Abstract
Trait descriptions that varied in polarity from a neutral description were formed in order to compare the relative weights of positive and negative traits on reports of behavioral intentions (BIs). Forty-four Ss made marital BI judgments, and 82 Ss reported employ BIs. Negative traits were weighted more heavily than positive traits. Confidence in BI reports increased as the descriptions increased in polarity, but negative information did not consistently evoke more confidence than positive information. Hypotheses suggesting different patterns of responses to marital and employ BIs were not supported.
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Sponsored by E. B. Zechmeister, who takes full editorial responsibility for it. Jack McKillip, Paul Lavrakas, and Susan Green are thanked for help at various stages of this experiment.
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Posavac, E.J. Relative weighting of positive and negative information and confidence in reports of behavioral intentions. Bull. Psychon. Soc. 4, 481–483 (1974). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03334263
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03334263