Sequencing actions: an information-search study of tradeoffs of priorities against spatiotemporal constraints

Scand J Psychol. 1996 Sep;37(3):282-93. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-9450.1996.tb00660.x.

Abstract

How people choose between sequences of actions was investigated in an everyday errand-planning task. In this task subjects chose the preferred sequence of performing a number of errands in a fictitious environment. Two experiments were conducted with undergraduate students serving as subjects. One group searched information about each alternative. The same information was directly available to another group. In Experiment 1 the results showed that for two errands subjects took into account all attributes describing the errands, thus suggesting a tradeoff between priority, wait time, and travel distance with priority being the most important. Consistent with this finding predominantly intraalternative information search was observed. These results were replicated in Experiment 2 for three errands. In addition choice outcomes, information search, and sequence of responding suggested that for more than two actions sequence choices are made in stages.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Decision Making*
  • Distance Perception
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Imagination
  • Male
  • Motivation
  • Orientation*
  • Problem Solving*
  • Social Environment
  • Students / psychology
  • Time Perception*