A test of the decision-time predictions of the 'Take the Best' model

Abstract

The “take the best” model of decision making proposes that people make decisions by sequentially searching amongst cues for one that best discriminates between the options being assessed. The search process starts with the best cue and proceeds in descending order of cue validity until one is found that differentiates between the options. It follows, therefore, that the more cues a person is required to use, the longer it will take to make a decision. This study explored the relationship between response time and the number of cues needed to answer a binary choice question correctly. Participants were asked a series of questions about mammals and their response times were recorded. Results support the hypothesis that response time increases as the number of cues required increases. This gives further evidence that a sequential search is occurring during binary-choice decision-making.