Effects of processing style on responsiveness to affective stimuli and processing fluency

Abstract

In the present study, we provide direct evidence for effects of global versus local processing on responsiveness to and reliance on affective information in judgement and decision-making. Results of Experiments 1 and 2 showed an increased responsiveness to affective stimuli among participants in a global processing mode. Experiment 3 showed similar effects for processing fluency; participants adopting a global processing style showed an increased reliance on fluency. Experiment 4 replicated our findings in a more mundane judgement task in which participants judged apartments. We discuss our findings in relation to the distinction between intuitive versus deliberative modes of thinking.

Keywords:

• Global versus local processing style
• Processing fluency
• Affective reaction
• Intuition
• Judgement and decision-making

We thank Jose Kerstholt for her input in the early stages of this research.

We thank Jose Kerstholt for her input in the early stages of this research.

Notes

¹ Patterns stayed virtually the same in all tests when including all participants.