ABSTRACT
Until recently most models of decision making shared a basic underlying assumption: That information is used by decision makers as the basis for choosing from among alternative courses of action. However, this assumption has come into question of late. A number of researchers report considerable variation in the degree to which decision makers actively review, analyze, and then use the information to which they have been exposed (Isen, 1984; Langer, 1989; Wofford & Goodwin, 1990; Wright & Bower, 1992). Establishing a thorough understanding of this variability in information use is important for accurate decision modeling and theory development, and, from a more pragmatic perspective, for managing and improving decision processes. Image theory, a description model of decision making recently introduced by Beach and Mitchell, shows promise in this regard. Specifically, perceptions of image compatibility, a central component of their theory (defined in more detail below), may be related to variation in information use. The purpose of the current study was to examine this potential relationship in a task involving resource allocation decisions.
