Making Complex Decisions: Unconscious or Online Processes?

ABSTRACT MAKING COMPLEX DECISIONS: UNCONSCIOUS OR ONLINE PROCESSES? by Jamie Kiss Master of Arts in Psychology Psychological Science Option California State University, Chico Summer 2010 Previous studies (Dijksterhuis, 2004; Dijksterhuis et al., 2006) suggest that complex decisions are best when left for the unconscious to decide; however, there is a great deal of criticism and a lack of supporting evidence for unconscious decisionmaking. This investigation was designed to clear up the uncertainty about unconscious decision-making. One hundred-sixty undergraduates were asked to either memorize characteristics or form an impression of four cars. They were asked to rate each car either immediately or after a three-minute period in which they engaged in one of three modes of thought. Results revealed that the difference in instruction had an effect on decisionmaking; however, no support was found for unconscious decision-making. It is suggested that decisions were made online, as information was coming into working memory. The exact mental processes that occur during complex decision-making are still unclear.