Mental size scaling examined.m nd CoqniLtLi, 1976, 4(5), 525-531.

Biederman, I., & Checkosky, S. F. Processing redundantinformation. Journal of Exoerimental Psvcholoev, 1970,83(3) , 486-490.

Blin, J. M. How relevant are 'irrelevant' alternatives?Theory ina Deision, 1976, 2, 95-105.

Bonnet, M. H., & Webb, W. B. The effect of repetition ofrelevant and. irrelevant tasks over day and night workperiods. Ergonmonics, 1978, 21(12), 999-1005.

Bourne, L. E., Jr. IIua cocpual behavior. Boston:Allyn & Bacon, 1960.

Bundesen, C., & Larsen, A. Visual transformation of size.Journal of Experimental Psycholog: Human Preto

and Performance, 1975, i(3), 214-220.

Bush, E. S., & Cohen, L. B. Effects of relevant andirrelevant labels on short-term memory in nursey-schoolchildren. Psvchonomic Science, 1970, 11(4), 228-229.

Castellan, N. J. Jr. Multiple-cue probability learningwith irrelevant cues. Organizational ehavior And HumanPerformance, 1973, 9(l),, 16-29.

Cohen, G. Differential effects of irrelevant dimensionsin three-shape recognition tasks. B i.urnal 2fPsychlhg, 1971, f2(2), 151-156.

Cottrell, N. B., Rajecki, D. W., Smith, D. U. Theenergizing effects of postdecision dissonance uponperformace of an irrelevant task. Juronalf SocialPsychology, 1974, 13, 81-92.

Crawford, A. The perception of light signals: The effectof the number of irrelevant lights. Croomonics, 1962,5., 417-428.

Derks, P. L. Effect of run length on the "Gambler'sI ~ ~ (Fallacy". Journal of Experimental Psychlologyv, 1963,2) 1324

filA2), 213-214.

Dixon, P., & Just, M. Normalization of irrelevantdimensions in stimulus comparisons. Journl 2fExerimenal Psychlogy: Human Percft.i. andPerformance. 1978, A(l), 36-46.

Egeth, H. Selective attention. Psychological Bulletin,1967, U, 41-57.

Eimas, P. D. Effects of overtraining and age onintradimensional and extradimensional shift in children.Journal of Experimental Child Psycolog, 1966, 1,348-355.

Eimas, P. D. Optional shift behavior in children as afunction of overtraining, irrelevant stimuli, and age.Journal 2f Experimental Child Psclogy, 1967, 5,

332-340.

Eimas, P. D. Effects of overtraining on irrelevant stimuliand training task reversal on reversal discriminationlearning in children. joura 2f Experimental ChildP, 1966, 3, 315-323.

Elliott, L. S., & Johnson, J. T. Orienting reflex inintellectually average and retarded-children to arelevant and irrelevant stimulus. Axican Journal, ofMental Development, 1973, 76(3), 332.

Epstein, W. Mechanisms of directed forgetting. In G. H.Bower (Ed.), = o 2 ad Motivao,Vol. 6, Acedemic Press: New York, 1972.

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Evans, R. A., & Beedle, R. K. Discrimination learning inmentally-retarded children as a function of irrelevantdimension variability. American Journal of MenalDevelopment, 1970, 7A(4), 568.

Flowers, J. L., Warner, J. L., & Polansky, M. L. Responseand encoding factors in "ignoring" irrelevantinformation. m anoryAnd Cognition, 1979, 7(2), 86-94.

Folkard, S., & Greeman, A. L. Salience, induced muscletension and the ability to ignore irrelevantinformation. Q ately Jouna o1 Experimental

Psycb1.gj, 1974, 26, 360-367.

Ford, J. M., Hink, R., Hopkins, W. F.. Roth, W. T.,Pfefferbaum, A., & Kopell, B.S. Age etfects on event-related potentials in a selective attention task.Journal of Gerontologq.,, 1979, 34(3) , 388-395.

Fromkin, H. L., Goldstein J. H., & Brock, T. C. The role21 irrlat derogationi ia viaio aggressioncatharsi: A field g. Krannert GraduateSchool, Paper No. 447, Purdue University. Laffette,Ind.: Purdue University Press, 1974.

Gaeth, G. J. A 2 of lecture ad interactivetraining signe = redu the i u 2f interferingmaterials: An application = Qoi science. MastersThesis, Kansas State University, 1980.

Gaeth, G. J., and Shanteau, J. Hland method 2f 19iUteXture asese: A 2Sychological aalysis 2faccuracy. Paper presented at the SCSS conference, FortCollins, Colorado, 1980.

Giambra, L. M. Effect of number of irrelevant dimensionswith ten concept types on attribute identification taskin the selection mode with exemplar and non-exemplarstart cards. Psychomgnic S, 1969, 1A(2), 75-76.

