Articles tagged with Decision Making
A study by Columbia Business School researchers demonstrates 'complicating choice' – the process where decision-makers increase effort for unimportant attributes. This phenomenon is driven by the 'effort compatibility principle', which aims to match expected effort with perceived effort.
A study found that children who remain in the home after a report of abuse are at increased risk of further abuse if they have certain characteristics, such as behavior problems and developmental disabilities. The study identified groupings of characteristics that increase or decrease the likelihood of reabuse.
A study found that voting in elections increases cortisol levels, a hormone released under pressure, and affects decision-making. Voting was also emotionally arousing, with both positive and negative effects.
A new study highlights the importance of parental involvement in helping teenagers understand and prepare for workplace risks. The research found that most parents are unaware of the hazards their teens face on the job, but can play a critical role in ensuring good safety standards by asking the right questions.
A new Northwestern Medicine study finds that attending physicians in intensive care units can reduce mortality rates by 50% when using a checklist and prompted to address overlooked details. The prompting system cut ventilator-associated pneumonia cases and reduced ICU length of stay.
Researchers developed a brief exam to identify frontal and temporal dysfunction in ALS patients, which can impact decision-making and treatment planning. The Penn State Brief Exam of Frontal and Temporal Dysfunction Syndromes (PSFTS) has been used in over 200 patients and is now standard care at the Medical Center.
A new study by Temple University researchers found that teens still struggle to plan ahead, leading to riskier decisions. The study tested 890 individuals between 10-30 years old and showed improvements in impulse control with age, allowing for better problem-solving skills.
A new study found that Walmart proposed more stores in pro-business states near the borders of less friendly states, even in the face of protests. This discovery provides evidence of how firms engage in regulatory arbitrage and make decisions about where to open stores.
A recent study found that oncologists value life-prolonging treatments more than quality-enhancing ones when making chemotherapy decisions. The authors also noted that there is a lack of standardized methods for analyzing cost-effectiveness in healthcare. This disparity is particularly notable in the United States, where there are no g...
Researchers discovered that people tend to gamble on double-or-nothing wins when relying on past experiences, whereas they avoid risky choices for losses. This finding suggests a reversal in decision-making strategies based on abstract possibilities versus memory of past outcomes.
A new study from the University of Missouri found that CEOs who prioritize employee job satisfaction can significantly improve customer satisfaction and loyalty. The researchers discovered a strong link between high employee satisfaction and customer loyalty, with twice as strong a positive impact compared to low employee satisfaction.
A new decision aid aims to improve communication between families and clinicians about end-of-life care for patients with prolonged mechanical ventilation. The study found that the decision aid reduced uncertainty and improved agreement between surrogates and healthcare providers about patient outcomes.
Research from Rice University and the University of Delaware found that unverifiable information like personal stories enhances lending decisions. Borrowers who explain their circumstances but deny details have poor loan performance. Using a 'trustworthy' identity can lower costs by almost 30% and save $375 in interest charges.
New research finds that teens use peers as a metric for autonomy, with younger girls wanting more freedom than older boys. Teens consistently overestimate their peers' levels of autonomy, assuming they have more freedoms than themselves.
The Lancet series highlights Brazil's successes in healthcare, but also notes areas of concern such as high caesarean section rates and increasing obesity. The country's experience offers valuable lessons for addressing health inequities and implementing reforms to prioritize public health.
A new survey finds that discussions surrounding feeding tube insertion are often inadequate, with 13.7% of family members stating medical providers inserted the tube without discussion first. Despite research questioning the value of feeding tubes, 32.9% of people in the survey reported improved quality of life for their loved ones.
Jack Levis, INFORMS Vice President and Director of Process Management at UPS, led his team to win the 2011 Gartner Business Intelligence Excellence Award. The award recognizes UPS's successful implementation of business intelligence and advanced analytics to improve operational efficiency and customer service.
Pakistani public health experts express shock and dismay at the government's plan to abolish the Ministry of Health. The move is seen as a threat to national health functions and capacity, particularly in light of ongoing challenges such as polio eradication and inadequate healthcare infrastructure.
New research from the University of Cincinnati suggests that small business owners who consult with outside advisors are more likely to achieve revenues sooner. By seeking input from respected colleagues, business owners can bring fresh perspectives and information into their decision-making process, leading to better outcomes.
A new study found that the brain has an automatic reaction to unfairness in financial fairness games, linked to increased amygdala activity. Targeting this region can reduce aggression and increase tendency to accept unfair distributions of money.
