Proportional reasoning, framing effects, and affirmative action: Is six of one really half a dozen of another in university admissions?

@article{citeulike:366754, abstract = {People often reason proportionally, perceiving fixed outcomes as larger or smaller depending upon the reference condition. Thus, for policies affecting individuals, presenting data as percentages rather than frequencies can alter perceived effects on high versus low base rate group members, even though identical numbers of individuals in each group are affected. Such numerical framing effects were explored through a case analysis of public debates over race-conscious selection policies and through experimental manipulations employing a race-conscious university admissions scenario. Undergraduates (N = 193) received data reporting the expected impact on black and white student enrollment resulting from a university shift to race-neutral admissions. Compared to those encountering percentages or proportions, participants receiving identical information expressed as frequencies revealed a predicted greater preference for race-neutral or "race blind" admissions. Structural equation analysis supported a model in which perceived impact and fairness mediated the relationship between format and endorsement of race-neutral admissions.}, author = {Friedrich, James and Lucas, Gale and Hodell, Emily }, citeulike-article-id = {366754}, doi = {10.1016/j.obhdp.2005.06.002}, journal = {Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes}, keywords = {format-effect, framing, frequencies, probabilities, reasoning}, month = {November}, number = {2}, pages = {195--215}, posted-at = {2005-10-27 15:22:14}, priority = {2}, title = {Proportional reasoning, framing effects, and affirmative action: Is six of one really half a dozen of another in university admissions?}, url = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.obhdp.2005.06.002}, volume = {98}, year = {2005} }

TY - JOUR ID - citeulike:366754 L3 - citeulike-article-id:366754 TI - Proportional reasoning, framing effects, and affirmative action: Is six of one really half a dozen of another in university admissions? JF - Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes VL - 98 IS - 2 SP - 195 EP - 215 N2 - People often reason proportionally, perceiving fixed outcomes as larger or smaller depending upon the reference condition. Thus, for policies affecting individuals, presenting data as percentages rather than frequencies can alter perceived effects on high versus low base rate group members, even though identical numbers of individuals in each group are affected. Such numerical framing effects were explored through a case analysis of public debates over race-conscious selection policies and through experimental manipulations employing a race-conscious university admissions scenario. Undergraduates (N = 193) received data reporting the expected impact on black and white student enrollment resulting from a university shift to race-neutral admissions. Compared to those encountering percentages or proportions, participants receiving identical information expressed as frequencies revealed a predicted greater preference for race-neutral or "race blind" admissions. Structural equation analysis supported a model in which perceived impact and fairness mediated the relationship between format and endorsement of race-neutral admissions. KW - format-effect KW - framing KW - frequencies KW - probabilities KW - reasoning AU - Friedrich, James AU - Lucas, Gale AU - Hodell, Emily PY - 2005/11// UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.obhdp.2005.06.002 ER -