| dc.description.abstract | An emerging body of evidence suggests that brief debiasing training can make small but meaningful improvements in judgment and decision making. For example, recent studies have shown that training graph literacy (i.e., the ability to understand graphical representations) may reduce cognitive biases. However, it is unknown whether training graph literacy may also transfer to improve other aspects of decision making more generally. To test this hypothesis, I developed a 30-minute lecture-based graph literacy training program focused on icon arrays, using weather-related examples. I then conducted an experiment testing a cognitive model of the cascading benefits of training across graph literacy, cognitive biases, risk literacy, and informed decision making. Path analyses revealed that the training causally improved graph literacy, which reduced multiple cognitive biases (i.e., framing bias, ratio bias), appropriately boosted people’s confidence, improved people’s ability to understand risk communications without visual aids, and promoted more informed decision making about health. Although the decision benefits were modest, nearly everyone benefited from the training regardless of their cognitive abilities. Participants also reported that the training was easy to use and was as satisfying as an established training program on financial literacy. Discussion focuses on theoretical and practical implications, and potential limitations. | en_US |
