Examination of post-explanation effect about reality of existence

Abstract

This study examined the emergence of the post-explanation effect. Explanations have a recursive effect on perceptions of the explained object, focusing on the perception of reality of things whose existence is ambiguous. This study also tested the hypothesis that the higher the self-evaluation of the explanation, the higher the perception of reality of existence for the explained object to clarify variables related to the effect’s magnitude. In two experiments, participants imagined and explained the purpose of use and background of developing a novel product and rated the product’s reality of existence before and after the explanation. The analysis revealed that participants in Experiment 1 who explained the cubic soccer ball rated its reality of existence higher after than before the explanation. Experiment 2 showed that among the self-evaluations, the plausibility of the explanation’s contents is related to an increase in the perception of the reality of existence. We discussed the cognitive processes that are assumed to underlie explanation bias.