Articles tagged with Decision Making
Researchers at Duke University's Fuqua School of Business and the Wisconsin School of Business found that people are consistently overly optimistic when predicting future behavior. By asking individuals to make two sets of predictions - one ideal and one realistic - participants reported more accurate estimates and improved decision-ma...
A new project aims to analyze if ethical training programs can prevent doping and unfair behavior in sports by teaching ethical competencies. The online program will be designed to evaluate its effectiveness in preventing doping among young elite athletes aged 12-14.
Researchers at Virginia Tech have created a mathematical model to explore the roles of noise in controlling DNA replication and cell division. The study reveals flaws in two accepted notions about information processing in single cells, suggesting that the average number of mRNA molecules must be much larger than previously thought.
Researchers found that shoppers focus on the first digit of prices, leading to biased decision-making. The study suggests that consumers should be aware of this tendency when making purchases.
A study found that people tend to overestimate their long-term enjoyment of products, leading them to choose cheaper options with fewer features. This is because consumers who think about how long they will use a product and anticipate decreased enjoyment are less likely to buy premium items.
Taxonomist Barbara Taylor highlights the need to consider uncertainty in taxonomy for threatened and endangered species. She proposes incorporating uncertainty into decision-making processes using risk assessment models, which can aid precautionary conservation measures.
A new study confirms that young teenagers think less about the future than adults, but it's not because they're impulsive. Research suggests that immaturity in brain systems governing sensation seeking, rather than self-control, contributes to this phenomenon.
A study by Rutgers University scientists found that both humans and mice are proficient in assessing risk, challenging traditional views of human decision-making. The research suggests that risk assessment is a programmed cognitive mechanism that is present in many animals.
A new study published in the Journal of Consumer Research found that people who deliberately weigh their options make less accurate judgments than those who trust their instincts. In five separate studies, researchers found that complex decisions led to decreased effectiveness of deliberation.
A new study in Strategic Management Journal examines how outside directors' prior experience influences a firm's acquisitions. The study finds that firms with experienced directors make better acquisition decisions, especially when the acquired products are similar to those being pursued by the firm.
A study of healthcare providers and patients found that they often disagree on the need for total knee replacement surgery, despite both agreeing on its benefits. Patient satisfaction and adherence to treatment recommendations improve when there is greater agreement between providers and patients.
A study of surrogate decision-makers for critically ill patients found that 87% want to hear all prognostic estimates, even if uncertain. Family members value candor in discussing uncertain outcomes and want to prepare for the chance of their loved one's death.
Researchers at the University of Rochester found that humans make optimal decisions when their unconscious brain processes information. A test revealed that people's brains subconsciously gather data and reach a confidence threshold before reporting a decision to the conscious mind.
New brain-imaging research from UC San Diego finds that visual areas respond more strongly to objects of value, altering neural activation in the human visual system. This altered processing affects not only high-level cognitive function but also early stages of information processing.
A new study examines how consumers evaluate brand features to make choices, finding that goal-oriented individuals prefer rapid progress in decision-making, while those focused on avoiding mistakes value detailed information. This understanding has important implications for designing persuasive marketing messages.
The special section of Medical Decision Making examines three evidence-based theories to assess, prevent, and intervene in healthcare decisions. These theories provide a bridge between research advances and health outcomes.
A University of Minnesota study using fMRI scans found that considering a third, less attractive option can improve preference for the better item. This 'decoy effect' can help consumers make easier choices, reducing negative emotions and increasing sales for retailers.
A recent study found that powerful individuals make better decisions when they engage in unconscious thinking, similar to the way most people process information. The research suggests that having power changes how people think and approach complex decision-making.
Researchers found that unconscious thought was not always effective in making the best choices. Instead, thinking about a decision at one's own pace and focusing on the problem led to larger payoffs. The study suggests that relying on self-paced conscious thought can be a more reliable approach for complex decisions.
Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory have created new agent-based models to better understand market behavior and predict potential economic catastrophes. These models use information from surveys and simulations to forecast how individual actors in a market make decisions, allowing policymakers to anticipate and avoid meltdowns.
