A recent study published in the Journal of Consumer Research found that uncertainty can be a motivating factor for individuals. Researchers discovered that people are more likely to invest time and effort into pursuing an uncertain reward, rather than a certain one. This phenomenon is attributed to the positive experience of making the...
A Concordia University study found that businesses located furthest from market expansion have higher profits than those chasing customers. Retailers should analyze the market and secure good locations early on to maximize profits.
A new study reveals that the US physician payment system is not inherently biased towards surgeons and procedure-performing doctors. The difference in pay between specialties arises mostly from differences in the number of minutes allocated to each service by Medicare's formula, which takes into account estimated times for work.
Despite Congress's adjournment, the Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) Repeal and Medicare Provider Payment Modernization Act of 2014 remains a crucial issue in healthcare finance. Experts, including Dr. Eli Adashi, advocate for bipartisan efforts to address the SGR law and promote reforms to move Medicare towards quality-based compensation.
A surge in anonymous 'dark money' is pouring into US midterm election TV ads, with conservative groups leading the pack. According to a WSU researcher, $68 million has been spent on TV ads by special interest groups, including Americans for Prosperity and Crossroads GPS.
A study suggests that most gamblers who play responsibly enjoy the experience and exhibit no problems. Positive players set limits on spending and time, use strategies to control their behavior, and gamble for entertainment rather than escapism.
A recent Cornell University study reveals that anticipation of experiences, like travel or concerts, can boost happiness levels. In contrast, waiting for material goods tends to lead to frustration and poor behavior.
A recent study by University of Illinois professor Rebecca Sandefur found that 46% of respondents dealt with civil justice situations alone, while 16% took no action. The most common negative consequences reported were health impacts and financial problems.
A new portable device using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry can detect the specific vapors emitted by US currency, potentially helping border guards identify and seize billions of dollars in smuggled cash. The system, called BCDS, is being developed to improve detection and has been shown to work effectively within seconds.
Positive psychology research suggests that less materialism leads to increased happiness and well-being, resulting in a healthier environment. Thrift and conserving resources also contribute to overall happiness.
A new study by USC Marshall professor Victor Bennett found that resale markets like Craigslist can add value to tickets sold by concert venues and Ticketmaster. This increase in price benefits both the artist and venue, particularly in high-demand shows.
A new study in the Journal of Consumer Research found that consumers are less satisfied with purchases when they have no money left, but are more satisfied when they come into funds. Brands can increase customer satisfaction by running promotions during times of low budget availability.
A recent study found that consumers are willing to pay more for products when thinking about the past, rather than new or future memories. The researchers also discovered that nostalgia can weaken a person's desire for money, making them more likely to donate or give more to others.
A recent study published in Journal of Consumer Research found that people tend to distort their memories of past indulgences when faced with an opportunity to indulge. This distortion leads to greater levels of indulgence. By understanding this phenomenon, businesses and individuals can develop strategies to avoid impulsive decisions.
A new study reveals that individuals save more when made to feel powerful, especially when saving for financial resources. The authors conclude that feeling powerful motivates people to use saving as a means to maintain their current state of power.
A study published in the Journal of Mathematical Economics found that short lives result in big financial losses, comparable to socio-economic gaps. The researchers suggest that individuals who die prematurely may have been better off consuming more earlier in life.
Researchers at NYU found that economic duress can lead to racial discrimination by altering how people visually perceive another person's race. In experiments, subjects identified mixed-race faces as Black when linked to economic scarcity, even if the face was only 35% Black.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University found that spending 30% of income on affordable housing is associated with improved cognitive development in children, while spending too little or too much has negative effects. Families who invested more in housing spent less on other essential items like books and educational outings.
Research by Robert A. Moffitt found that US welfare spending rose 74% since 1975, but aid to the neediest single parent families with low earnings decreased by 35%. Meanwhile, aid increased for those earning slightly more, while programs benefiting seniors and disabled individuals expanded.
A forthcoming study suggests that strong social and political institutions can reduce favoritism towards one's own group, making people more likely to follow impartial rules. Ineffective institutions, on the other hand, lead to favoritism towards local communities.
A new study from North Carolina State University and the University of Texas found that children are paying close attention to financial issues and need parental guidance. Parents should make an effort to talk to their kids about money, including saving, spending, and earning, as well as family finances and debt.
