Engelmann, D and Strobel, M (2004) The False Consensus Effect: Deconstruction and Reconstruction of an Anomaly.
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We present a striking example of the deconstruction and reconstruction or an anomaly. In line with previous experiments we show in a one-shot setting that the allegedly robust false consensus effect disappears if representative information is readily available. But the effect reappears if a small cognitive effort is required to retrieve the information. Most subjects apparently ignore valuable information if it is not handed to them on a silver platter. We conclude that the relevance of the false consensus effect depends on the difficulty of the information retrieval and that the underlying mechanisms is an information processing deficiency rather than egocentricity. Moreover, we discuss the potential relevance of our findings for other well-known effects like the winner's curse and overconfidence.
This is a Submitted version This version's date is: 10/10/2004 This item is not peer reviewed
https://repository.royalholloway.ac.uk/items/1aced6ad-8894-8120-efef-f313e2c5a61b/3/
Deposited by Research Information System (atira) on 24-Jul-2012 in Royal Holloway Research Online.Last modified on 24-Jul-2012