A review of the behavioral economics concept of the paradox of choice where some choice is good, but too much choice creates paralysis and dissatisfaction
SW 619Infancy and Early Childhood Development of Drug Addicted.docxmabelf3
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SW 619
Infancy and Early Childhood Development of Drug Addicted Children
While in the womb fetus is in the it feeds off the food intake and nourishment through the
placenta, which also means that any substances such as drugs, alcohol or tobacco that enters the
mothers system flows through the placenta and is delivered to the fetus as well. From birth to three
years old is the most critical period in a child’s development process. Children of mothers that use
drugs while they are pregnant increase the likelihood that the child will suffer from some form of
birth defect and oftentimes born prematurely. The lasting effects of prenatal cocaine affect the
growth of the fetus physically. The results of the increase of premature birth, and generalized growth
retardation including decreased birth weight, shorter body length, and smaller head circumference
(Bigsby et al, 2011; Covington et al, 2002; Gouin et al, 2011; Mayes et al, 2003).Â
These toxic chemicals can sometimes have irreversible damage that affect the child’s normal
development process with regards to proper development of organs and brain function.
From the ages of 0-2 months old a child are expected to have develop motor skills that would
include the ability to recognize different colors and shapes, kicking waving, have the ability to
recognize familiar voices and their sleeping patterns would change, meaning that as they grow older
children should be sleeping a little longer than a new born baby. Children from the ages of 2
months old should be able to extend their arm and reach and pick up toys and other objects,
hand coordination by shifting objects from one hand to another. The child should be able to pick up
finger food and bring it to their mouths. Identifying a problem with a child is when they are not able
to perform these age appropriate task.
A toddler ages 3 to 5 years old should be able to perform task such as holding crayons drawing horizontal lines, circles and have the ability to fold and snip paper with scissors. Children that have been exposed to substance may struggle with completing these tasks or will develop these cognitive skills at a slower rate. One study using play behavior (Rodning, Beckwith, & Howard, 1989a) found that preterm toddlers exposed to cocaine
and other drugs to show poorly developed play behaviors, and a lack of interest and motivation in
unstructured situations, in comparison to a group of high risk preterm children. Using play behavior,
one study found preterm toddlers exposed to cocaine and other drugs to show poorly. However, by
3 years of age, there were no changes associated with fine motor performance or behavior observed
with the child externalizing behavioral problems at age 5 years old. Stress and psychological
symptoms of caregivers were found to be in direct correlation with increased child behavioral issues;
indicating that the effected children may have m.
A review of the behavioral economics concept of the paradox of choice where some choice is good, but too much choice creates paralysis and dissatisfaction
SW 619Infancy and Early Childhood Development of Drug Addicted.docxmabelf3
Â
SW 619
Infancy and Early Childhood Development of Drug Addicted Children
While in the womb fetus is in the it feeds off the food intake and nourishment through the
placenta, which also means that any substances such as drugs, alcohol or tobacco that enters the
mothers system flows through the placenta and is delivered to the fetus as well. From birth to three
years old is the most critical period in a child’s development process. Children of mothers that use
drugs while they are pregnant increase the likelihood that the child will suffer from some form of
birth defect and oftentimes born prematurely. The lasting effects of prenatal cocaine affect the
growth of the fetus physically. The results of the increase of premature birth, and generalized growth
retardation including decreased birth weight, shorter body length, and smaller head circumference
(Bigsby et al, 2011; Covington et al, 2002; Gouin et al, 2011; Mayes et al, 2003).Â
These toxic chemicals can sometimes have irreversible damage that affect the child’s normal
development process with regards to proper development of organs and brain function.
From the ages of 0-2 months old a child are expected to have develop motor skills that would
include the ability to recognize different colors and shapes, kicking waving, have the ability to
recognize familiar voices and their sleeping patterns would change, meaning that as they grow older
children should be sleeping a little longer than a new born baby. Children from the ages of 2
months old should be able to extend their arm and reach and pick up toys and other objects,
hand coordination by shifting objects from one hand to another. The child should be able to pick up
finger food and bring it to their mouths. Identifying a problem with a child is when they are not able
to perform these age appropriate task.