4Goldstein, I. L., & Allen, J. C. Effects of irrelevantstimuli on the processing of information in complex

i displays. Journal 21 Aple Psyhoog, 1971, 5U(2),

110-113.

Goldstein, I. L., Johnston, W. A., & Howell, W. C.Complex vigilance: Relevant and irrelevant signls.ofra 1A2ie scooy 1969, Ull45-48.

Gordon, I. E. Donders' c-reactions and irrelevantstimulus variety. British Journal 2f i.y .g, 1970,6i(3) , 359-363.

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* Grant, D. A., & Curran, J. F. Relative difficulty ofnumber, form, and color concepts of a Weigle-typeproblem using unsystematic number cards. Journal 2fExperimental j.klgy, 1952 Al, 408-413.

Griffitt, W., and Jackson, T. Influence of informationabout ability and nonability on personnel selectiondecisions. Psychological Rp_.r t, 1970, 22, 959-962.

* Heslin, R., Blake, B., & Rotten, J. Information search asa function of stimulus uncertainty and the importance ofthe response. jl.. gt Persona ity And SocialPsychology, 1972, 2a(3) , 333-339.

Himmelfarb, S., & Youngblood, J. Effects of factualinformation on creating resistance to emotional appeals.Psychonomic Science, 1969, 1A(6), 267-270.

Hodge, M. H. Competing responses and processing ofirrelevant information. Memory And Cgni , 1973,1(2), 124-128.

Hodge, M. H., & Reid, L. S. Influence of similarity* between relevant and irrelevant information upon a

complex identification task. eraendtionPsvchoohysics, 1971, lA(4A), 193-196.

Holman, E. W. Irrelevant-incentive learning with flavorsin rats. Journal of Experimental Ps.ychQg.y, 1980,fj(2), 20-24.

Hoyer, W. J., Rebok, G. W., & Sved, S. M. Effects ofvarying irrelevant information on adult age differencesin problem solving. J.una 2 Gerontology, 1979,34(4), 553-560.

Hyman, L. M. Effects of irrelevant dimensions and stimulion two-choice discrimination learning by children.Psychonomic Science, 1971, ZZ(4), 249-250.

Jacoby, L. L., & Radtke, R. C. Effects of contiguity andmeaningfulness of relevant and irrelevant attributes onconcept formation. Journal 2f Experimental sJogy,1969, 81(3), 454-459.

Johannsen, W. J. Concept identification undermisinformative and subsequent informative feedbackconditions. Journal f Experimental Psychology, 1962,fi(6), 631-635.

Johnston, W. A., & Howell, W. C. Complex vigilance:Relevant and irrelevant signals. Journal ofPs4 ycholg., 1969, 51(1), 45-48.

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Johnston, W. A., and Wilson, J. Perceptual processing ofnontargets in an attention task. Memory And .gnition,1980, 8(4), 372-377.

Kanheman, A., and Tversky, A. Subjective probability: Ajudgment of representativeness. CQgnitil isxhglogv,197., 3, 430-454.

Kausler, D. H., & Kleim, D. M. Age differences inprocessing relevant versus irrelevant stimuli inmultiple-item recognition learning. Journai ofGerontology, 1978, 31(l), 87-93.

Kepros, P. G., & Bourne, L. E. Jr. Identification ofbiconditional concepts: Effects of number of relevantand irrelevant dimensions. anaian JournalPsycho1.gy, 1966, 2&(2), 198-207.

Krischer, J. P. The mathematics of cleft palate treatment

evaluation: Measuring the desirability of treatmentoutcomes. TIM Cleft Palate Jornl, 1976,, U3(2),

165-180.

Krueger, L. E. Effect of irrelevant surrounding materialon speed of same-different judgment of two adjacentletters. Journal 2f Experimental P, 1973,U8(2), 252-259.

Larsen, A., & Bndesen, C. Size scaling in visual patternrecognition. Journal DI Exoerimental Psychology: Human

fanti dM Performance. 1979, 4(1), 1-20.

Layton, B. Perceptual noise and aging. PsychologicalBulletin, 1975, 82(6) , 875-883.

Levine, J. M. Information seeking with conflicting andirrelevant inputs. igJrnal gf A2id P_, 1973,52(1), 74-80.

Lichtenstein, S., Earle, T. C., & Slovic, P. Cueutilization in a numerical prediction task. Journal fExperimental P.col. g: Human Perce.tiQn AndPerformance. 1975, iQ4, 77-85.

Low, L. A., Coste, E. & Kirkup, C. Concept transfer as afunction of age and variability of irrelevant featuresduring acqusition. Bulletin o2 Pschon. c Societ,1978, 12(5), 393-395.

