Strategies in Decision Making

Academic Level at Time of Presentation

Junior

Major

Psychology

Minor

Sociology

List all Project Mentors & Advisor(s)

Dr. Esther Malm

Presentation Format

Oral Presentation

Abstract/Description

Purpose

Societal inequalities are a constant feature of every human culture. Culture and the mindset of any people group are rooted in expectations, and norms set by individuals and society at large. For instance, India is a culturally diverse country that shares many beliefs and religions. Since ancient India, men were responsible for earning, while women were in charge of raising children and homekeeping (Herklotz, 2017). However, gender role differences vary widely between Indians and Americans. Using a cross-cultural comparison approach, this study seeks to examine the decision-making process in two broad areas: travel decisions (travel out of town, at night, and schooling abroad), and choosing a partner. This study would compare the views of three people groups: Indians in India, Indians in America, and Americans on these two constructs. Also, considering that culture plays a significant role in attitudes and perceptions, three cultural dimensions - power distance, femininity-masculinity, and individualist-collectivist - will be examined in relation to the two constructs. It is therefore hypothesized that

  1. Indians in India will have stronger gender differences in decision-making compared to Indians in America followed by Americans.

  2. The three cultural dimensions would mediate the relationship between each participant group's perspectives by gender differences and decision-making (choosing a partner, and travel decisions).

  3. The three cultural dimensions would moderate the relationship between each participant group's perspectives by gender differences and decision-making (choosing a partner, and travel decisions).

Procedure

The proposed sample size for this study is 450 (150 Indians in India, 150 Indians in America, and 150 Americans) with a minimum sample size being 400 (medium effect size, 95% CI; GPower 3.1.9.2; Faul et al. 2009). Two avenues are being used to recruit participants: social media (focusing primarily on Indians in America), and Prolific (focusing primarily on Indians, Indians in America, and Americans). Participants who consent complete a series of questions related to the study. After completion of the survey, participants will be directed to a debriefing page.

Results

Data is currently being collected (IRB#23-045). When data collection is complete, the data would be cleaned and analyzed. For hypothesis 1, ANOVA would be used to examine gender differences across the three people groups by each outcome. For hypotheses 2 and 3, a series of mediation and moderation models would be run for each outcome in comparison to the three people groups.

Implications

Findings would have practical implications including increasing awareness of the influence of culture on our perception, understanding, attitudes, and behaviors.

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Strategies in Decision Making

Purpose

Societal inequalities are a constant feature of every human culture. Culture and the mindset of any people group are rooted in expectations, and norms set by individuals and society at large. For instance, India is a culturally diverse country that shares many beliefs and religions. Since ancient India, men were responsible for earning, while women were in charge of raising children and homekeeping (Herklotz, 2017). However, gender role differences vary widely between Indians and Americans. Using a cross-cultural comparison approach, this study seeks to examine the decision-making process in two broad areas: travel decisions (travel out of town, at night, and schooling abroad), and choosing a partner. This study would compare the views of three people groups: Indians in India, Indians in America, and Americans on these two constructs. Also, considering that culture plays a significant role in attitudes and perceptions, three cultural dimensions - power distance, femininity-masculinity, and individualist-collectivist - will be examined in relation to the two constructs. It is therefore hypothesized that

  1. Indians in India will have stronger gender differences in decision-making compared to Indians in America followed by Americans.

  2. The three cultural dimensions would mediate the relationship between each participant group's perspectives by gender differences and decision-making (choosing a partner, and travel decisions).

  3. The three cultural dimensions would moderate the relationship between each participant group's perspectives by gender differences and decision-making (choosing a partner, and travel decisions).

Procedure

The proposed sample size for this study is 450 (150 Indians in India, 150 Indians in America, and 150 Americans) with a minimum sample size being 400 (medium effect size, 95% CI; GPower 3.1.9.2; Faul et al. 2009). Two avenues are being used to recruit participants: social media (focusing primarily on Indians in America), and Prolific (focusing primarily on Indians, Indians in America, and Americans). Participants who consent complete a series of questions related to the study. After completion of the survey, participants will be directed to a debriefing page.

Results

Data is currently being collected (IRB#23-045). When data collection is complete, the data would be cleaned and analyzed. For hypothesis 1, ANOVA would be used to examine gender differences across the three people groups by each outcome. For hypotheses 2 and 3, a series of mediation and moderation models would be run for each outcome in comparison to the three people groups.

Implications

Findings would have practical implications including increasing awareness of the influence of culture on our perception, understanding, attitudes, and behaviors.