One Group of Participants Is Instructed to Imagine a Cat

question 24

Multiple Choice

One group of participants is instructed to imagine a cat and the participants are then asked several yes/no questions about their image. A second group of participants is instructed simply to think about cats, with no mention of imagery, and the participants are then asked the same yes/no questions. We expect that participants responding on the basis of the image will respond more quickly to which of the following questions?

• A) Does the cat have a head?
• B) Does the cat have whiskers?
• C) Is the cat a mammal?
• D) Does the cat have claws?

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Definitions:

Objectively

In a manner that is not influenced by personal feelings or opinions, based on facts.

Signaling Theory

A theory that explains how individuals or businesses convey information about themselves to differentiate from others, particularly in contexts of asymmetrical information.

Education

The process of facilitating learning, or the acquisition of knowledge, skills, values, beliefs, and habits through various means such as teaching, training, storytelling, and discussion.

Productivity

The efficiency with which inputs, such as labor and capital, are converted into outputs, or goods and services.