Research Article

Preferring the One in the Middle: Further Evidence for the Centre-stage Effect

  1. Paul Rodway*,
  2. Astrid Schepman,
  3. Jordana Lambert

Article first published online: 1 JUL 2011

DOI: 10.1002/acp.1812

Issue

Applied Cognitive Psychology

Applied Cognitive Psychology

Volume 26, Issue 2, pages 215–222, March/April 2012

Additional Information

How to Cite

Rodway, P., Schepman, A. and Lambert, J. (2012), Preferring the One in the Middle: Further Evidence for the Centre-stage Effect. Appl. Cognit. Psychol., 26: 215–222. doi: 10.1002/acp.1812

Author Information

  1. Department of Psychology, University of Chester, Chester, UK

*Dr Paul Rodway, Department of Psychology, University of Chester, Parkgate Road, Chester CH1 4BJ, UK.
E-mail: p.rodway@chester.ac.uk

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 2 MAR 2012
  2. Article first published online: 1 JUL 2011
  3. Manuscript Accepted: 11 MAY 2011
  4. Manuscript Revised: 1 MAR 2011
  5. Manuscript Received: 23 SEP 2010

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Summary

The location of an item influences a person's preference for that item, but it is unclear whether there is a preference for items located on the right or in the centre. In replication of the centre-stage effect, it was found that when participants were presented with a line of five pictures, they preferred pictures in the centre rather than at either end. This applies when the line of pictures was arranged horizontally or vertically and when participants selected from five pairs of identical socks arranged vertically. The results support the centre-stage explanation of location-based preference rather than the hemispheric difference or body-specific accounts. Implications of the effects of location on consumer choices and preference decisions are discussed. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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