A toddler ages 3 to 5 years old should be able to perform task such as holding crayons drawing horizontal lines, circles and have the ability to fold and snip paper with scissors. Children that have been exposed to substance may struggle with completing these tasks or will develop these cognitive skills at a slower rate. One study using play behavior (Rodning, Beckwith, & Howard, 1989a) found that preterm toddlers exposed to cocaine
and other drugs to show poorly developed play behaviors, and a lack of interest and motivation in
unstructured situations, in comparison to a group of high risk preterm children. Using play behavior,
one study found preterm toddlers exposed to cocaine and other drugs to show poorly. However, by
3 years of age, there were no changes associated with fine motor performance or behavior observed
with the child externalizing behavioral problems at age 5 years old. Stress and psychological
symptoms of caregivers were found to be in direct correlation with increased child behavioral issues;
indicating that the effected children may have m.
Complete a scientific inquiry research using three credible sources..pdfforwardcom41
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Complete a scientific inquiry research using three credible sources. Start by summarizing the
similarities and differences between social inquiry and the everyday assumptions that people
make. In addition, analyze the way claims are made, based on these two different approaches.
Provide at least one example for each.
Solution
Scientific inquiry
Source :Husband and Wife Differences in Response to Undesirable Life Events
In our society today we have so many dynamics to a “family.” Many things factor into these rolls
and they are not things that were seen 10 or even 5 years ago! We have woman’s rights, equality,
Stay at home fathers, gay rights, and single parent homes. The divorce rate is higher than ever
and what was normal for a family last year is not the same today by any means. After reading the
study you realize that the author is testing about how certain stressors in a person’s life can affect
them in different ways depending on what sex they are. The author states that men and woman
deal with things on a different level and each process things in a different manor. Whereas,
something that may affect a man, will not have as much bearing on a woman and vies versa.
Woman tested were more prone to psychological problems like depression and anxiety. Men
tested were more likely to demonstrate other symptoms of distress such as alcohol or drug use.
They believed that men would become more hostile about situations and woman would be
anxious about the same situation
In the present study of 451 married couples living in the rural midwest, gender differences were
examined in reports of exposure and vulnerability to specific types of undesirable life events.
Consistent with expectations derived from either a social structural or identity perspective, the
results demonstrated that men are more likely than women to report exposure to and to be
distressed by work and financial events. Women, on the other hand, are more strongly influenced
by exposure to negative events within the family but not within their network of friends.
Outcomes vary according to the type of emotional distress. Financial stress, for example,
increases hostility among men more than among women, but wives are more likely than
husbands to report somatic complaints in response to the same stressor. The findings demonstrate
the need for future research that more directly investigates the intraindividual and social
mechanisms which account for gender differences in a broad range of emotional and behavioral
responses to varying types of significant life changes.
Inquiry is a natural human activity; that is, people seek a general understanding about the world
around them. We recognize that present circumstances affect future circumstances. We learn that
getting an education will determine the amount of money we earn later in life. The key to inquiry
is observation. We can never understand the way things work without first having something to
understand. Understanding through experienc.
Methods of persuasion, the Six Key PrinciplesPrakhar Gupta
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This presentation is based on Robert Cialdini's book, 'Influence-The Psychology of Persuasion'. Cialdini's theory of influence is based on the principles of reciprocity, commitment and consistency, social proof, authority, liking, and scarcity.
Six key principles of influence.
1. Reciprocity – People tend to return a favor, thus the pervasiveness of free samples in marketing. In his conferences, he often uses the example of Ethiopia providing thousands of dollars in humanitarian aid to Mexico just after the 1985 earthquake, despite Ethiopia suffering from a crippling famine and civil war at the time. Ethiopia had been reciprocating for the diplomatic support Mexico provided when Italy invaded Ethiopia in 1935. The good cop/bad cop strategy is also based on this principle.
