Rocío García?Retamero|Mirta Galeši?|Gerd Gigerenzer
Do Icon Arrays Help Reduce Denominator Neglect?
Max Planck Institute for Human Development|Universidad de Granada|Max Planck Institute for Human Development|Max Planck Institute for Human Development
background objective denominator neglect focus number times target event happened eg number treated nontreated patients die without considering overall number opportunities happen eg overall number treated nontreated patients 2 studies addressed effect denominator neglect problems involving treatment risk reduction samples treated nontreated patients relative risk reduction different sizes also tested whether using icon arrays helps people take different sample sizes account especially focused older adults often disadvantaged making decisions health design study 1 conducted laboratory sample using withinsubjects design study 2 conducted nonstudent sample interviewed web using betweensubjects design outcome measures accuracy understanding risk reduction results participants often paid much attention numerators insufficient attention denominators numerical information treatment risk reduction provided adding icon arrays numerical information however drew participants attention denominators helped make accurate assessments treatment risk reduction icon arrays equally helpful younger older adults conclusions building previous research showing problems understanding numerical information often reside mind representation problem results show icon arrays effective method eliminating denominator neglect