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Ohio State University


Owe the IRS? No problem, some Americans say

A recent study from Ohio State University found that households immediately increase their spending after receiving tax refunds. In contrast, when households owe taxes, they do not reduce their spending, instead using other sources of funds to pay the bill. This challenges traditional economic theories about how people spend their money.

SourceOhio State University·JournalAmerican Economic Review·DateJul 28, 2020

In the sharing economy, consumers see themselves as helpers

A new study by Ohio State University suggests that consumers view independent providers in the sharing economy differently from traditional employees. Firms like Uber and Airbnb should focus on people who provide their services to effectively market themselves to consumers. This shift in perception may have implications for consumer be...

SourceOhio State University·JournalJournal of Marketing·DateJul 15, 2020

Researchers find the worst reason to give a gift

Researchers found that gifts intended to save time are seen as compliments, while those meant to save money are perceived as a reflection of the recipient's lower status. In real-world situations, people who received money-saving gift cards reported feeling embarrassed and believed the giver thought they were incompetent.

SourceOhio State University·JournalJournal of the Association for Consumer Research·DateJul 13, 2020

The downside of feeling prepared

Researchers found that feelings of preparedness in one area can lead to more confident thoughts about unrelated topics, even if those thoughts are not based on actual knowledge. Participants who were told they had to prepare for bad news later showed more positive attitudes towards research funding proposals than those who didn't prepare.

SourceOhio State University·JournalJournal of Experimental Social Psychology·DateApr 22, 2020

People may know the best decision -- and not make it

A recent study published in Nature Communications found that people often take the less optimal choice when faced with a decision, despite having knowledge of what works best. The researchers discovered that nearly everyone learned the pattern, but only about 20% followed it when the pattern didn't work consistently.

SourceOhio State University·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 20, 2020

Changes in snowmelt threaten farmers in western US

Farmers in parts of the western United States will be among the hardest hit by climate change, which will reduce seasonal water availability for irrigation. The study found that basins globally most at risk include the San Joaquin and Colorado river basins, where snowmelt runoff is projected to decrease significantly.

SourceOhio State University·JournalNature Climate Change·DateApr 20, 2020

Tech not hurting social skills of 'kids these days'

A new study from Ohio State University found that children's social skills have not declined due to increased screen time, with teachers rating both generations similarly. The study also showed that even heavy screen users showed similar development in social skills compared to those with little exposure.

SourceOhio State University·JournalAmerican Journal of Sociology·DateApr 13, 2020

Scientists electrify aluminum to speed up important process

Researchers at Ohio State University discovered a method to convert triphenylphosphine oxide into triphenylphosphine by sending an electrical charge through an aluminum container, reducing waste and toxic chemicals. This process has implications for the manufacturing of medications, fertilizers, and other substances.

SourceOhio State University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateMar 26, 2020

Knowing more about a virus threat may not satisfy you

A recent study on Zika virus found that individuals who thought they knew more about the threat were actually more likely to feel uncertain and anxious. The researchers suggest that public health agencies should focus on providing ongoing updates and shaping messages that encourage people to stay informed, as uncertainty can fuel fears...

SourceOhio State University·JournalRisk Analysis·DateMar 10, 2020

How communication about environmental issues can bridge the political divide

A new study from Ohio State University suggests that communication about environmental issues can help bridge the political divide by appealing to moral foundations. The researchers found that conservative moral messaging was more effective at increasing support for transitioning away from fossil fuels among conservatives, especially w...

SourceOhio State University·JournalJournal of Environmental Psychology·DateMar 6, 2020