Information processing , motivation and decision making ( extended

We present a computational model of decision making called COMINT (COgnition and Motivation INTegration model). The model explains the role of motivation in decision making. COMINT is able of generating the four decision making styles proposed by Forgas (1994), using a single information processing mechanism, like suggested in (Baumeister and Newman, 1994). The model considers two kinds of motivation: motivation to search and motivation to ignore. Motivation to search is viewed as the resources available to search information in memory. Motivation to ignore is viewed as a device that filters information not desired. According to the COMINT model, an agent may produce self serving decisions without its conscious awareness. COMINT enables an agent to manage an inconsistent set of motives and beliefs, avoiding belief revision. The examples conceived to test the model were based on the literature on personnel selection.