Rigidity in Decision Behaviors: A Within-Subject Test of Information Acquisition Using Strategic and Financial Informational Cues

Abstract

In contrast to prior investigations using between-subjects designs to infer the existence of rigidity in decision behaviors, this research used a within-subject design to directly measure rigidity. We also extended previous examinations by distinguishing between semantic and episodic informational cues. Finally, we used a computer process-tracing technique that allows validity assessments of tests and keeps researcher intrusion to a minimum. Our results, based on data from three different groups of business analysts and two studies, suggest the inappropriate-ness of arguing that individuals show either exclusively rigid or non-rigid decision behaviors.