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Do People Willfully Ignore Decision Support? Evidence from an Online Experiment

Author

Listed:
  • Katharina Momsen

    (Compass Lexecon, 10719 Berlin, Germany)

  • Sebastian Bachler

    (Department of Banking and Finance, University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria)

  • Stefan Haeussler

    (Department of Information Systems, Production and Logistics Management, University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria)

  • Matthias Stefan

    (Department of Banking and Finance, University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria)

Abstract

The increasing utilization of decision support systems typically hinges on the assumption that objective information provision can improve decision making. However, this premise disregards the potential for humans to deliberately ignore information in a manner that serves their own interests. We study willful information avoidance in the utilization of decision support through an online experiment where participants solve a task of high cognitive complexity, that is, a knapsack problem. In our experiment, we find evidence consistent with motivated reasoning in one of two dimensions: Although participants do not willfully ignore decision support when it might suggest revising their initial choices, our experimental results suggest that they avoid information that could tempt them to act selfishly. We discuss the interpretation that participants use decision support to self-commit to more prosocial choices and alternative explanations. Our results reveal that even objective information provision in decision support is no guarantee for its unbiased uptake and usage.

Suggested Citation

  • Katharina Momsen & Sebastian Bachler & Stefan Haeussler & Matthias Stefan, 2026. "Do People Willfully Ignore Decision Support? Evidence from an Online Experiment," Decision Analysis, INFORMS, vol. 23(1), pages 28-45, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:inm:ordeca:v:23:y:2026:i:1:p:28-45
    DOI: 10.1287/deca.2025.0349
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    References listed on IDEAS

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