Preference Falsification: Examining Everyday Preferences Through a Contrived Lense of 'Preference Falsification'
Year: 2023
Type: preprint
Abstract: Preference falsification is a common phenomenon in daily life social choices, where individuals may hide their true preferences due to social pressures. This research paper explores the impact of external stimuli such as facts and opinions on individuals' preferences and the extent to which individuals falsify their preferences in the presence of such stimuli. To test the hypothesis, a questionnaire was administered to a closed group of 100 college students. The respondents were asked the same ten questions in two different ways, one to assess their true preferences and the other with an external stimulus in the form of facts, opinions, or a mixture of both. The study found that people are more likely to falsify their preferences when they are exposed to opinions rather than facts. The results of the study suggest that external stimuli play a critical role in shaping people's preferences in daily life social choices. The study's findings have important implications for policymakers and organizations seeking to influence the choices of individuals. By understanding the mechanisms underlying preference falsification, policymakers and organizations can design interventions and marketing strategies that are more effective in changing people's preferences.
Author: Madhav Sarda
Institution: Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies
Language: English
Subfield: General Decision Sciences
Field: Decision Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W4388568678