A study published in the Journal of Business Research found that Chinese adolescents are heavily influenced by their parents, while Canadian teens are more likely to make independent decisions. Parenting practices and cultural values play a significant role in shaping teen outlooks and decision-making patterns.
A Clemson University researcher is developing a new approach to designing more energy-efficient buildings by applying psychology concepts such as choice architecture and cognitive bias. His research aims to improve the decision-making process of engineers in building design, which could lead to widespread adoption of net-zero buildings.
A study by UC Riverside psychologists found that potential users of direct-to-consumer genetic tests are influenced by perceived benefits and barriers to testing, as well as anticipated regret over testing versus not testing. Participants who received only positive information expressed greater intentions to pursue testing.
A recent study published in Archives of Surgery found that patients with do-not-resuscitate (DNR) orders have a higher risk of poor surgical outcomes, including increased mortality rates and complication rates. The study analyzed data from over 120 hospitals and found that nearly a quarter of DNR patients died within 30 days of surgery.
Experts warn that disclosing quantitative data to patients can backfire due to numeracy problems and biases in interpreting data. Studies show that decision aids increase patient knowledge but may not always lead to informed decisions. Researchers advocate for further research on presenting risk information to aid decision-making.
A survey of US primary care physicians found that making treatment recommendations changes the way physicians think about medical decisions. In scenarios involving colon cancer and avian influenza, physicians chose different treatments for themselves versus those they recommended to patients.
A video-based decision aid helped patients weigh the pros and cons of bariatric surgery, leading to greater certainty and less conflict. The trial found that patients who watched the video felt more informed and confident in their decisions.
A new study found that young women with breast cancer have limited knowledge about fertility issues, causing confusion and conflict when planning for a family. The researchers suggest providing targeted fertility information may reduce uncertainty and increase informed decision-making.
A study by researchers at New York University found overlapping neurological mechanisms between goal-directed actions and habitual behaviors. The findings suggest that the brain's systems for different behaviors are more intertwined than previously thought, paving the way for addressing addiction and similar maladies.
A new study of small private firms in 21 emerging market countries found that those with higher quality accounting make better investment decisions. Firms with strong incentives to minimize taxes have poorer financial reporting and less efficient investment decisions.
Researchers argue that IRBs often neglect reporting and methodological quality in preclinical experiments, leading to inadequate risk-benefit assessments. A proposed solution suggests considering evidence on risks and benefits of agents targeting related biological pathways.
A study found that sleep deprivation leads to increased activity in brain regions assessing positive outcomes and decreased activity in those processing negative outcomes. As a result, sleep-deprived individuals are more likely to choose options with potential gains over those with potential losses.
A new study suggests that people are more likely to allow something bad to happen rather than causing it, especially if they know someone will judge them. The researchers found that participants were more willing to let a timer run out, resulting in less money for themselves, when they knew someone was watching and would penalize them.
UCLA researchers found a correlation between nicotine addiction and decreased prefrontal cortex activity in adolescent smokers. The study suggests that smoking can affect brain function, particularly during adolescence when the prefrontal cortex is still developing.
Researchers find that oral steroids improve symptoms of chronic rhinosinusitis with polyposis, while surrogate treatment decisions have a significant negative emotional impact on healthcare providers. The Hepatitis B vaccine has reduced infections in children, but targeted efforts are needed for adults. The USPSTF is updating its scree...
A study published in Psychological Science found that people with full bladders make better decisions by holding out for larger rewards. This contradicts the concept of ego depletion, suggesting bladder control is an automatic process.
A study of 360 patients found that those with chest pain and serious family health problems want to participate in treatment decisions. Women patients generally have higher expectations for listening and information from their female doctor than men, particularly when it comes to managing family health issues.
A study found that participants acted more morally than they predicted, with emotion playing a central role in moral behavior. The researchers suggest that people misjudge their emotional responses when considering moral dilemmas, leading to unexpected actions.
Leading scientists advocate for a modified approach to assessing policy options on biodiversity and ecosystem services. They argue that hypothetical scenarios do not represent real-world policy options, emphasizing the need for authoritative scientific advice on actual policy choices.
A new study in the Journal of Consumer Research found that rejecting alternatives can lead consumers to reverse their preferences. Consumers may focus on less-preferred options when trying to decide what they don't want, making them more likely to notice appealing features of alternative options.
