Chapter 2.1, Problem 2.16ACA

Motivation and right-oriented bias. Evolutionary theory suggests that motivated decision makers tend to exhibit a right-oriented bias. (For example, if presented with two equally valued brands of detergent on a supermarket shelf, consumers are more likely to choose the brand on the right.) In Psychological Science (November 2011 ), researchers tested this theory using data on all penalty shots attempted in World Cup soccer matches (a total of 204 penalty shots). The researchers believed that goalkeepers, motivated to make a penalty-shot save but with little time to make a decision, would tend to dive to the right. The results of the study (percentages of dives to the left, middle, or right) are provided in the table. Note that the percentages in each row, corresponding to a certain match situation, add to 100%. Use graphs to illustrate the distribution of dives for the three match situations. What inferences can you draw from the graphs?