Proximity Bias: Interactive Effects of Event Valence and Event Nearness on Probability Estimates

We document a novel proximity bias. Whereas positive events are seen as more likely if they are physically close (vs. far), negative events are seen as more likely if far (vs. close). Corroborating the motivated nature of this bias, physical proximity did not affect predictions of self-irrelevant or neutral outcomes.

Citation:

Jennifer Seok Hwa Hong, Chiara Longoni, and Vicki G. Morwitz (2018) ,"Proximity Bias: Interactive Effects of Event Valence and Event Nearness on Probability Estimates", in NA - Advances in Consumer Research Volume 46, eds. Andrew Gershoff, Robert Kozinets, and Tiffany White, Duluth, MN : Association for Consumer Research, Pages: 293-297.