Haste makes waste, but not for all : the speed-accuracy trade-off does not apply to neurotics

Abstract

Objectives: To examine if neurotics are the exception to the speed-accuracy rule and in fact are more accurate when making faster decisions. Design: The study employed a laboratory-based, cross-sectional design. Method: One hundred and ninety-six elite young cricketers completed measures of neuroticism before performing a cricket-specific computer-based decision-making task. Results: Neuroticism significantly moderated the relationship between decision-making time and decision-making accuracy such that decreases in response time were associated with improvements in decision-making accuracy for individuals with high levels of neuroticism. Conversely, decreases in response time were associated with decrements in accuracy for individuals with low levels of neuroticism. Conclusions: The study presents the first data that confirm that speed accuracy trade-offs do not occur across all individuals; individuals with high levels of neuroticism benefit from making faster decisions.