Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine how the presentation mode (sequential- vs. simultaneous-mode) of information influences its evaluation. Three experiments revealed the interaction effect between the presentation mode and the valence of the product information. When respondents read about the positive aspects of the product, the evaluation was higher in the simultaneous presentation mode than in the sequential presentation mode. For negative product information, respondents’ evaluation was higher in the sequential presentation mode than in the simultaneous presentation mode. The simultaneous presentation mode intensified the impact of the information valence on evaluation. This study proposed that the sequential and the simultaneous presentation modes prime high and low construal levels, respectively. The mediation analysis provides support for such a prediction. Finally, the mediating effect of construal levels in evaluation was shown to disappear when respondents focused on the product information for a longer duration, while the mediation effect remained when the response time was short.