Conscious versus Unconscious Processing in Dynamic Decision Making Tasks

Abstract

Recent research suggests that unconscious processing is superior to conscious processing in tasks involving many decision alternatives (Dijksterhuis et al., 2006). One explanation for these findings is the limited information processing capacity of the human working memory and the almost unlimited resources of unconscious processing. The current study further investigates this topic by using more complex tasks than previously used, i.e., two complex, dynamic, and transparent tasks. Contrary to previous findings, instructions for conscious processing led to better performance in the more complex task. Results are explained referring to methodological reasons and to literature on metacognition. Besides the theoretical relevance, findings could be relevant for training programs on dynamic decision making.