Abstract

Decision-making is an unavoidable daily process that connects our past, present, and future behaviors. This process rarely occurs in isolation; rather, our choices are shaped by both internal and external factors. Internal characteristics, such as social anxiety, vary across individuals and may shape how people evaluate risks and decisions for themselves and others. At the same time, external factors, such as how information is presented can influence decision behavior through cognitive biases like the framing effect. Although the framing effect has been widely researched, less is known about how it may interact with self-other decision-making and individual differences in social anxiety. The present study examined how framing (gain vs. loss) and decision perspective (self vs. other) affect risky choice across health, financial, and social domains, while accounting for individual differences in social anxiety. Two-hundred and fifty-three participants completed a series of framed decision-making scenarios in which they made choices for themselves and for another person. Social anxiety was measured using the Social Phobia Inventory (SPIN). Results indicated an overall significant framing effect, with participants showing greater risk-seeking behavior in loss frames than in gain frames. Perspective did not significantly influence decision-making overall, although it was significant within the social domain. Additionally, social anxiety was not a significant moderator. These findings suggest that framing remains a robust influence on decision-making, while decision perspective and individual differences in social anxiety may depend on the context of the decision domain.

Advisor

Chen, Peiyao

Department

Psychology

Keywords

framing effect, perspective, self-other decisions, social anxiety, risk preferences, risky decision-making

Publication Date

2026

Degree Granted

Bachelor of Arts

Document Type

Senior Independent Study Thesis

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