Predicting the evaluation of real stimulus objects from abstract evaluation of their attributes: The case of trout streams

Abstract

Studied human judgment behavior in 10 employees of Iowa trout hatcheries. In Phase 1 Ss judged hypothetical trout streams varying in quantity of trout and driving time to stream. In Phase 2 Ss judged real Iowa trout streams and estimated the quantity of trout and the driving time for each stream. These estimates were used in multiple regression equations, derived from the data in Phase 1, to predict the ratings of the real streams in Phase 2. Correlations between predicted and observed judgments ranged from .37 (individual S level) to .85 (group level). Results are consistent with empirical work in the number processing and nonexperimental work in geography and other spatially oriented sciences. (17 ref) (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved)