Research on how people make decisions. Covers workplace food choices, medication risk trade-offs, and treatment selection in mental health.
A study found significant variation in hospital use of medical consultations for surgical patients, with greater differences among those without complications. Hospitals that are non-teaching or for-profit have a higher rate of medical consultation use, while larger hospitals have more consultations for THR patients.
Researchers at UCL developed an equation to predict happiness based on recent rewards, expectations, and neural activity. The study involved 18,420 participants and found that moment-to-moment happiness reflects not just how well things are going but whether they're better than expected.
An analysis of 361 kicks from World Cup and UEFA Euro Cup matches reveals goalkeepers become increasingly likely to dive in the opposite direction after kickers repeatedly kick in one direction. This cognitive fallacy highlights the importance of monitoring sequential behavior in real-world competition.
Corinna E. Löckenhoff, PhD, of Cornell University, has been recognized by the Gerontological Society of America (GSA) with the 2014 Baltes Foundation Award in Behavioral and Social Gerontology. Her groundbreaking research focuses on age differences in socioemotional functioning and their implications for health-related decision making.
Research from University of Illinois expert Ravi Mehta found that people are self-controlled in everyday behavior, but indulge when thinking long-term. Abstract thinking can lead to feelings of missing out, regret, and corrective overindulgence, contradicting common consumer psychology literature.
A BYU business study found that using violent language by CEOs can lead to unethical behavior among rival employees, but not when the CEO uses such language with their own team. The research highlights the impact of leadership rhetoric on employee ethics and encourages CEOs to reconsider their communication strategies.
A recent national poll found that most parents seek healthcare providers' guidance on circumcision but don't want a specific recommendation. Only 23% of respondents wanted their pediatrician to make a decision for them.
Researchers found that people in high-status leadership positions tend to prioritize security over privacy. However, the study suggests that good practices and sensible rules on security can enhance security without negatively impacting privacy.
A novel study reveals that more than half of liver transplant patients want to be informed of donor risk at the time a liver is offered, with nearly 80% wanting to be involved in decision-making. The study aims to standardize patient information and involvement in transplantation decisions.
Men are more likely to slow their pace in the marathon, with a 15.6% average slowing in the second half compared to 11.7% for women, according to a Grand Valley State University study. Physiological factors, such as men's use of less fat and more carbohydrate during endurance exercise, may contribute to this sex difference.
Researchers found that monkeys consistently show the hot-hand bias, even when faced with random rewards, suggesting an evolutionary adaptation for foraging in the wild. The study's findings could inform treatment for gambling addiction and provide insights for investors.
A study by Harvard University researchers found that allowing people to vote on resource harvesting led to the preservation of these resources for future generations. The voting system used was based on the median of all votes cast, which encouraged altruistic decisions and cooperation across generations.
A study by Boston College Marketing Professor Linda Salisbury found that minimum payment warnings had little impact on repayment decisions, but showing a three-year payoff time frame with accompanying lower interest costs led to both positive and negative effects. Some consumers were encouraged to pay more, while others were nudged tow...
Researchers tracked neural activity to discover covert changes of mind in monkeys and humans, finding they're more frequent in uncertain conditions. The study offers new insights into decision-making processes and innovative ways to study this complex behavior.
A new approach to mammogram interpretation takes into account a woman's health risk profile, reducing missed cancer diagnoses by 3.7% and false positives by 3.23%. The method uses statistical weighting based on profile risk to improve biopsy decisions.
A recent study suggests that e-cigarettes are significantly less hazardous than traditional tobacco products, contrary to common perceptions. Meanwhile, research indicates that alcohol poses the greatest risk to public health, causing more harm than other recreational drugs.
New patient empowerment initiatives unveiled at EULAR 2014 aim to reduce treatment costs, improve patient experience and increase patient involvement in treatment decisions. These initiatives include self-monitoring, online learning resources, patient decision aids and video guides.
The BMJ is implementing a patient partnership strategy to integrate patients' perspectives into its editorial processes, research, and healthcare advocacy. This initiative aims to advance shared decision-making, patient-centered care, and impact assessment of patient partnerships.
