Unlocking hidden social preferences through the speed of decision-making is a fascinating concept. Researchers, led by Sophie Bavard at the University of Hamburg, Germany, have delved into this intriguing phenomenon.
Recently published in the open-access journal PLOS Biology on June 20, the study reveals that by observing how quickly individuals make social decisions, we can gain insights into their preferences. This knowledge enables us to predict their choices accurately, even without knowing the specific options.
Understanding someone’s social beliefs and preferences can be challenging, as they are often concealed. While previous studies focused on observing choices, this new research emphasizes the significance of decision time alongside choices.
In the study, participants engaged in the Dictator Game, where they had to decide how much to keep for themselves and how much to give away. After playing the role of the dictator, they were tasked with predicting the preferences of other dictators based on their observed decision-making speed.
Participants were provided with varying levels of information – sometimes knowing the decisions, sometimes the decision time, both, or neither. The researchers theorized that even without knowing the actual choices, participants could predict preferences by analyzing the options and decision speed.
This innovative approach sheds light on the intricate relationship between decision time and social preferences, offering a new perspective on human behavior.
2024-06-20 13:15:04
Post from phys.org