A new study suggests that adolescents who find pleasure in pro-social activities are less likely to become depressed than those who engage in risk-taking behaviors. The research found that activity in the ventral striatum brain region predicted whether depressive symptoms would worsen or lessen over time.
Researchers at WSU have developed a scale to measure spitefulness, a behavior that involves hurting an opponent even when it comes at a cost to oneself. The study found that spitefulness is closely linked to other negative traits such as psychopathy and narcissism, and that people with guilt tend to score lower on the scale.
Researchers at Princeton University found that 30-40% of US households live hand-to-mouth, but many are not the poorest in terms of income or net worth. The 'wealthy hand-to-mouth' have middle-class incomes and little cash on hand, making them react to income swings like the poor.
A new study suggests that US policymakers should incentivize pharmaceutical companies and device makers to develop products with more value. The aim is to reduce healthcare spending while preserving health benefits, potentially through novel approaches such as increased creativity and risk-taking in scientific research and development.
A statistical analysis of online wedding registries reveals that gift givers prioritize either social benefits or saving money, resulting in a bimodal distribution of price preferences. The study provides insights into the psychology behind wedding gift giving and its potential impact on marketing strategies.
A new study by Mathew S. Isaac and Aaron R. Brough found that people are more likely to predict outcomes when items are grouped into larger categories. In a series of experiments, participants showed a bias towards wagering more money on winning the lottery if they had blue tickets rather than yellow ones.
A San Francisco State University study reveals that consumers prioritize value over happiness when making purchasing decisions, leading them to spend on material items. Researchers found that people underestimate the monetary value of life experiences, which can be difficult to quantify.
Well-educated graduates who entered the workforce during economic downturns were found to be happier with their work both early and late in their careers. This relationship was mediated by gratitude for their jobs, suggesting that entering the workforce during a recession can have long-lasting benefits.
New research from UTSA and University of Minnesota finds that ovulating women are less willing to share with other women but more likely to prioritize their relative gains. This study has implications for marketers, consumers, and researchers and highlights the importance of considering hormonal fluctuations in decision-making.
Researchers at Georgia Tech have developed a prototype software called Gyrus, which takes extra steps to prevent malware from sending spam emails and instant messages. The software captures user intent and interactions with an application, verifying that the resulting output can be mapped back to the user's intention.
A team of researchers at the University of California - San Diego examined over 2,000 pieces of malware used by Bitcoin mining operations and found that they made at least 4,500 Bitcoins over two years. The study highlights how malware operators use low-cost and no-investment infrastructure to mine Bitcoin.
A recent survey found that 64% of small businesses experience employee theft, but only 16% report it to the police. The most common items stolen were cash and products sold by the business. Employees most likely to steal are general or first-line employees, often due to lack of trust and opportunities for easy theft.
Research from San Francisco State University finds that affluent neighborhoods contribute to poor spending habits and materialistic values, especially among younger individuals. The study suggests that relative deprivation and social comparison drive this behavior, leading to impulsive purchases despite a lack of happiness.
Researchers at UC Berkeley's Haas School of Business found that consumers are more likely to click on free, generic search results than paid ads. In a large-scale field experiment, they compared sales before and after turning off paid search in various markets, finding no measurable increase in sales from paid ads.
A new research suggests that developing relationships between companies, suppliers, and raw material suppliers can lead to significant cost savings and improved designs. By creating a sourcing hub, firms can simplify their supply chains and gain access to better advice on raw material selection.
A study published in Psychological Science found that a cyclical mindset, focusing on recurring experiences rather than linear goals, can lead to higher savings rates. Participants who used a cyclical approach saved an average of $223 over two weeks, compared to $130-$140 for those using a linear mindset.
Researchers at the University of Sheffield found that avoiding information can be a motivated behavior, not just a practical one. The study suggests that people intentionally hide from information about their goals, such as finances or weight loss, due to fear of negative emotions associated with it.
Research shows that people tend to value immediate material rewards over investing in future quality of life, making cooperative behavior in climate protection less likely without strong incentives. Experimental results demonstrate a stark contrast between individual self-interest and collective benefits.
Military veterans who struggle with managing their finances are at a higher risk of becoming homeless. A new study published in the American Journal of Public Health found that money mismanagement is a significant predictor of future homelessness among veterans, regardless of income or mental health status.