A study found that healthcare providers and women have different priorities when it comes to contraception. For women, safety and side effects are top concerns, while providers focus on method usage and effectiveness. The mismatch between these priorities underscores the need for shared decision-making processes.
A study by University of Waterloo professors found that considering personal dilemmas as outsiders would lead to wiser reasoning. Employing a third-person perspective can help individuals think more wisely about relationship conflicts. The research results contradict the adage that age brings wisdom and highlight the importance of self...
A recent study from the University of California, Davis suggests that random fluctuations in brain activity may contribute to our ability to make choices. The researchers found that patterns of brain activity before a decision can predict the outcome of the decision.
Parliamentary means dissensus explores the confrontational nature of parliamentary politics, where opponents' views are thoroughly examined. The book offers new approaches to democratic theory by highlighting the singular political significance of parliaments.
A group of experts examines whether people with advanced dementia have the right to use advance directives to stop receiving food and water by mouth, despite lacking decision-making capacity. Key findings include the potential benefits and harms of such directives, as well as proposed guidelines for implementation.
A study from the University of Cambridge found that individuals with disorders of compulsivity share similar patterns of decision-making and brain structure. The researchers discovered lower grey matter volumes in brain regions involved in goal-tracking and rewards, leading to automatic habitual choices.
Research by Stan Floresco reveals the dynamic competition between brain regions to inform decisions. The frontal lobes temper impulses towards larger, uncertain rewards, while dopamine neurons provide short-term updates on recent outcomes.
A study by the University of Strathclyde found that parents are the main decision-makers in how children travel to and from school. The research suggests that measures to increase walking to school should target parents of younger children as well as older kids.
In a study published in Science, researchers found that fruit flies accumulate information before making decisions, suggesting a level of intelligence. The study identified a key gene, FoxP, involved in this process, which may also be linked to human cognitive development and language abilities.
A new study reveals that couples' success in shared endeavors depends on individual levels of self-control. High self-control levels lead to better financial decisions and reduced conflict.
A study of 2,290 women with breast cancer found that while many consider or undergo contralateral prophylactic mastectomy (CPM) to prevent cancer in the other breast, most do not have a clinically significant risk. The procedure is often associated with genetic testing, family history, and higher education.
A new study finds that too many product photos can lead to visual homogenization, reducing the ability to discern one product from another. Taking a mental break and returning to the shopping cart for a final decision may be an effective way to overcome this effect.
Researchers used functional magnetic resonance imaging to study methamphetamine users and non-users. Methamphetamine users displayed reduced sensitivity to risk in one brain region and increased sensitivity in another. These findings suggest circuit-level abnormalities contribute to impaired decision-making.
Researchers found that despite no major incidents, the biggest challenge was reassuring officials, media, and public about absent health threats. Enhanced surveillance systems are needed to detect and respond quickly, especially for large international events.
Researchers at NC State University created modified cockpit displays that significantly improved pilot response times in avoiding crashes. The new system highlighted planes with higher risk of collision, reducing errors and saving lives.
Practitioners can use shared decision making and motivational interviewing to adapt approaches for different clinical situations.
Researchers found that mobile users tend to distrust sites with instant gratification messages, and are more willing to share sensitive information after viewing security alerts. This phenomenon suggests that users prioritize privacy over convenience in digital interactions.
Research finds that people using a foreign language take a relatively utilitarian approach to moral dilemmas, making decisions based on assessments of what's best for the common good. This pattern holds even in emotionally difficult outcomes, such as sacrificing one life so others could live.
A large-scale study found that patient satisfaction with postoperative pain treatment is linked to perceptions of improvement and the patient-caregiver relationship. Patients who feel involved in their care experience higher levels of satisfaction.
An international group of scientists led by Heidi Kreibich has proposed a new integrated cost assessment cycle for managing natural hazards. This approach aims to improve the early detection of inefficient risk mitigation strategies and enable more efficient decision-making.
Wayne State University leads a two-and-a-half-year study on the imagination of high-speed rail in America, examining what motivates decision makers and users to champion or use trains. The research aims to understand how railway futures are shaped by urban growth plans and transportation visions.
