%0 Journal Article %1 WALLSTEN1993 %A WALLSTEN, T. S. %A BUDESCU, D. V. %A ZWICK, R. %A KEMP, S. M. %D 1993 %J BULLETIN OF THE PSYCHONOMIC SOCIETY %K Ri %N 2 %P 135--138 %T PREFERENCES AND REASONS FOR COMMUNICATING PROBABILISTIC INFORMATION IN VERBAL OR NUMERICAL TERMS %V 31 %X Despite much disagreement regarding how probabilistic information is best communicated, virtually no research has been done to determine what communication modes people prefer or what factors affect their communication preferences. To address these issues, we did a survey of 442 graduate and undergraduate students in several specialties and universities. Some group differences emerged, but overall, 34% expressed preference for both conveying and receiving information about uncertainty in numerical rather than verbal form, 30% expressed the opposite preferences, and 35% indicated that they preferred to receive such information numerically but to convey it verbally. Generally, respondents who endorsed the use of verbal information said that it is easier to use, as well as more natural and personal. Those preferring numerical information said that it is more precise. Virtually all respondents, however, evidenced a willingness to use the opposite of their initially preferred mode if the situation should warrant it. The willingness to switch from one mode to another was said to depend on the level of precision implied by the data and the importance of the issue, as was suggested by Budescu and Wallsten (1987). These results may be helpful in structuring risk communication strategies.

@article{WALLSTEN1993, abstract = {Despite much disagreement regarding how probabilistic information is best communicated, virtually no research has been done to determine what communication modes people prefer or what factors affect their communication preferences. To address these issues, we did a survey of 442 graduate and undergraduate students in several specialties and universities. Some group differences emerged, but overall, 34% expressed preference for both conveying and receiving information about uncertainty in numerical rather than verbal form, 30% expressed the opposite preferences, and 35% indicated that they preferred to receive such information numerically but to convey it verbally. Generally, respondents who endorsed the use of verbal information said that it is easier to use, as well as more natural and personal. Those preferring numerical information said that it is more precise. Virtually all respondents, however, evidenced a willingness to use the opposite of their initially preferred mode if the situation should warrant it. The willingness to switch from one mode to another was said to depend on the level of precision implied by the data and the importance of the issue, as was suggested by Budescu and Wallsten (1987). These results may be helpful in structuring risk communication strategies.}, added-at = {2009-10-13T14:06:45.000+0200}, author = {WALLSTEN, T. S. and BUDESCU, D. V. and ZWICK, R. and KEMP, S. M.}, biburl = {https://www.bibsonomy.org/bibtex/22c4773b343fb48042c4ddeb6d8bc14da/schultem}, interhash = {a0164abef946679fd3b9a5a6319cdd0a}, intrahash = {2c4773b343fb48042c4ddeb6d8bc14da}, journal = {BULLETIN OF THE PSYCHONOMIC SOCIETY}, keywords = {Ri}, number = 2, owner = {Michael}, pages = {135--138}, timestamp = {2009-10-13T14:06:58.000+0200}, title = {PREFERENCES AND REASONS FOR COMMUNICATING PROBABILISTIC INFORMATION IN VERBAL OR NUMERICAL TERMS}, volume = 31, year = 1993 }