[INSTRUCTION FOR THE IF-THEN TASK]

Name:

sex: Male Female

age:

This is a study in simple decision making. The task given to you consists of two problem series. On the following pages, you will be asked to make choices on each problem series. Please do not discuss the instructions with your neighbors. We ask that you hold all questions/comments until after everyone has completed the experiment. First, we will explain on the decision task of the first problem series. On the task of the second problem series, we would like to explain after the first experiment finishes perfectly. Before you read the following instruction, please write your name and your sex, and your age if you have no objection, in the column of the upper right-hand. Do not turn the page except this and the next of pages with instructions until the experimenter tells everyone to start.

Before you begin the task, we would like to explain the procedure by going through two practice figures for Example 1 and Example 2 as shown below. All the problems in this experiment will be presented in this format. In this figure, your choice alternatives are either I or II. The other person's choice alternatives are either A or B. The two numbers in each box within the figure are the points for yourself (left numeral points) and the other player (right numeral points).

Example 1

                 other

             A         B
          -------------------
          |        |         | 
     I    |  6   6 |  5   1  |
self      -------------------- 
          |        |         |
     II   |  1   5 |  3   3  |
          -------------------- 
          

             self   other       -------
                                |      |  
              I   ->   A        |  I   | 
                                |      |
             II   ->   A        |  II  |
                                |      |
                                --------

Here is the way to read the figure. If you choose the alternative I and the other person chooses the alternative A, both you and the other person receive {6} points, respectively. This outcome is indicated by the upper left-hand box {6,6} in Example 1. When you choose alternative I and the other person chooses the alternative B, then you will get {5} and the other person will get {1}. Suppose that you choose II and the other person chooses B, both you and the other person will receive {3}, as indicated by the lower right-hand box {3,3}. As you can see, your points will always be the left-hand number in each of the four boxes and the other person's points will always be the right-hand number in these boxes.

Now, suppose that the other person is permitted to make his/her choice, either A or B, after you have made your choice between I and II. On each problem, you win be given information about the strategy of the other person in the form of an "if-then statement." For example, the sign I -> A below the figure tells you that "If you choose 1, then the other person will be sure to choose A." Similarly, the sign II-> A says that "If you choose II, then the other person will definitely choose A." Given this information about the other person's strategy, the only two boxes that are possible for you and the other person contain the points {6} for you and {6} for the other, or the points {1} for you and {5} for the other. Under these conditions, which alternative would you like to choose, I or II? Very simple task! For each problem, please record your choice by circling either I or II in the square enclosed by a thick line. For practice, please mark your choice in Example 1 now. Do not circle more than one alternative for each problem!

Let us try another sample problem. In the figure for Example 2 as shown below, notice that signs I -> B and II -> B are different from the first example. In this problem, only the boxes {3,5} or {1,1} are possible for you and the other person. Since the other person will select B regardless of what you do, if you choose I, then you will get the point {3} and the other person will get {5}; if you choose II, then you will get {1} and also the other person will get {1}. Under these conditions, which alternative would you prefer, I or II? Please circle your response for Example 2 in the square enclosed by a thick line.

Example 2

                 other

             A         B
          -------------------
          |        |         | 
     I    |  2   2 |  3   5  |
self      -------------------- 
          |        |         |
     II   |  5   3 |  1   1  |
          -------------------- 
          

             self   other       -------
                                |      |  
              I   ->   A        |  I   | 
                                |      |
             II   ->   A        |  II  |
                                |      |
                                --------

In this task, there will be 32 problems in each of which you will be asked to make a single choice. Suppose that the other person will not be the same for each problem. Pretend as if you are playing with 32 different people (ie., a new person for each problem). Remember that there is no "right" or "wrong" response in this experiment. Please study the figures carefully before making your choices. Remember also that your points are always the number on the left of the appropriate box and the other's points are the number on the right.

Please do each task orderly from 1) to 32). When you finish to respond to all those problems, please wait a few minutes without turning over the next pages until the all members finish the first task. Do you have any question?

Now, we would like to explain the task of the second problem series. The second task is very similar to the first problem series. The procedure for responding on the response sheet is essentially the same to the first task, though the problem series are different with each other between the two tasks. However, there is the following essential difference between them in the experimental conditions. In the first task, as instructed to you, the other person was different for each problem. Suppose that the other person is the same person all through the task series in this second experiment. Who the other person is would be indicated by the experimenter as one of the persons belonging to either or the following three types. That is:

1) [CONDITION T]
The other person means your spouse or your sweetheart.

2) [CONDITION H]
Thc other person means your mortal enemy who seems to think that you are mutually his/her mortal enemy.

3) [CONDITION U]
The other person means a perfectly unrelated person to you who seems to have no possible chance of meeting you again anywhere in the world in the future.

Please check the upper left-hand of the response sheet in the next page. You will find any one or the three signs (T, H and U) there as the experimental condition which you have to act on. Remember that the sign T means essentially some mutual trust relationships, the sign H means some mutually hostile relationships, and the sign U means a mutually unconnected personal relationships. Please turn over the page and begin to respond for each problem the same as you did in the first problem task. Do you have any question?


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(from "Teraoka's Social motive test" and "If-then method")
Ask for information of this questionnaire.

Email kasait@hit.ac.jp
Website http://ing.yi-web.com/ifthen/

Copyright (C)2001 All Rights Reserved by Takashi Teraoka.
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