Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/149206 
Year of Publication: 
2016
Series/Report no.: 
IZA Discussion Papers No. 10347
Publisher: 
Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA), Bonn
Abstract: 
In this study we test predictions from Unconscious Thought Theory (UTT) that unconscious thought will lead to better decision making in complex decision tasks relative to conscious thought. Different from prior work testing this prediction, we use a method of manipulating conscious and unconscious thinking that is free from distraction. Specifically, we use a 3-week protocol to experimentally induce adverse sleep and circadian states, both of which should reduce deliberative, conscious thinking and therefore increase the relative importance of more automatic unconscious processes. Our findings fail to support UTT predictions and instead coalesce with other replication attempts that cast doubt on the superiority of unconscious processing in complex decision making.
Subjects: 
sleep restriction
circadian
complex decisions
decision making
unconscious reasoning
sleep
experiments
behavioral economics
JEL: 
C91
D03
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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