Priester, J. R., Dholakia, U. M., & Fleming, M. A. (2004). When and why the background contrast effect emerges: thought engenders meaning by influencing the perception of applicability.
The Background Contrast Effect occurs when the trade-off value between attributes in a first choice influences subsequent choice. We explore the role of decision-making thoughtfulness in seeking to understand when and why this effect occurs. Experiments 1 and 2 provide evidence that the Background Contrast Effect emerges more under thoughtful than under nonthoughtful conditions. Experiment 3 reveals that thought influences perceptions of applicability of the ...