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Not governed by chance: Flipping a coin to make own decisions
Thesis (Dissertationen, Habilitationen) |
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ID |
4611079 |
Author |
Douneva, Maria |
Author at UniBasel |
Douneva, Maria
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Year |
2020 |
Title |
Not governed by chance: Flipping a coin to make own decisions |
Type of Thesis |
Dissertation |
Start of thesis |
01.09.2016 |
End of thesis |
27.08.2020 |
Name of University |
University of Basel |
Name of Faculty |
Fakultät für Psychologie |
Supervisor(s) / Fachvertreter/in |
Greifeneder, Rainer
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Abstract |
This dissertation focuses on the peculiar phenomenon of flipping a coin to decide but then making a decision independent of the coin flip. Many people have encountered this catalyst phenomenon in their lives, but a scientific explanation has been lacking so far. Previous research has focused on coin flips as deciders, meaning it is assumed that people will always do what the coin suggests. I paint a more nuanced picture and do not simply equate using chance with avoidance. Instead, I suggest (based on my own and previous research) that the appeal of the coin as a catalyst lies in its ability to simultaneously satisfy two needs: the motivation to obtain a particular outcome while reducing felt responsibility for the process of obtaining it. My dissertation thereby explains a decision-making phenomenon that has long been subsumed under choice avoidance or as a consequence of decision aversion. Empirically, I show that a coin flip suggesting how to decide rarely influences the decisions people make, thereby allowing for autonomous decision making, but that it critically influences feelings and information related to the decision-making process. |
edoc-URL |
https://edoc.unibas.ch/78412/ |
Full Text on edoc |
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02/05/2024
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