[Difference between numerical and verbal evaluation in the reflection of the attributes].

When evaluating something, both numerical indices (numerical evaluation) and verbal impressions (verbal evaluation) can be used. Previous studies suggest that these evaluations differ in the reflection of typical attributes and atypical attributes of the object being evaluated. In this study, two experiments were performed to examine this suggestion. In both experiments, subjects were required to evaluate the effects of countermeasure programs to prevent plague. In the first experiment, the atypical attributes of the object were manipulated, and in the second experiment, the attributes that participants must pay attention to were manipulated by instruction. In Experiment 1, verbal evaluation reflected more atypical attribute than numerical evaluation, and in Experiment 2, the differences between numerical evaluation and verbal evaluation were systematically changed by the instruction. Some theoretical considerations are presented in the general discussion.