Articles tagged with Behavioral Economics
A new QUT study reveals that men with a range of personality traits, particularly extraversion and emotional stability, tend to engage in sex more frequently. These individuals are also more likely to produce offspring. For women, being agreeable is linked to having more children.
Researchers from the University of Copenhagen found that income mobility reduces life expectancy gap between rich and poor. Accounting for social mobility, the difference in life expectancy is around 2-3 years, not 5-6 years as previously thought.
A new study by Bocconi University finds that institutional investors have a positive and causal effect on firms' environmental and social (E&S) performance. These mainstream investors promote E&S issues through engagement with existing firms, rather than buying and selling shares of good or bad companies.
Numerical simulations show that providing fixed bonuses can encourage people to collaborate for the common good. Incentives like rewards for majority strategies in a group promote cooperation, making the income gap between cooperators and defectors more noticeable.
Research shows that modern couples are delaying marriage to focus on paying off student loans and saving. The study highlights how attitudes towards marriage, living together, and debt have changed over two generations, suggesting that debt is becoming a barrier to marriage.
A UC Davis researcher found that people behave similarly to others in simple reasoning games, driven by 'flocking' dynamics rather than rational thinking. The study used different games with varying levels of complexity, but all showed the same flocking behavior.
A UNIGE team discovered which brain zones are activated in anger and how the brain suppresses the act of revenge. The prefrontal dorsolateral cortex (DLPFC) plays a key role in regulating emotions, with higher activity during provocation phases leading to less punishment against unfair players.
A new study by Bocconi University scholars found that broadband internet access causes sleep deprivation, particularly among individuals with DSL lines. These individuals sleep 25 minutes less than those without DSL Internet and are less likely to reach the recommended amount of sleep, leading to significant economic losses in Germany.
A new study from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business reveals that individuals with high 'guilt-proneness' tend to be more trustworthy. This personality trait is stronger than other characteristics in predicting trustworthy behavior, according to the researchers.
A University of Kansas researcher found that helping others and building mutually beneficial relationships can boost an organization's reputation and build resources. The study analyzed studies from evolutionary biology and economics, concluding that indirect reciprocity is a key to effective cooperation.
Researchers found African Americans and Latinos had higher levels of chronic stress and unhealthy behaviors, increasing their risk for depression. However, engaging in unhealthy behaviors did not increase depression risk in African Americans but rather reduced it due to chronic stress.
A comprehensive review of scientific findings on vaccination behavior reveals that shaping patients' and parents' behavior is more effective than trying to change their minds. The report highlights the importance of leveraging favorable intentions and correcting misinformation through clear and intuitive communication.
A study found that altruist motivations and environmental knowledge significantly influence pro-environmental behavior in university students. The research suggests that educational programs adapted to the motivations of each gender are crucial for increasing effectiveness.
A new study suggests that individuals in modern democracies, including the US and Germany, show little interest in erasing wealth disparities. Only 12% of available funds are allocated to reduce inequality, with most people preferring a considerable degree of economic inequality.
A world-first study reveals that regions with psychological hardship responded to populist campaigns based on fear, contributing to the UK's Brexit vote and Donald Trump's election. The research found that neurotic personality traits, including anxiety and depression, played a significant role in shaping voting behaviour.
Researchers found that social-circle questions led to more accurate predictions for election outcomes than traditional polling methods. Social-circle questions provide information about people who aren't explicitly included in the sample and can help anticipate the processes of social influence.
A study by Dr. Patric Diriwaechter and Dr. Elena Shvartsman found that wage increases temporarily boost job satisfaction due to expectations and social comparisons, but this effect fades out within four years as individuals adapt to their new salary levels.
A longitudinal study by BYU School of Family Life professor Laura Padilla-Walker found that adolescents who exhibited prosocial behavior towards strangers had higher self-esteem a year later. This suggests that helping others can have a significant impact on a teenager's moral identity and perceptions of self.
The UMass Lowell team is developing a new electronic monitoring system, BEACON, that uses smartphones and sensor technology to promote and reward constructive behaviors among parolees. The system aims to provide positive support to help them avoid violations and recidivism.
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 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.
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...
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.
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.
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 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 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 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 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.