Articles tagged with Behavioral Economics
Indiana University research finds that corporate compliance programs are often ineffective, leading to a culture of silence and widespread corruption. The study identifies eight rationalizations used by offenders to justify their actions, highlighting the need for evidence-based strategies to curb bad behavior.
The article attributes Trump's victory to a rejection of the Democratic Party by working-class voters in the Rust Belt, citing institutions like labor unions as key factors. The author argues that regional characteristics and institutions connected these voters to national politics, explaining unusual voting behavior in 2016.
A recent study published in Frontiers in Psychology found that empowered employees are more proactive even when they don't trust their leader. This is because empowering leadership increases role breadth self-efficacy, allowing subordinates to take on new tasks and exhibit proactivity.
A study by the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine found that introducing a small levy of 10 pence per drink to the price of sugar-sweetened beverages sold in Jamie's Italian restaurants contributed to a significant decline in SSB sales, with a 9.3% decrease observed six months later. The study suggests that financial measures...
A new study found that cetaceans have sophisticated social and cooperative behavior traits, including complex alliance relationships, social transfer of hunting techniques, and vocal mimicry. The research suggests a link between brain size and cultural complexity in these marine mammals.
Researchers found that incorporating game design elements into activity trackers increased step counts by nearly one mile per day. The study, which involved families tracking physical activity with wearable devices or smartphone apps, showed a 27% increase in achieving daily fitness goals.
Laura Vandenberg, a leading expert on endocrine disrupting chemicals and their impact on human health, has been named one of CHE's '20 Pioneers Under 40 in Environmental Public Health'. Her groundbreaking research informs prevention-focused behaviors and policies to protect public health.
Participants showed higher levels of cooperation for provision of new public goods, with a majority exhibiting conditional cooperation. In contrast, those who never participated in maintenance or provision faced dilemmas about public goods, leading to lower willingness to cooperate.
According to research by Cornell's Food and Brand Lab director Brian Wansink, retailers can increase healthy food sales through small, low-cost in-store changes. A health predisposition pyramid suggests that different marketing interventions are more successful with various shopper groups.
A study published in Journal of Health Economics found that drinking by pregnant women is down 11 percent in states requiring point-of-sale warning signs. The benefits to heeding the warnings show up in fewer extremely premature births and very-low-birth-weight babies.
Researchers found that introducing dynamic tax/sanctions and work subsidies can help people commit to long-run goals, leading to increased employment and welfare participation rates. In contrast, focusing on short-term payoffs results in reduced earnings and government expenditure.
Researchers create a system to detect eating behaviors and emotional responses using wearable devices, aiming to reduce obesity. The M2FED approach uses sensors to measure mood and conversation, with high accuracy rates for detecting emotions such as anger, anxiety, boredom, happiness, and sadness.
Research explores how technology transfer is hindered by incomplete information, leading to 'hold-up' situations where entrepreneurs are exploited by investors. The study finds that institutional settings play a crucial role in mitigating this issue.
A recent study found that taxi drivers in Athens charge business travelers a 7% higher fare than locals, taking advantage of the fact that passengers are reimbursed by their employers. The researchers also discovered that women were more likely to be overcharged than men.
A study by University of Kansas researcher Emily Rauscher found that children with sensitive genotypes face disadvantage in poor families but advantage in wealthier ones. This suggests that environment, not genes alone, determines economic outcomes.
A study by Aarhus University found that longer deadlines increase charitable donations. The researchers sent emails and text messages with varying deadlines to approximately 53,000 Danes who had previously donated money. As a result, the donations increased when the deadline was longer.
Research by Matthew Desmond and his team reveals that eviction can lead to job loss, destabilizing economically vulnerable individuals. The study sheds light on the causes and consequences of eviction, providing valuable insights into this complex social issue.
A study published by University of Konstanz researchers found that praise from peers can motivate students to perform better, particularly those who are already high-achievers. However, this positive effect is limited for students whose grades fall just below the top threshold.
A sugary drinks tax can improve economic welfare by discouraging retailers from using value size pricing, which leads to excessive consumption of unhealthy drinks. The tax would also reduce health problems related to obesity. Policymakers should recognize the wider benefits of such a tax.
Experts at Penn Medicine propose a five-step ladder to engineer social incentives that promote health, citing the potential of spouses and friends in encouraging healthy behaviors. The approach aims to tap into existing relationships rather than increasing interactions with physicians or clinicians.
