What Determines Behavioral Decisions? Comparing the Role of Covariation Information and Attributions

Abstract

This study investigated whether behavioral decisions (e.g., persistence, help seeking) are influenced by covariation information and if this influence is mediated by attributions. In Experiment 1, participants belonging to different age groups received covariation information, and causal attributions as well as behavioral-reaction decisions were assessed. Experiment 1 replicated the often-documented influence of covariation information on attributions. Furthermore, it revealed that covariation information affects behavioral decisions more strongly, and developmentally earlier, than do attributions. In Experiment 2, participants were provided with conflicting covariation information and attributions. Covariation information had a stronger impact on reaction decisions than attributions. Experiment 3 again provided participants with covariation information and assessed attributions and behavioral choices, as well as reaction times. Participants provided with covariation information needed less time to choose behavioral reactions than to choose attributions. We conclude that behavioral decisions can be directly determined by covariation information without attributional mediation.

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