Articles tagged with Behavioral Economics
A new study by Michigan State University finds that residents of larger cities in China exhibit more environmentally friendly behavior than those in smaller cities. The study suggests that employment and leadership opportunities play a key role in promoting pro-environmental attitudes and behaviors.
Research suggests that economic systems influence cooperation and trust, with societies prioritizing cooperation experiencing higher levels of trust and cooperation. Climate also impacts behavior, with violent-crime rates increasing during warmer months and prosocial behaviors enhanced by sunny weather.
A new study finds significant differences in psychological and behavioral traits between WEIRD (Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, Democratic) societies and non-WEIRD societies. The study calls for more diverse research samples to make generalizations about human psychology.
A study by University of Missouri researcher Rui Yao found that older Chinese consumers perceive themselves 20-40 years younger than their actual age. The study suggests marketers should focus on energetic and youthful campaigns to appeal to this demographic.
Researchers found that exposure to fast food symbols increases preference for time-saving products, reduces willingness to save, and promotes a general sense of haste. The study highlights the potential impact of fast food on everyday psychology and behavior.
An analysis of nearly 25 years of data found a strong association between socioeconomic position and risk of death, with health behaviors explaining 42% of the association. Health behaviors assessed at baseline explained 29% of the gradient for cardiovascular mortality, increasing to 45% when entered as time-dependent covariates.
Researchers found that the amygdala structure in the brain is critical for triggering caution when making gambles with potential losses. This study provides new evidence for the role of the amygdala in fear and anxiety, shedding light on economic behavior and emotional decision-making.
A Cornell study analyzing 27 million online poker hands found that novice players tend to lose money despite winning more hands, as they struggle with occasional large losses versus frequent small gains. Small pairs are more valuable for small-stakes players than medium pairs due to their less ambiguous value.
A study by Dr. Kristyn Harms and colleagues found that experiential learning significantly impacts students' ability to manage change in agroecosystems. The study identified key factors, including hands-on activities, emotional responses, and human interactions, that contribute to behavioral change.
The center has awarded its third round of competitive research grants to six projects focused on energy efficiency in buildings, transportation, and behavior. The projects aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption through innovative approaches such as design optimization, policy analysis, and behavioral interventions.
A recent study by Cornell economist Michael Lovenheim found that teachers' unions have little impact on school districts' allocation of money, including teacher pay and spending per student. Unionization was linked to an increase in the number of teachers employed, but this effect was offset by increases in student enrollment, resultin...
Researchers apply brain imaging techniques to create efficient and fair solutions to the public-goods provision problem. By analyzing fMRI data, individuals are incentivized to truthfully value public goods, reducing free-riding behavior.
A Harvard University study found that punishing or rewarding individuals based on accident outcomes can shape behavior, rather than their intention.
African American men are avoiding disease screening due to concerns that it may threaten their masculinity. The study found that they view being sexually active as an important component of their notion of masculinity, and health-seeking behaviors can interfere with this.
A study published in The Lancet found that economic crises are associated with rising suicide rates, particularly among working-age populations. Active labor market programs can help reduce the negative impact of unemployment on mortality rates, especially if implemented with adequate social protection mechanisms.
Researchers used a demographic and economic model to evaluate the effect of immigration on the Spanish pensions system, finding that immigrant contributions will exceed native-born contributions by 2055. The study predicts a more pronounced increase in fertility rates among migrants, leading to a decline in pension loads.
A recent study found that bankruptcy rates vary widely across states due to differences in policy, including wage garnishment laws and Chapter 13 filings. Broad demographic factors such as age and income also influence filing rates.
A recent study published in the Journal of Economic Behavior and Organization found that life satisfaction decreased significantly in communist-bloc countries after the fall of the Iron Curtain. Despite economic growth, people experienced a decline in work-life balance, family life, and health, while their material circumstances improved.
A study found that high-quality teachers tend to leave schools with large minority populations, suggesting a direct relationship between student race and teacher quality. This relationship may be a substantial contributor to the black-white achievement gap in American schools.
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Health & Society Scholars Program has selected 17 new scholars to work on reducing health disparities and improving the nation's healthcare system. The scholars will receive a stipend and be trained to investigate the connections between biological, genetic, behavioral, environmental, economic, and so...
