Schwind Et Al Study - HL (cognitive)

Question 1

Schwind Et Al Study - HL (cognitive)

Aim

Answer 1

To determine if preference-inconsistent recommendations that do not originate from other people, but just a computer, can reduce confirmation bias, influence preference strengths and encourage divergent thinking.

Question 2

Schwind Et Al Study - HL (cognitive)

Procedure

Answer 2

• Approx 100 German university students
• Phase 1: Read about neuro-enhancement and answered questions in order to determine their opinion
• Phase 2: List of 8 neuro-enhancement arguments appeared on the screen according to their group
• Control group: List appeared without any emphasis
  
  • Group 1: List appeared with a “recommendation” consistent with their POV determined by phase 1
  • Group 2: List appeared with a “recommandation” inconsistent with their POV determined by phase 1
• All groups had to indicate which article that they would like to read (articles were actually fake and not available)
• Phase 3: Asked to complete a free recall task of eight arguments on the list
• Wrote a paragraph supporting their own POV regarding neuro-enhancement using any information they wanted from the eight arguments on the list

Question 3

Schwind Et Al Study - HL (cognitive)

Findings

Answer 3

• Control condition: Participants showed preference (wanted to read) articles that aligned with their POV, demonstrating confirmation bias
• Group 1 (POV consistent recommendation):
  
  • Participants also showed preference for POV aligned articles
• Group 2 (POV -inconsistent recommendation): In free recall, participants could recall more arguments than were consistent with their beliefs than the group who received a preference-consistent recommandation
  
  • Participants had more novel arguments condition
• Overall quantity of recall between groups do not differ, just the type of recall differed
• Support the use of technology to reduce confirmation bias by presenting preference-inconsistent arguments
• Can be both positive/negative

Question 4

Schwind Et Al Study - HL (cognitive)

Limitations

Answer 4

• Sampling bias: Only german university students were used in the study (very specific group)
  
  • Study only looked at short-term effects, interesting to know if it influenced their bias long-term

Question 5

Schwind Et Al Study - HL (cognitive)

Ethical Considerations

Answer 5

• Use of inducement: Students received a payment or course credit for participation in the study (amount not specified)

Question 6

Schwind Et Al Study - HL (cognitive)

Research Method

Answer 6

Experiment