Information Integration Theory

Information Integration Theory was proposed by Norman H. Anderson to describe and model how a person integrates information from a number of sources in to make an overall judgment. The theory proposes three functions.

The valuation function V(S) is an empirically derived mapping of stimuli to an interval scale. It is unique up to an interval transformation (y = ax + b).

The integration function r = I{s1,s2, .. ,sn} is an algebraic function combining the subjective values of the information. "Cognitive Algebra" refers to the class of functions that are used to model the integration process. They may be adding, averaging, weighted averaging, multiplying, etc.

The response production function R = M(r) is the process by which the internal impression is translated into an overt response.

Selected Bibliography

 * Anderson, N. H. (1981). Foundation of information integration theory. New York: Academic Press.
 * Norman, K. L. (1973). A method of maximum likelihood estimation for information integration models. (CHIP No. 35). La Jolla, California: University of California, San Diego, Center for Human Information Processing.
 * Norman, K. L. (1976). A solution for weights and scale values in functional measurement. Psychological Review, 83, 80-84.