Lab Conscious

Maya Leshkowitz
How do people make decisions based on complex multidimensional observations? This project examines two methods of decision-making from experience – using individual observations or groups of observations (corresponding, for example to attributes). To illustrate, when evaluating the service in a restaurant we might use our experience in the restaurant, or first group our experience by the waiter, and evaluate the waiters before deciding on the restaurant. Our findings lead us to propose a theory of decision-making from multidimensional information. We explore how principles of salience, relevance, and cognitive ease determine whether grouping occurs or not and what dimensions are used for grouping.