A recent study by Sandia National Laboratories and the TSA aimed to understand how transportation security officers' thought processes influence decisions made during baggage screening. The findings have helped improve the performance of TSA's security officers, particularly in switching between pre-check and standard passenger lanes.
A recent study published in the Journal of Consumer Research found that restaurants providing 'low-calorie' labels on their menus may inadvertently cause people to eliminate healthy foods. The researchers suggested that by grouping low-calorie options together, restaurants can encourage healthier dining decisions.
The Cochrane review found no evidence of reduced hospitalizations or serious influenza complications with Tamiflu. However, the medication increased the risk of nausea and vomiting in adults and children, as well as psychiatric events when used for prevention.
A new study finds that adult patients with diabetes who trust their medical provider and feel included in treatment decisions are more likely to take and maintain a newly prescribed antidepressant medication. Shared decision-making is also associated with better adherence later in the course of antidepressant treatment.
The CDC won the 2014 Franz Edelman Award for its collaboration with Kid Risk, Inc. to combat remaining polio pockets globally using analytics and operations research. The award recognizes the impact of this work on the polio eradication program over the last decade.
A new study by Michigan State University found that fair bosses can be emotionally draining due to the need to monitor fairness in workplace decisions. This 'procedural justice' requires managers to suppress personal biases and maintain consistency, leading to mental fatigue.
Researchers identified salivary biomarkers associated with gingivitis, including PGE2 and IL-1. These findings have implications for personalized oral health care, suggesting potential discrimination between gingivitis and health through salivary biomarker analysis.
Researchers at Princeton University found that male fruit flies adjust the pitch and tempo of their mating song based on the movement and behavior of their desired female. The study provides insights into how organisms make rapid decisions in response to changing environments, a concept relevant to understanding human brain function.
A recent study suggests that consumers who choose more expensive products based on perceived value may experience buyer's remorse in the long run. The researchers observed that participants valued functionality over ease of use and preferred products with more features despite the higher price.
Researchers found that delaying the onset of decisions can improve response accuracy by allowing the brain to focus on relevant information and block out distractions. This mechanism is more beneficial than prolonging the decision process, which increases reaction times.
Sickle cell trait affects 3 million US citizens, with few aware of their status. Researchers call for improved communication of SCT results to primary care clinicians and genetic counseling on reproductive options
Scientists have identified issues with standard toxicity testing data used to inform dispersant decisions, highlighting the need for more accurate and comparable data. The current practices do not adequately replicate field conditions, such as sea state and weather, or consider exposure durations and concentrations.
Patient satisfaction with treatment is greater when outcome information is specific to their treating physician, according to a study. This type of information helps patients set realistic expectations and make informed decisions about therapy selection.
A new study by Sam Houston State University found that conflicts between work and family life were the most significant issues affecting correctional officers' stress and job satisfaction. The study identified demands from work, incompatibility between work and home roles, and family circumstances as major contributors to job stress.
A new study from the University of Toronto Scarborough finds that human emotion is felt more intensely under bright light, affecting decision-making. Participants rated stimuli under different lighting conditions, showing a preference for brighter lights to amplify positive and negative emotions.
New research suggests that people deal with difficult decisions by blaming fate to alleviate stress and fears. The study found that participants who faced more difficult decisions were more likely to believe in fate.
A new study in the Journal of Consumer Research found that people are more motivated to engage in healthy behavior when they're feeling depleted. Consumers tend to prefer products with safety features more when they're low on energy.
The Supreme Court's decision will likely affect standard of medical care and practice beyond Ontario, with potential resource implications for the province. The ruling also raises concerns about the role of the Consent and Capacity Board in end-of-life decision-making.
Researchers developed a procedure for comparing different crowd models and evaluating their accuracy using real-world data. A bottom-up model focused on individual behavior was found to best match real-world evacuation data, providing insights into safety planning and crowd dynamics.
Researchers have pinpointed areas of the brain that act as an 'arbitrator' between habitual and goal-directed systems. This mechanism ensures optimal control over behavior by weighing the reliability of predictions from each system.
Researchers at the University of Iowa found that a single loud voice can skew the result of voice votes, a common decision-making feature in American public life. The study suggests adjusting voting locations or controlling sound levels to minimize bias.