A recent study by Georgia State University researchers found that adolescent girls who perceive themselves as overweight are more likely to display suicidal behaviors than those who are actually overweight. The study analyzed data from 1999-2007 and estimated the potential economic costs of obesity-related suicides.
Research found that receiving unemployment benefits reduces both economic and psychological stress, leading to healthier behaviors. The study suggests that financial support during times of job instability is crucial in mitigating negative health effects.
A growing threat of food counterfeiting and contamination is outpacing international regulatory systems, with the US Food and Drug Administration inspecting only 1.8% of its imported food supply. Michigan State University researchers are calling for increased corporate responsibility and risk-based inspections to address this issue.
A study published in Neuron found that near-misses in slot machines elicit brain activity linked to natural rewards and motivate players to gamble again. Brain regions involved in drug addiction showed increased activity in response to near-misses.
A new study demonstrates that near-misses in gambling lead to significant brain activity and increased motivation, shedding light on the allure of gambling. The research found associations between near-miss activation and a subjective measure of gambling propensity.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania found that network structure influences behavior, with some networks generating global adoption of minority viewpoints and others prioritizing individual self-interest. Stubborn individuals can even improve collective performance, while greater awareness of neighboring preferences leads to ...
Researchers found that economic incentives, such as lottery-based groups and deposit contracts, were highly effective in inducing initial weight loss. The study's results showed a significant difference in weight loss between the incentive groups and the control group.
Researchers found that people associate specific traits with car designs, such as power, dominance, and masculinity. They also agreed on which car types possess these characteristics, including wide stances, narrow windshields, and spaced headlights.
A new study in International Studies Review uses social psychology to understand Japan's nuclear restraint, finding that persuasion, identification, and conformity are key factors. The research suggests that Japan's faith in the NPT is rooted in its desire to be seen as a successful state, rather than a deterrent.
A new analysis of a 2005 survey found that male students were more likely to carry weapons than females, with certain racial groups also being overrepresented. The study suggests that socioeconomic factors, such as living in violent neighborhoods, may contribute to the carrying of weapons among disadvantaged students.
A new study finds that consumers tend to diversify their choices more for future than present consumption due to uncertainty about future preferences. The researchers propose that stochastic noise plays a crucial role in this phenomenon, leading to overestimation of future choice options.
Researchers found that the configuration of the choice set significantly impacts creating consumer preference. Participants rated products and their satisfaction with choices in different sets, showing that context can influence preference strength and attribution. The study demonstrates the long-term effects of choice processes on con...
Research found that even brief exposure to brand names can alter consumers' subconscious goals, influencing purchase decisions. This study provides new insights into the power of brands in shaping consumer behavior.
Research finds that people sometimes prioritize the greater good over their own interests, and poorly designed institutions can undermine this behavior. Examples include a study on day care center fines and blood donation rates., Experts argue that recognizing human altruism is crucial for designing effective policies and institutions.
The University of Southern California has been awarded $12.4 million to spearhead a rehabilitation project for stroke survivors. The study, named I-CARE, aims to optimize rehabilitation therapies to improve patient quality of life.
A recent study suggests that betting on NCAA basketball tournament or Oscar contests reduces people's enjoyment of the events. The researchers found that participants who made predictions actually enjoyed the event no more than those who were incorrect, highlighting the negative impact of anticipated regret.
A new study by National Geographic Society reveals surprising differences in environmentally friendly actions among consumers worldwide. Consumers in India and Brazil topped the ranking, while US consumers scored lowest, highlighting the importance of individual consumer behavior in environmental sustainability.
Studies show that people tend to exaggerate others' fondness for items they like, while downplaying their dislike, resulting in poor predictions and judgments.
A recent study published in the Journal of Labor Economics found that television schedules have a larger impact on people's daily routines than natural daylight patterns. The research reveals that Americans' sleep and work patterns are shaped by artificial time zones and TV broadcast schedules, rather than the sun's cues.
Researchers found that when new products are released, consumers focus on the company's brand and perceptions. In contrast, when products have already been launched, evaluations are based solely on the brand's strength. This study reveals the importance of considering temporal frames in consumer research.
