Abstract
In two studies, we examined the influence of behavioral inhibition system (BIS) and need for closure (NFC) on information processing in decision making. We expected that BIS would regulate behavior in a decisional context and that this relationship would be mediated by epistemic motivation expressed by NFC. In addition, drawing on contradictory findings in the literature on anxiety, NFC, and information processing, we investigated the moderating role of decision rules. The results supported our predictions. BIS was strongly and positively related to NFC, and through NFC it was related to decision-making style. Moreover, decision task characteristics moderated the relationship between NFC and decision making. When a task did not offer a confident decision rule, high NFC participants prolonged the information search more than low NFC individuals. However, when a reliable strategy was suggested, high NFC participants behaved in line with it. These results are discussed within an uncertainty management framework.
Highlights
In two studies, we examined the influence of behavioral inhibition system (BIS) and need for closure (NFC) on information processing in decision making
Uncertainty can cause people to postpone decisions until the uncertainty is resolved, which shows that quick judgment is not a preferred option when feeling uncertain (Shafir 1994). Drawing on these contradictory findings, in the present paper, we investigated whether decision task characteristics may act as possible moderators of decision making style when BIS is activated
Despite the fact that in previous studies NFC was usually related to simplified information processing (Choi et al 2008; Kruglanski and Freund 1983), in our study in the round without costs of information (FW) high NFC individuals engaged in an information search to a greater extent than low NFC individuals
Summary
We examined the influence of behavioral inhibition system (BIS) and need for closure (NFC) on information processing in decision making. Other studies have demonstrated a relationship between individual differences in anxiety and reactions to uncertainty (Hirsh and Inzlicht 2008; Knyazev et al 2005) These results show that uncertainty is an aversive and stressful experience, which is positively related to anxiety controlled by BIS. As decision making involves evaluation of conflicting, risky or novel choices and is inherently associated with uncertainty, BIS may play a role in this process. Uncertainty can cause people to postpone decisions until the uncertainty is resolved, which shows that quick judgment is not a preferred option when feeling uncertain (Shafir 1994) Drawing on these contradictory findings, in the present paper, we investigated whether decision task characteristics may act as possible moderators of decision making style when BIS is activated
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