Researchers found that people feel more gratitude for experiential purchases than material ones, leading to increased generosity. Experiences trigger fewer social comparisons, fostering a greater appreciation of one's own circumstances.
A special journal issue explores solutions to chronic health problems, highlighting the importance of behavioral science in addressing health disparities. The issue features 24 scientific papers on leveraging behavioral science to promote healthy behavior change among vulnerable populations.
The International Council for Science (ICSU) and the International Social Science Council (ISSC) have voted to merge into a single organization representing social and natural sciences. The merger is expected to be completed by October 2018, with a unified global voice and institutional structure.
A new study identifies rapid changes in social norms that can lead to significant behavioral shifts, such as a shift from smoking indoors to outdoors. The researchers suggest that understanding these tipping points can inform policies aimed at reducing pollution and promoting sustainability.
A recent study published in The Lancet Public Health found a strong association between economic opportunity and measures of physical and mental health in young adults. Individuals living in areas with higher economic opportunity reported fewer days of poor health and adopted healthier behaviors.
A new study finds that Republican and Democratic presidential candidates rarely respond to swing voters' views on key issues. Despite the importance of moderate middle ground in election campaigns, candidates typically take stances closer to those of their core supporters or extreme subsets of 'intense policy demanders'.
Researchers used behavioral science techniques to increase online license plate renewals in Ontario, resulting in a 42% increase and a 5-point gain in on-time renewals. The study's findings suggest that simple changes to messaging can lead to significant savings.
A study of over 12,000 Australians found that each extra daily portion of fruit and vegetables up to 8 portions per day increased life satisfaction. The researchers concluded that people who changed their diet experienced an increase in life satisfaction equivalent to moving from unemployment to employment.
Researchers found that customers with insurance are less critical of costs, leading to overcharging and higher prices. The study showed a significant difference in repair prices, with customers with insurance paying up to €128.68 compared to €70.17 without insurance.
A new study by UC Santa Barbara psychologists found that men prioritize traits associated with productivity and material benefit in nonfamily members, rather than solely generosity and trustworthiness. In contrast, women place more emphasis on reciprocity and demand more from attractive partners.
A recent study found that living through major economic recessions increases a mother's chance of suffering from domestic violence. The researchers discovered that even when the male partner didn't directly experience unemployment or material hardship, rapid economic downturns led to increased controlling behavior and fear of hard times.
A new study challenges common industry claims that introducing a national living wage would result in excessive costs and job losses. Instead, it finds that including incentives can have a positive impact on productivity, particularly in service sectors.
A small price provides a comparative evaluation, making the upgrade more attractive to consumers. In studies, participants chose minimally more expensive upgrades over free ones, highlighting the value of token pricing in product sales.
A study by the University of Toronto's Rotman School of Management found that having a first-class cabin increases air rage incidents nearly four times more than a nine-hour flight delay. Economy passengers who pass through first class are also more likely to exhibit bad behavior.
A new report by academics at the University of Stirling found that adolescents with emotional problems are 32% more likely to be unemployed and 26% more likely to be out of the workforce. The study suggests that investing in childhood and adolescent mental health services could have economic benefits, including reducing population-leve...
A new study found that prolonged daily sitting is responsible for 3.8% of all-cause mortality deaths, with reducing sitting time estimated to increase life expectancy by 0.2 years. The study analyzed data from 54 countries and found that sitting had a higher impact on mortality rates in certain regions.
A new study by Caltech researchers finds that experimental economics studies have a high replication rate of 61%, indicating that published results are reliable. The success of replication is linked to sample size and p-values, suggesting good methodological practices in the field.
Experts estimate that illegal cartels harm consumers by billions of dollars annually. Cartel screens, statistical tools to spot bad behavior, promise to enhance deterrence when used in combination with other measures.
A new study by Dartmouth researchers reveals that the type of fishing gear used has a significant impact on the amount of fish caught, as well as the social dynamics between fishermen. The study found that fishermen who use compressor divers tend to catch more fish and have less cohesion within their communities.
A Massachusetts General Hospital-led study found that economic opportunity is significantly associated with community health outcomes. Regions with lower economic opportunity had higher mortality rates, prevalence of smoking and obesity, and greater risk factors like hypertension and diabetes.
