Anchoring in motion: How gestures shape numerical estimates

Abstract

Decision-making research has shown that subtle environmental cues, such as numerical anchors or even a gesture, can shape behaviour without conscious awareness. The present study (N = 128) examined whether simple gestures, incidentally suggesting high versus low positions on a virtual vertical scale, could bias numerical estimates in a manner similar to the anchoring effect. Results revealed that high-value gestures led participants to give significantly higher estimates than low-value gestures. Strikingly, most participants reported no awareness of this influence. These findings are discussed within the framework of selective accessibility theory.