Low, L. A., Coste, E., & Kirkup, C. Developmentaldifferences in concept transfer as a function ofvariability of irrelevant features during acqusition.Blltin gf Psychomonic S, 1980, lE(l), 19-22.

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Low, L. A., Woolverton, M., & Lusignan, R. Influence ofvariability of irrelevant features on concept tranfer inchildren. Bulei of Psychonomic Soit, 1976, k(fl,

422-424.

( Mason, M., & Brandau, R. Effect of irrelevant differenceson same-different judgments. Unpublished Manuscript,Iowa State University, 1980.

Miles, C. G., Westbrook, R. E., & Lorimer, P. W. Problemdifficulty and acquisition of stimulus control by anirrelevant feature in the Pigeon. Journal 2tCmaaieAnd Physiological Psychlogy 1969, §A(2) ,

249-253.

Milgram, N. A., & Noce, J. S. Relevant and irrelevantverbalization in discrimination and reversal learning bynormal and retarded children. guona EducationalP lgq, 1968, 5U(3), 169-175.

Miller, J., & Bauer, D. W. Irrelevant differences in the"same"-"different" task. Journal 2L ExerimentalPsyholo, 1981, 2(1), 196-207.

Mitchell, H. E., & Byrne, D. Minimizing the influence ofirrelevant factors in the courtroom: The defendant'scharacter, judge's instructions, and authoritarianism.Paper presented at the Annual Meting of the MPsychological Association, May, 1972, Cleveland.

Modigliani, V., & Rizza, J. P. Conservation of simpleconcepts as a functon of deletion of irrelevantattributes. Journal of Experimental P, 1971,90(2), 280-286.

Montague, W. E. Effect of irrelevant information on acomplex auditory-discrimination task. Journal 2fExperimental Psyc1.Q.2., 1965, i, 230-236.

Morin, R. E. Factors influencing rate and extent oflearning in the presence of misinformative feedback.Journal 2f Experimental P colg, 1955, A9-(5),

343-351.

Morin, R. E., Forrin, B., & Archer, W. Information4 processing behavior: The role of irrelevant

information. Journal Qf Experimental Psychology, 1961,il(l) , 89-96.

Nagy, G. How are personnel selection decisions made? Ananalysis of decision strategies in a simulated personnel

* selection task. Doctoral Dissertation, Kansas StateUniversity, 1981.

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4Navon, D. Irrelevance of figural identity for resolvingambiguities in apparent motion. Journal 2f Experimental2sychology, 1976, 2.(.), 130-138.

Norman, K. L. Dynamic processes in stimulus integrationtheory: The effects of feedback on averaging of motormovements. Journal f Experimental Psyhoog, 1974,120(3), 399-408.(a)

Norman, K. L. Rule learning in a stimulus integrationtask. Journal f Experimental Psycolog, 1974, 103(5),941-947. (b)

Norman, K L. Effect of feedback on the weights andsubjective values in an information integration model.Organizational Behavio ad Human Performance, 1976, 17,367-387.

Osburn, H. G., Timmreck, C., & Bigby, D. Effect ofdimensional relevance on accuracy of simulated hiringdecisons by employment interviewers. Journal 2f Appied,, 1981, 6a(2), 159-165.

Overing, R. L. R., & Travers, R. M. W. Variation in theamounts of irrelevant cues in training and testconditions and the effect upon transfer. Journal ofEducatinal P lgy, 1967, a5(l), 62-68.

Phelps, R. H. Expert livestock judgment: A descriptiveanalysis of the development of expertise. DoctoralDissertation, Kansas State University, 1977.

Pishkin, V. Effects of probability of misinformation andnumber of irrelevant dimensions upon conceptidentification. Journal 2f Experimental PsycholoQgy,1960, 51(6), 371-378.

Price, L. E., Spiker, C. C. Effect of similarity ofirrelevant stimuli on performance in discriminationlearning problems. Journal 21 Experimental Childsycholoqy, 1967, , 324-331.

Rabbitt, P. M. Ignoring irrelevant information. BritishoJlf Psycholg, 1964, 55(4), 403-414.

Rabbitt, P. An age decrement in the ability to ignoreirrelevant information. Journal. of Fz/_ _, 1965,20, 233-238.

Rabbitt, P. M. A. Learning to ignore irrelevantinformation. Journal, D Pych g, 1967,

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Rice, M. F. Influence of irrelevant biographicalinformation in teacher evaluation. JourJnl ofEducational Psycholgy, 1975, I7(5), 658-662.

Ryack, B. L., deDombal, F. T., Moeller, G., Robinson, K.,& Softley, A. The effects of indicant sets on theaccuracy of computerized diagnosis of abdominal pain.Paper presented at the Second Annual meeting 2f thSociety fo Medical Deciio Mking, 1980, Washington,D.C.

