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Satisficing in Hypothesis Generation

Garst, Jennifer, Kerr, Norbert L., Harris, Susan E., Sheppard, Lori A. (2002) Satisficing in Hypothesis Generation. The American Journal of Psychology, 115 (4). pp. 475-500. ISSN 0002-9556. (doi:10.2307/1423524) (The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided) (KAR id:42447)

The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided.
Official URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/1423524

Abstract

Research in hypothesis generation suggests that people might act as satisficers and be less likely to generate plausible alternative hypotheses when they already have a hypothesis that accounts for the data in hand. Three experiments simulated scientific hypothesis development. In all 3, participants who had been given a hypothesis consistent with available data generated proportionally fewer of the simplest alternative hypotheses than participants given no such satisficing hypothesis. Furthermore, participant satisficing occurred regardless of whether the provided hypothesis was generated a priori or post hoc and despite high incentives for completeness. Limitations and implications of these findings are discussed for hypothesis development and the practice of taking post hoc hypotheses suggested by one's results and presenting them as a priori hypotheses.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.2307/1423524
Subjects: B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Human and Social Sciences > School of Psychology
Depositing User: M.L. Barnoux
Date Deposited: 19 Aug 2014 12:58 UTC
Last Modified: 16 Nov 2021 10:16 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/42447 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

University of Kent Author Information

Kerr, Norbert L..

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