34th Annual Student Research Conference
What I Should Have Done Was Nothing: Cognitive Bias Toward Action
Annie T. Schwend*, Nate B. Aldrich, Connor J. Firth, Norah A. Kovac, Katherine E. Speak, Emelia K. Durham, Jordan M. Clement, and Triston C. Robison
Dr. Karen Vittengl, Faculty Mentor
We investigated whether individuals have a cognitive bias toward action over inaction in decision making. We also examined whether any bias towards inaction has an interaction with personality, life satisfaction, rumination, and academic achievement. Participants (N=72) were given 14 scenarios all with a choice of inaction or action and a response on a Likert-type scale. Participants self-reported their ACT score, completed a personality test, the Satisfaction with Life Scale, and a rumination scale. Our findings showed that the average participant had a tendency towards more action than the situation warranted. Further, lower ACT scores were associated with a larger tendency toward action. There was not a statistically significant effect of framing the questions in terms of action (vs. inaction). Understanding these biases may aid people in making better decisions.
Keywords: Heuristics, Decision Making, Action, Inaction, Personality, Satisfaction with Life, Rumination, Academic Achievement
Topic(s):Psychology
Presentation Type: Asynchronous Virtual Oral Presentation
Session: 18-1
Location: https://flipgrid.com/fc0c5b54
Time: 0:00