Repetition and emotional priming modulate complex decision-making processes differently depending on the task´s nature.

Complex decision making (CDM) processes differ from simple ones in that they require greater cognitive engagement and a longer response time. In previous cognitive experiments, the effect of Repetition (RP) and Emotional Semantic priming (ESP) was evaluated on decisions made by participants randomly divided into 2 groups asking them to choose a face in order to perform an important task (IMT) or without specifying the task (UST). The results indicated that CDM processes could be modulated by both priming when the task was not specified (UST group), but not when the choice was made to perform an important task (IMT group), when response time was higher. These experiments raise the role of the nature of the task in a possible top-down mechanism modulating CDM. The aim of this work was to assess whether it is complexity, rather than relevance, that triggers the top-down mechanism. For this purpose, online experiments were conducted to assess whether RP or ESP modulated the decisions of subject randomly assigned to a new experimental group, which was asked to choose a face (from 4) for a non-important task (NIT), or a new UST group. The NIT group showed no susceptibility to priming, and their response times were longer, compatible with type-2 reflexive processes. These results support the hypothesis that priming modulation might be affected by the cognitive complexity associated with the task, rather than importance, initiating the top-down modulation mechanism. Knowing the conditions that make political decisions less automatic has a social relevance, in order to improve our democracies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]