A study published in Journal of Consumer Research found that men are more likely to enjoy melodramatic films if they know it's fictional. High-empathy individuals tend to dislike fact-based stories, while those with low empathy can appreciate fiction.
Countries with a majority Protestant population have significantly higher employment rates compared to those dominated by other religions. Female employment rates also exhibit a notable disparity, with Protestant countries boasting approximately an 11 percentage point advantage.
Researchers at Northwestern University investigated a new study method using Behavioral Economics Theory to rehabilitate participants with unhealthy habits. Participants were assigned to change two behavior changes that had the greatest impact on other unhealthy behaviors.
A study by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that India's high income inequality leads to a double-disease burden, with poor individuals facing undernutrition and affluent individuals experiencing overnutrition. The risk of both conditions increases with widening income gaps between the rich and the poor.
Researchers used World of Warcraft to simulate a virtual epidemic, revealing the importance of individual behavior in spreading diseases. The outbreak, caused by a programming error, highlighted the limitations of computer models in predicting human behavior.
A Dartmouth economist projects steady growth in 401(k) retirement savings, citing the growing importance of personal savings plans. Most concerns about a pension crisis are overstated, with future retirees expected to have substantial wealth, five times that of current retirees.
A study by Jorge Gonzales-Chapela found that a 1% increase in recreation goods prices leads to an extra 3.2 hours of work per year among full-time working men aged 25-54. This translates to a loss of one day's worth of leisure time per year.
A new study found that reading negative newspaper articles about asylum seekers can lead to lower likelihood of granting asylum and negatively impact views on the group. Positive coverage has no similar positive impact, suggesting a lack of strong positive associations within British culture.
A new study found that consumers tend to spend more when a planned purchase is deeply discounted, but less when they experience an unexpected price increase or decrease in quality. This challenges prior research on budgeting and shopping behavior.
A new study by Sanjay Sood and Xavier Drèze found that movie sequels with named titles outperform those with numbered titles. Consumers prefer unique sequels because they don't want to see the same movie twice, improving box office performance and shelf life.
A study by Rafael Rob and Joel Waldfogel found that downloading reduces per capita expenditures by $25, while increasing the amount of music each individual consumes by the equivalent of $70. Additionally, the researchers argue that illegal downloading may alleviate monopoly deadweight loss problems.
A recent study by Baicker and Chandra found that a 20% increase in health insurance premiums would reduce the probability of employment by 2.4 percentage points, equivalent to approximately 3.5 million workers. As healthcare costs rise, workers may accept lower wages for costlier health insurance.
The MANIAC Challenge is a two-year competition that will test algorithmic prowess and study actual, uncontrolled ad hoc networks, offering valuable data on network behavior. Researchers aim to address questions of cooperation in wireless networking and provide insights into the performance of mobile ad hoc networks.
Researchers found that Scots are more likely to have poorer economic situations, drink problems, and smoke more than English people. Despite controlling for these factors, the study revealed a 50% higher heart disease rate in Scotland compared to England.
A study of 25 northern British Columbia women reveals three key coping mechanisms: becoming hardy, making the best of the North and supplementing it. These strategies involve self-reliance, spiritual beliefs, outdoor activities and social support networks.
A new study expands the dialogue on medical errors to include patients' perspectives, highlighting preventable problems like communication barriers, disrespect, and ignoring patient opinions. The research found that patients are more likely to report psychological and emotional harm than physical harm.
A new study found that genes play a significant role in buffering children against poverty's negative effects on their cognitive and behavioral development. The research, published in Child Development, shows that genetic makeup accounts for 70% of variability in behavioral resilience and 46% of differences in cognitive ability.
Research by Brown University's Anna Aizer found that 32% of children aged 10-14 engaged in delinquent behaviors, but supervision after school reduced this risk by at least 23%. The study also showed that male and older children were more likely to engage in these behaviors.
A Stanford study found that nearly 18 months and 17% of the total research budget were spent on IRB activities, with no impact on human subject protection. The researchers hope to lead further examination of IRB procedures and weigh the cost and benefits of multi-center review for minimal-risk studies.
African-American smokers and non-smokers alike show substantial support for tobacco tax increases to reduce smoking prevalence rates. However, opinions on the fairness of such policies vary, with some arguing they would disproportionately affect low-income smokers.