Choices dependent on context

MIAMI, Oct. 19 (UPI) -- Whether a person chooses a candy bar versus a carrot depends less on free will and more on how the choices are presented, U.S. researchers said.

Study author Juliano Laran of the University of Miami tested subjects to determine how certain words and concepts affected consumers' decisions for self-control or indulgence.

Laran found that consumer choices were affected by the actions most recently suggested to them by certain key words.

The study involved a word-scramble containing words that suggested either indulgence using words such as "weight" or self-control using words such as "delicious."

"Participants who unscrambled sentences associated with self-control were more likely to choose a healthy snack -- a granola bar -- to be consumed right now, but an indulgent snack -- a chocolate bar -- to be consumed in the future," Laran said in a statement.

"Participants who unscrambled sentences associated with indulgence were more likely to choose an indulgent snack to be consumed right now, but a healthy snack to be consumed in the future."

The findings are published in the Journal of Consumer Research