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On making the Right Choice: A Meta-Analysis and Large-Scale Replication Attempt of the Unconscious Thought Advantage

Year: 2014

Type: article

Study designs: Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis

Abstract: Are difficult choices better made after a momentary diversion of thought than after deliberation? Studies examining the existence of such an unconscious thought advantage (UTA) have yielded mixed results. Here, we report a meta-analysis and a large-scale replication study (N = 423) that met the conditions deemed optimal for replicating the UTA. The large-scale replication study yielded no evidence for the UTA, and the meta-analysis showed that reports of this effect are confined to unreliable experiments employing small sample sizes. Accordingly, we conclude that there exists no reliable support for the existence of an UTA in making a difficult choice.

Source: Research portal (Tilburg University)

Authors: Nieuwenstein, Mark R., Wierenga, Tjardie, Morey, Richard D., Wicherts, Jelte M., Blom, Tesse N., Wagenmakers, Eric-Jan, van Rijn, Hedderik

Institutions: University of Groningen, Cardiff University, Tilburg University, University of Amsterdam

Language: English

Topic: Decision-Making and Behavioral Economics

Subfield: General Decision Sciences

Field: Decision Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

Open Access status: green

OpenAlex ID: W2516993302

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