A study from Simon Fraser University suggests that plus-sized models in advertising campaigns may contribute to growing obesity rates. The researchers found that non-traditional models with larger body types can have a detrimental effect on the public's lifestyle and eating behavior.
Researchers Dr. Harold Clarke and Dr. Karl Ho are studying voter behavior in Hong Kong elections, examining attitudes toward electoral democracy and factors that influence voting decisions. The study aims to understand the impact of class, generation, immigration status, and political affinity on voters' choices.
Researchers found that warning people about defaults or informing them after the fact had little effect on their influence. Defaults for specific treatments influenced final choices, regardless of disclosure. The study suggests behavioral interventions can be effective without being deceptive.
A study by University of East Anglia researchers found that people's honesty varies significantly between countries, with estimated dishonesty ranging from 3.4% in the UK to 70% in China. The study also suggests that honesty is less important to a country's current economic growth than during earlier periods in history.
A QUT study found that men with these traits were more likely to be chosen as sperm donors. The research also showed that women kept in touch with their donor children through various means.
A recent study found that cities fared better during the 2008-09 recession in regions with stronger emotional stability and entrepreneurial personality profiles. Cities like San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, Calif., and Jackson, Tenn., exhibited higher scores for entrepreneurial personality and emotional stability, while others struggled.
A recent study by Raymond Fisman et al. reveals that the wealthy and educated elite tend to be less fair-minded and more inclined towards efficiency when distributing resources. The research found that those who prefer efficiency are more likely to work in the corporate sector, which may contribute to the muted policy response to incre...
A multidisciplinary team at Lehigh University will develop a comprehensive framework to assess interdependent infrastructure system resilience for extreme events under uncertainty. The goal is to mitigate the consequences of disasters and rapidly restore normal life in communities.
A study published in the Journal of Public Economics found that Prize Linked Savings (PLS) products, which combine savings with the possibility of winning large cash prizes, are more effective at inducing savings than standard interest-bearing accounts. This is particularly true for lower-income and less-educated individuals who are al...
The study found that approximately half of the US adult population has either diabetes or pre-diabetes, with a higher prevalence among non-Hispanic black and Hispanic participants. The prevalence of total diabetes increased significantly over the past few decades, but rates have plateaued in recent years.
A recent study published in PNAS journal suggests that collaborative settings can provide fertile ground for corrupt behavior, including lying and dishonesty. The researchers found that levels of corruption were highest when profits were shared equally among group members.
A new study found that firms in countries with strong shareholder protection laws raised more money through stock sales, performed better in terms of profits and investment efficiency, and terminated fewer employees than similar firms in countries with weaker shareholder protection laws. Stronger shareholder protection laws allow the s...
Men outperform women in goal-orientated tasks, with goal-setting inducing higher effort and better focus. The study found that having a goal leads to increased speed and accuracy, regardless of the specific goal value.
Researchers found that commodity price bubbles were short-lived and not as frequent as thought. Bubbles in the grain markets occurred more often during periods of production problems rather than speculative activity. The study's findings suggest that the commodity market is doing a good job of accessing prices, with only minor hiccups.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University found that conflicting histories can lead to mistrust and conflict in negotiations. The study used two experiments with 392 participants, finding that those with asymmetric histories were more likely to reach an impasse during negotiations.
Researchers found that pre-election polls can influence voter behavior, leading to biased electoral results. A study on French elections showed that exit polls influenced voters in territories, resulting in higher turnout and a 'bandwagon effect'. This insight suggests that polling errors can sway election outcomes, even in the UK.
A University of Oregon economist's study found that reducing punishments for drivers above the legal blood alcohol content (BAC) threshold results in lower recidivism rates. The study showed a 17% reduction in repeat offenses for BAC levels above .08 and an additional 9% reduction for levels above .15.
A recent study by University of Zurich researchers found that power poses, commonly believed to boost confidence and influence hormones, have no impact on actual behavior. However, the study did show that power poses can affect one's perception of power, leading to increased self-confidence.
A UT Dallas study found that solitary confinement does not deter inmates from committing further violent acts, and its use may even exacerbate mental health problems. The research suggests reducing solitary confinement could save taxpayer funds and improve prisoner outcomes upon release.
A study by Johns Hopkins researchers found that competition among healthcare providers, including physicians and retail clinics, leads to higher antibiotic prescribing rates in affluent areas. The analysis revealed a strong correlation between the number of clinics and increased antibiotic prescriptions in wealthy regions.