Question

In a 1997 experiment, participants were first asked whether the Indian leader Mahatma Gandhi died before or after a certain age, then were asked to guess the precise age at which Gandhi died. People who were first asked whether or not Gandhi died at age 9 gave an estimate (50 years) much lower on average than those who were first asked whether or not he died at age 140 (67 years). This experiment is a perfect example ofthe anchoring effect

The initial question anchored participants' subsequent judgments of Gandhi's precise age at his death.

Answer 1

Step-by-step explanation:

The experiment described in the question is indeed a perfect example of the anchoring effect. The anchoring effect is a cognitive bias that occurs when individuals rely too heavily on the initial piece of information they receive (the anchor) when making subsequent judgments or decisions.

In this experiment, the researchers manipulated the initial anchor by asking participants whether Mahatma Gandhi died before or after a certain age. By providing different age anchors (9 years and 140 years), the researchers influenced participants' subsequent estimates of Gandhi's precise age at his death.

The participants who were first asked whether Gandhi died at age 9 were likely to anchor their subsequent judgments around that lower age. As a result, their estimates of Gandhi's age at his death were much lower on average (50 years).

On the other hand, the participants who were first asked whether Gandhi died at age 140 were likely to anchor their subsequent judgments around that higher age. Consequently, their estimates of Gandhi's age at his death were higher on average (67 years).

This experiment demonstrates how the initial anchor influenced participants' subsequent judgments, even though the anchor itself was unrelated to the actual age at which Gandhi died. The anchoring effect highlights the tendency of individuals to rely on the first piece of information they receive, which can lead to biased decision-making or judgments.

To summarize, the anchoring effect refers to the tendency to rely too heavily on the initial piece of information (the anchor) when making subsequent judgments or decisions. The experiment described in the question demonstrates how the initial question about Gandhi's age influenced participants' estimates of his precise age at his death, even though the anchor was unrelated to the actual age.

Answer 2

Anchoring bias is a cognitive bias where the first piece of information (the anchor) affects subsequent judgments. This bias can lead to irrational judgments and impact the interpretation of statistical data, such as life expectancy and age estimates in historical mortality studies. Society's views on aging are also subject to biases and personal beliefs.

Step-by-step explanation:

Anchoring Bias and Its Effects

Anchoring bias is a cognitive bias that describes our tendency to rely on an initial piece of information, or an anchor, when making decisions. This anchor impacts subsequent judgments and estimates we make, even if the initial information is unrelated to the decision at hand. For instance, Tversky and Kahneman's experiment with a random number wheel showed that participants provided estimates for the number of African nations in the United Nations that were influenced by the arbitrary number spun on the wheel. This tendency can also interfere with more complex statistical reasoning, leading to irrational judgments due to the influence of an inserted anchor in a question.

Mortality studies and life expectancy estimates can also be subject to biases, such as the age mimicry effect, where paleodemographic methods may underestimate older adult ages because of the young age composition in reference samples. These biases can obscure the understanding of mortality patterns in historical populations, like those during the Black Death. Contemporary views on age and aging are also influenced by societal constructs and personal beliefs, exemplified by differing opinions on when someone is considered 'old' across generations.