Sanchez, H., & Clark, N. T. Relevant versus irrelevantdrive in social facilitation: Are audiences aversive?Paper presented at the M. R. A. Covltin, April 1981,Detriot, Michigan.

Schonfield, D. Translations in gerontology-from lab tolife: Utilizing information. American Psycholgist,1974, 239, 796-801.

Shaklee, H., & Mims, M. Sources of error in judging eventcovariations: Effects of memory demands. Submitted toMemory And Cognition, 1980.

Shanteau, J. Information theory applied to the trainingof experts. Paper presented at AIDS meeting, November,1979, New Orleans. , 1979.

Shanteau, J., & Anderson, N. H. Integration theoryapplied to judgments of the value of information.Journal _U Experimental pyhlg, 1972, 9(2), 266-275.

Shanteau, J., & Gaeth, G. J. Training experts to ignoreirrelevant information. Paper presented at PsychomonicS Metings, 1979, Phoenix.

Shantz, C. U. Effects of redundant and irrelevantinformation of children's seriation ability. Journal oExperimental Child R, 1967, 5, 208-222.

Shepp, B. E., & Gray, V. A. Effects of variable-withinand variable-between irrelevant stimuli on dimensionallearning and transfer. Journal 2f ExerimentalPcl , 1971, 8I(1), 32-39.

Shugan, S. M. The cost of thinking. Journal 2f ConsumerResearch, September, 1980, 2, 99-111.

Shweder, R. A. Likeness and likelihood in everydaythought: Magical thinking in judgment aboutpersonality. Current Anthropology, 1977, 11(4),637-658.

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Singleton, W. T. (Ed.) The analis 2f pgatical skills(Vol. 1). Baltimore: Universtiy Park Press, 1977.

Snapper, K. J., & Peterson, C. P. Information seeking anadata diagnosticity. Journal of Experimental bPcog,1971, 2(3) , 429-433.

Streufert, S. C. Effects of information relevance ondecision making in complex environments. Me~ory AndCoaniQJ1, 1973, 1(3), 224-228.

Sue, S., Smith, R. E., & Caldwell, C. Effects ofadmissible evidence on the decisions of simulatedjurors: A moral dilemma. Journal 2f aplied socialPsvchologyU, 1973, 3(4), 345-353.

q Treisman, A. Monitoring and storage of irrelevantmessages in selective attention. Journal 2f VerbalLearning, 1964, 3, 449-459.

Troutman, C. M., & Shanteau, J. Inferences based onnondiagnostic information. Organizational BSand Human Perfrmance, 1977, 11, 43-55.

Tversky, A., & Kanhneman, D. Judgment under uncertainty:Heuristics and biases. Sgience, 1974, iU, 1124-1131.

Tversky, A. Features of similarity. PsychologicalReview, 1977, 84(4), 327-352.

Walker, C. M. Conceot identification s A function 2fzeaeLat And ir/elevanj infgr ation. unpublisheddoctoral dissertation, University of Utah, 1957.

Walker, C. M., & Bourne, L. E., Jr. The identification ofconcepts as a function of amount of relevant andirrelevant information. Ame Jicanaournal oPsychlogyf ,1961, 2A, 410-417.

Walker, D. W., & Means, L. W. Single-alternationperformance in rats with hippocampal lesions:Disruption by an irrelevant task interposed during theintertrial interval. Bgao Biogy, 1973, 9(l) ,93-104.

Wallsten, T. S. Bias in evlaic dansiinformation. Report No. 157, L. L. ThurstonePsychometric Laboratory, Chapel Hill, N.C., 1978.

Wallsten, T. S. Processes and models _to decrb choice

And inference. Report Number 158, The L. L. ThurstonePsychometric Laboratory, University of North Carolina,Chapel Hill, January, 1979.

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Weiner, B., & Reed, H. Effects of the instructional setto remember and to forget on short-term retention:Studies of rehersal contol and rehersal inhibition(repression). Journal 2L Experimental P, 1969,79, 229-232.

Wells, G. L., Lindsay, R. C. L. On estimating thediagnosticity of eyewitness nonidentification.Psychological Bliletin, 1980, 8U(3), 776-784.

Weiss, W. Influence of an irrelevant stimulus attributeon numerostiy judgments. Pr o and Motor Skills,1965, A, 190.

Wheeler, J. A. The outsider. T March 12, 1979.

Williams, C. The effect of an irrelevant dimension on"same-different" judgements of multi-dimensionalstimuli. Ouatel Journal f Experimental Psyhoog,1974, 2a, 26-31.

Youngblood, J., & Himmelfarb, S. The effects of priorneutral messages on resistance to evaluativecommunication. Psvchonomic Scignce, 1972, 29(6A),348-350.

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