A new study by Temple University psychologists Jason Chein and Laurence Steinberg found that the presence of peers heightens teens' sensitivity to rewards, leading them to take more risks. The researchers used fMRI to measure brain activity in adolescents, young adults, and adults while playing a simulated driving game.
A study published in Annals of Internal Medicine finds that current legal restrictions hinder the effectiveness of advance directives, which allow patients to specify their end-of-life care preferences. The researchers propose reforms to relax these restrictions and promote universal acceptance of oral advance directives.
A study conducted at four US intensive care units found that caregivers who hadn't discussed life support measures with critically ill patients took nearly two weeks longer to make decisions. Patients' loved ones were also more confident as surrogate decision-makers when they perceived high-quality communication with physicians.
A new underwater warfare model has been developed by Korean researchers, using the DEVS formalism, to analyze the effectiveness of various tactics and weapon systems in combat scenarios. The model provides a flexible framework for testing different algorithms and parameters with minimal modification.
A new study in Journal of Consumer Research found that people who feel depleted from exerting self-control tend to pass up the most desirable choices and opt for options with lower-level features. This is known as the 'easy path effect', where individuals prioritize short-term rewards over long-term benefits.
Researchers found a communication intervention effective in reducing ICU stays for chronic patients but less so for surgical and neurological cases. The study highlights the need for tailored approaches to support families making critical decisions for their loved ones.
A new study published in Psychological Science finds that the trustworthiness of our intuition is linked to what's happening physically in our bodies. Subtle changes in heart rate and sweat responses affect decision making, with some people relying on intuition to win at a card game.
ASU professors Patricia Gober and Craig Kirkwood assess the impact of climate change on water shortages in Phoenix. Their study provides options for solutions, including changing landscape type, limiting pools, and investing in leak fixes. By embracing uncertainty, residents can reduce risk and protect themselves from water scarcity.
Research from the University of Cincinnati and Massachusetts General Hospital found that warfarin, a common anticoagulant, may not be suitable for all atrial fibrillation patients due to declining stroke risk. The study suggests that treatment guidelines should consider individual patient risks and benefits.
Carnegie Mellon University has launched a new center for climate and energy decision making, developing strategies to protect fragile ecosystems and curb carbon emissions. The center will also educate graduate students on climate change and its impact on the environment.
A review of 134 studies on breast reconstruction found inconsistent reporting and a lack of standardization in outcome assessment. The authors highlight the need for non-clinical factors such as patient-reported outcomes to be incorporated into outcome assessment.
A new study published in Psychological Science found that negative gender stereotypes can influence women's financial decision-making, making them more wary of risk. The researchers discovered that when participants were exposed to these stereotypes, women became less likely to take calculated risks and more cautious in their decisions.
A new study of married couples in the US found that those who score well on a simple test of numeracy ability accumulate more wealth by middle age. Couples where both spouses answered three numeracy-related questions correctly averaged $1.7 million in household wealth, compared to $200,000 for those with poor numeracy skills.
Researchers found that participants trusted specialized technology more than general websites and recommendation agents, with cumulative interaction increasing trust. The study suggests mental shortcuts, such as heuristics, contribute to the perception of expertise and trustworthiness in labeled e-commerce tools.
A recent study found that more than half of surrogate decision makers prefer to have full authority over the choice of life-support for incapacitated patients. However, a significant portion want to share or cede power to physicians. The extent of control varies based on trust in the physician overseeing care.
A study of smokers and non-smokers found that smokers have a thinner cerebral cortex, specifically in the medial orbito-frontal region. This region is crucial for reward, impulse control, and decision-making. Further research is needed to determine if smoking causes or contributes to this brain structure change.
The University of California, Davis is part of a consortium co-hosting the new Southwest Climate Science Center. Researchers say signs of climate change are prevalent in the region, including rising temperatures, earlier snowmelt, and increasing precipitation intensity.
Researchers found humans can engage in higher levels of recursive reasoning, making decisions based on anticipated opponent moves. The study used a game called the "3-2-1-4 Game" and showed participants could easily move beyond first-level thinking to more complex strategies.
NASA has formed a single systems engineering organization for its James Webb Space Telescope, combining Northrop Grumman's expertise with NASA's mission-level decision-making. The new team aims to streamline communication and decision-making, reducing costs and meeting the launch goal with minimal risk.
A recent national study highlights the need to improve engineering education in the US to produce innovative scientists and engineers. The report identifies key opportunities for improvement, including enhancing communication and professional skills, integrating context into design processes, and making undergraduate programs more acce...