New research suggests that racial biases impact economic decisions, leading participants to accept lower offers from White proposers and larger offers from Black proposers. The findings highlight how specific stereotypes can influence fairness perceptions, with implications for legal and economic contexts.
A study of over 2,300 students found that those using debit cards at school cafeterias consumed more calories, especially non-healthy food items like candy and fries. Debit-only systems may lead to greater spending on lunch, as parents often have limited control over individual transactions.
Researcher Sendhil Mullainathan discovers that poverty's financial constraints can lead to significant cognitive deficits, affecting IQ and impulse control. The 'cognitive tax' caused by poverty can result in reduced adherence to medication regimens, among other behaviors.
A study by researchers at Princeton University found that poverty can impair cognitive function, making it difficult for individuals to focus on tasks unrelated to financial concerns. This impairment can lead to poor decision-making and increased mistakes in other areas of life.
The study found that incarcerated men lack basic financial knowledge, with a focus on investing, self-employment, budgeting, and saving. They often prefer one-on-one instruction and have shown interest in entrepreneurship, particularly in construction and real estate.
A UW geographer proposes a 15-year plan to dismantle China's 55-year-old hukou system, which limits rural laborers from moving to cities. The plan aims to create a more sustainable consumer-based economy by reforming the household registration status of millions of rural migrants.
Researchers found women rarely part of corporate conspiracies and tend to play minor roles in fraud schemes. Women's involvement may be motivated by ethical concerns and social relationships, leading to lower financial gains from corporate crime.
Researchers at MIT suggest designing products to help microentrepreneurs generate income is key to success. Factors such as reliability, profitability and multifunctionality often trump affordability in developing countries.
A Michigan Technological University researcher predicts that personal manufacturing with 3D printing will enter the mainstream, offering consumers significant cost savings. The study analyzed 20 common household items and found that making them with a 3D printer could save up to $1,944 compared to buying them online.
A new study by Michigan State University found that worker loyalty is positively correlated with higher earnings, with employees who are committed to the company's mission earning up to an additional year of experience. The research also identified factors that promote worker loyalty, including learning new skills and job security.
A study published in Family Relations found that financial issues are the top predictor of divorce, regardless of income or net worth. Early financial arguments can lead to lower relationship satisfaction and increased stress, making it essential for couples to address these issues through education and counseling.
Health info exchange efforts in the US have seen significant growth, with a tripling of participating hospitals and doctor's offices since 2010. However, many organizations struggle to develop sustainable business models and rely on government grants, which will expire in January 2014.
A study of 1423 egg donors across 11 European countries found that altruism is the primary motivation, but financial compensation plays a significant role in some countries. The majority of donors are young women who expect personal benefits, and their age affects their motivations.
A new field experiment by University of Chicago economists found that women are more likely to opt-out of charity donations, especially when given the option. In contrast, men's giving was slightly affected, with women giving only half as much as before in situations where they could avoid donating.
A study finds that private Medicare Advantage plans have cost Medicare an extra $282.6 billion since 1985, with $34.1 billion overpaid in 2012. The plans' strategies include cherry-picking healthier beneficiaries and recruiting patients from the Veteran's Administration to increase profits.
A slowdown in healthcare spending growth could result in Americans saving up to $770 billion on Medicare costs over the next decade. This decrease is attributed to a decline in new drug development and increased efficiency in the healthcare system.
Researchers found a growing gap between materialism and the desire to work hard among recent high school graduates. Materialism peaked in the 80s and 90s with Generation X, but has continued to stay high. In contrast, work ethic declined, with 39% of students admitting they didn't want to work hard in 2005-07 compared to 25% in 1976-78.
Researchers from Southern Methodist University found that high-volume Bitcoin exchanges are less likely to fail but more likely to suffer a security breach. The study analyzed 40 exchanges and found that those with higher transaction volumes were less likely to shut down but more prone to breaches, posing a risk to customers' funds.
A new UC Berkeley study suggests that morality plays a significant role in shaping our perception of money, with those who perceive money as 'tainted' viewing it as having less purchasing power. The research findings also shed light on why people avoid ill-gotten gains and the psychology behind socially responsible investing.
A study by Michigan State University criminologist Thomas Holt reveals a sophisticated online marketplace for stolen credit data, where reputations drive sales and feedback helps weed out untrustworthy sellers. The network, similar to eBay or Amazon, uses web forums and electronic payments to facilitate transactions.