Researchers at UT Health Science Center Houston are tackling healthcare information technology issues using a $1.3 million AHRQ grant, focusing on projects to increase patient safety. The trainees aim to design systems that help physicians prioritize notifications and make informed decisions in the emergency room.
Neuroscientists from the University of Washington found that stress impairs rats' ability to seek out larger rewards in a maze, lasting several days. A study using rats and muscimol to inactivate the amygdala showed that stressed rats were unable to adjust their behavior and learn from experience.
Stickleback fish follow a consensus decision-making process to choose their leader, prioritizing size, fatness, and health. As group size increases, accuracy improves, but occasional errors occur due to submission to peers and cascades of incorrect decisions.
Entrepreneurs are riskier decision-makers than managers, according to a study published in Nature. The study found that entrepreneurs' 'functional impulsivity', or ability to make quick decisions under stress, is linked to brain neurochemistry and may be possible to teach or enhance with pharmaceuticals.
Researchers found that making comparisons, even on unrelated topics, activates a comparative mind-set that boosts willingness to buy one out of two options. This effect persists and influences decisions in subsequent situations.
Researchers found that people choose differently when given feedback in experiential choices compared to descriptive choices. The study suggests that feedback may drive individuals towards rational decision-making by treating small probabilities more objectively.
Scientists report that a simple decision-making task does not involve the frontal lobes, instead relying on the parietal lobe to process sensory information and control responses. This finding challenges the traditional view of human decision-making as willful acts, suggesting that many decisions may be driven by automatic processes.
A new study examines how stress affects decision-making in older and younger adults, revealing that stressed older adults alter their behavior more significantly. The researchers found that stressed older adults were not only more cautious but also jerkier drivers, braking almost three times as much as their calmer peers.
A study published in Management Science found that distant participants make less accurate judgments when communicating via videoconferencing. Face-to-face meetings allow for more nuanced interpretation of nonverbal cues.
A study published in Medical Decision Making found that cardiac risk estimates vary between Christians and Muslims, with more serious estimates given to Christians. The research highlights the psychological impact of mortality concerns on healthcare decisions.
Norhealth is a web-based system monitoring health trends and risk factors in Norway, creating a knowledge base for health strategies. The Norwegian Institute of Public Health has developed this leading public health information system in Europe.
The International Council for Science has launched a 10-year research program to address the gaps in knowledge and methods preventing effective application of science to mitigate disasters. The program aims to provide enhanced global capacity to address hazards and make better decisions to reduce their impacts.
Thomas L. Saaty, inventor of AHP, revolutionized decision-making with a breakthrough methodology that's widely used in business and government. His work has had a broad practical impact on operations research and related fields.
Research funded by the Wellcome Trust found people with autism spectrum disorders tend to be more consistent in their decision-making due to reduced emotional influence. This attention to detail can help them avoid irrational choices but may hinder social interactions that require gut instincts.
A study published in Psychological Science found that people who rely on their emotions during negotiations tend to make simpler and cleaner offers, but still achieve good outcomes. This suggests that emotional decision making may be both simpler and more lucrative than traditional calculation-based approaches.
Researchers found that web search activity stimulates key centers in the brain, controlling decision-making and complex reasoning. This triggers a greater extent of neural circuitry, indicating potential benefits for cognitive function in older adults.
A new study in the Journal of Consumer Research found that consumers are more likely to make a purchase when given complete information about products. Marketers can apply these strategies to reduce the number of customers who leave empty-handed and increase sales.
A new report highlights the issue of statistical illiteracy in health, with misleading presentation of relative risks and lack of absolute risk information. The problem affects both doctors and patients, leading to incorrect decisions and actions.
A study found that sequential withdrawal of life support is more common than thought and associated with higher satisfaction among surviving family members. The study suggests that improving communication between physicians and families is key to better care.
A new study finds that companies in Democratic states tend to have higher corporate social responsibility (CSR) ratings than those in Republican states. The research analyzed the 2004 presidential election results of communities where corporate headquarters are located, revealing a correlation between political views and CSR ratings.
Researchers found that people who are presented with vague information after making a decision tend to feel more optimistic about their choice. In three studies, participants were shown to be more optimistic when given incomplete nutritional information or sketchy reviews on products like chocolates and hand lotions.
