An experience-based contrast effect when relying on a decision aid

Abstract

The present study investigates experience-based contrast effect as a factor that affects users’ decision to rely on decision support systems or not. Two types of experience-based contrast effects were evaluated: “hands-on” and “hard first, simple second.” In the first study, testing “hands-on” contrast, we examined its effect by giving users experience with a task before introducing them to a hard-to-use decision aid to carry out the same task. In the second study, examining “hard first, simple second” contrast, the effect was evaluated by introducing users first to a hard-to-use decision aid and thereafter to a simple decision aid. In both studies, participants took part in two successive sessions in a simulation-based supply chain game. Results demonstrated that both types of contrasts reduced participants’ reliance on the decision aids. Hence, when encouraging users to rely on a decision aid, one should consider the experience-based contrast effects and use them carefully. The implications from this work can contribute to our understanding of the role of experience-based contrast effect when relying on a decision aid.