Suppose 600 cancer patients have identical diagnoses.The patients are separated into two groups of 300 and asked the following questions regarding a potentially beneficial radiation therapy treatment.
The first group was given the following statement and then asked the following question: "Statistically,950 out of every 1,000 cancer patients survive more than two years following the radiation treatment.Would you be willing to undergo the radiation treatment?"
The second group was given the following statement and then asked the following question: "Statistically,50 out of every 1,000 cancer patients die within the two years following the radiation treatment.Would you be willing to undergo the radiation treatment?"
Suppose that 78 percent of the patients in the first group answered yes and that 31 percent of the patients in the second group answered yes.Because the first statement that was given to both groups essentially states the same statistical fact in a different way,the significant difference in the answers recorded for each group is likely an example of a ________ effect in decision-making.
A) placebo
B) Taylorian
C) utilitarian
D) wording
E) framing

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The significant difference in the answers recorded for each group is likely an example of a framing effect in decision-making, wherein the wording or framing of a question or statement can influence people's decision or response. The first group was framed positively by emphasizing the survival rate, while the second group was framed negatively by emphasizing the death rate. This difference in framing resulted in a significant difference in the percentage of patients who answered yes.

Suppose 600 Cancer Patients Have Identical Diagnoses