A new study finds that brief interruptions can alter purchasing decisions, causing a shift from detail-oriented, price-conscious thinking to goal-oriented, price-insensitive consideration. Participants who were interrupted in decision-making processes prioritized qualities like satisfaction and desirability over feasibility and price.
A new study published in Journal of Consumer Research found that ad placement influences consumer perception, with experts reacting differently to positive and negative context. The researchers discovered that knowledgeable consumers evaluate products more favorably when presented with relevant context ads.
Dr. Torke, an assistant professor of medicine at Indiana University School of Medicine, will conduct a large study on surrogate decision making for hospitalized older adults. The two-year, $200,000 award is sponsored by the John A. Hartford Foundation and supports physician-scientists focused on improving healthcare for older adults.
A new study in Strategic Management Journal reveals that Boards of Directors commonly make faulty hires when they hire CEOs from outside the firm. Creating nominating committees with leadership by outside directors can help avoid this problem and increase the chances of a newly appointed CEO succeeding.
Researchers developed a tool, Distribution Builder, to help investors understand their risk attitudes and make informed decisions. The tool estimates unacceptable risk levels using probability distributions, enabling users to construct better preferences.
Research reveals physicians often grapple with balancing patient needs with those of surrogates in medical decision-making. Surrogate decision-makers' wishes can sometimes take precedence over patient prior wishes, highlighting the complexity of this process.
Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory discovered that laboratory rats' brains signal uncertainty when making decisions, reflecting their level of confidence. The study found that rats preferentially abort uncertain trials, indicating that confidence plays a crucial role in guiding behavior.
A new study found that referees tend to award more points to tae kwon do competitors dressed in red than those dressed in blue. The researchers discovered a split-second bias toward red-clad athletes when competitors are evenly matched in skill.
Researchers created a new prognostic model for traumatic brain injury using patient characteristics from the IMPACT database, including age, motor component of Glasgow coma score, and pupillary reactivity. The model also includes haemoglobin and glucose measurement, providing a more comprehensive prediction of outcomes.
A study published in The Lancet Neurology found that telemedicine consultations resulted in more accurate decision-making compared to telephone consultations for patients with acute stroke. The study showed a 98% correct treatment decision rate for telemedicine versus 82% for telephone consultations.
Minority women were significantly less likely to be aware of their odds of survival after five years, regardless of surgeon volume or hospital setting. Women who asked about treatment options had better knowledge, highlighting the need for clear communication from surgeons.
A new software has been developed to delete confidential patient data from medical records, leaving essential information intact. The system was tested on a large database of nursing notes and successfully removed over 94% of sensitive information, with only 0.2% of useful content mistakenly deleted.
The US EPA has funded three interdisciplinary teams to explore the links between biodiversity and human health, focusing on Lyme disease and West Nile encephalitis. Research will investigate how environmental factors and people's behaviors contribute to disease transmission.
Researchers from the University of Bristol found that mammals have two decision-making systems: a fast-but-inaccurate sub-cortical brain and a slow-but-accurate outer cortex. The study suggests that the older system may still be beneficial in modern situations, potentially preventing atrophy and smaller brains in future humans.
A study published in Decision Analysis warns that long-term climate change policy is likely to change slowly, requiring stronger short-term goals. The researcher argues that considering path dependence in decision-making justifies greater near-term emissions reductions as a hedging strategy.
Expressing fuel efficiency in gallons per mile rather than miles per gallon can help consumers choose more fuel-efficient cars. This format reveals the actual gas savings from improvements in fuel efficiency, making it easier for families to identify the most efficient option within their chosen car class.
Roger Schroeder examines Six Sigma's effectiveness in cutting costs and improving profitability. He defines the methodology and builds an academic framework, identifying consistent elements such as parallel-meso structures, strategic project selection, leadership engagement, and structured methodologies.
A team of Cornell researchers has created a computer program to optimize ambulance deployment and reduce response times. The program estimates the best way to spread ambulances across a municipality to maximize coverage at all times.
Researchers from Cardiff University challenge the reliability of Hawk-Eye's line call accuracy, suggesting that sports decision aids should come with a 'health' warning. The study proposes the Automated Decision Principle, which states that automated systems should reproduce human systematic errors rather than correcting them.