An Investigation of Intransitive Choice Behavior.

Five questionnaires were administered to a group of subjects on two separate occasions. The principal concerns were the following: (1) to find evidence for the existence of stable (i.e., over testings) circular triads, (2) To investigate the appropriateness of the additive difference model, if such stable circularities are found, and (3) If such evidence is not found, to investigate the intransitivity-as-inconsistency explanation by exploring the relationship between circular triads and changes in response to individual items over the two administrations. With the exception of one subject on one questionnaire, no such evidence for stable intransitivities was found. Consequently, the inconsistency explanation was investigated by a factor analysis of nine variables derived from the subjects' choices. These variables were measures of consistency, transitivity and discrimination among stimuli. Results of this analysis suggest that the assumption of circular choices as synonymous with inconsistency is upheld for three of the five questionnaires. (Author/MS)