2. Commitment and Consistency – If people commit, orally or in writing, to an idea or goal, they are more likely to honor that commitment because of establishing that idea or goal as being congruent with their self-image. Even if the original incentive or motivation is removed after they have already agreed, they will continue to honor the agreement. Cialdini notes Chinese brainwashing on American prisoners of war to rewrite their self-image and gain automatic unenforced compliance. See cognitive dissonance.
3. Social Proof – People will do things that they see other people are doing. For example, in one experiment, one or more confederates would look up into the sky; bystanders would then look up into the sky to see what they were seeing. At one point this experiment aborted, as so many people were looking up that they stopped traffic. See conformity, and the Asch conformity experiments.
4. Authority – People will tend to obey authority figures, even if they are asked to perform objectionable acts. Cialdini cites incidents such as the Milgram experiments in the early 1960s and the My Lai massacre.
5. Liking – People are easily persuaded by other people that they like. Cialdini cites the marketing of Tupperware in what might now be called viral marketing. People were more likely to buy if they liked the person selling it to them. Some of the many biases favoring more attractive people are discussed. See physical attractiveness stereotype.
6. Scarcity – Perceived scarcity will generate demand. For example, saying offers are available for a "limited time only" encourages sales.
SCIENTIFIC UNDERSTANDING OF BEHAVIOR CHP. 1LEARNING OBJECTIVES.docxbagotjesusa
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SCIENTIFIC UNDERSTANDING OF BEHAVIOR CHP. 1
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
· Describe why an understanding of research methods is important.
· Describe the scientific approach to learning about behavior and contrast it with pseudoscientific research.
· Define and give examples of the four goals of scientific research: description, prediction, determination of cause, and explanation of behavior.
· Discuss the three elements for inferring causation: temporal order, covariation of cause and effect, and elimination of alternative explanations.
· Define, describe, compare, and contrast basic and applied research.
Page 2DO SOCIAL MEDIA SITES LIKE FACEBOOK AND INSTAGRAM IMPACT OUR RELATIONSHIPS? What causes alcoholism? How do our early childhood experiences affect our later lives? How do we remember things, what causes us to forget, and how can memory be improved? Why do we procrastinate? Why do some people experience anxiety so extreme that it disrupts their lives while others—facing the same situation—seem to be unaffected? How can we help people who suffer from depression? Why do we like certain people and dislike others?
Curiosity about questions like these is probably the most important reason that many students decide to take courses in the behavioral sciences. Science is the best way to explore and answer these sorts of questions. In this book, we will examine the methods of scientific research in the behavioral sciences. In this introductory chapter, we will focus on ways in which knowledge of research methods can be useful in understanding the world around us. Further, we will review the characteristics of a scientific approach to the study of behavior and the general types of research questions that concern behavioral scientists.
IMPORTANCE OF RESEARCH METHODS
We are continuously bombarded with research results: “Happiness Wards Off Heart Disease,” “Recession Causes Increase in Teen Dating Violence,” “Breast-Fed Children Found Smarter,” “Facebook Users Get Worse Grades in College.” Articles and books make claims about the beneficial or harmful effects of particular diets or vitamins on one's sex life, personality, or health. Survey results are frequently reported that draw conclusions about our beliefs concerning a variety of topics. The key question is, how do you evaluate such reports? Do you simply accept the findings because they are supposed to be scientific? A background in research methods will help you read these reports critically, evaluate the methods employed, and decide whether the conclusions are reasonable.
Many occupations require the use of research findings. For example, mental health professionals must make decisions about treatment methods, assignment of clients to different types of facilities, medications, and testing procedures. Such decisions are made on the basis of research; to make good decisions, mental health professionals must be able to read the research literature in the field and apply it to their professional lives. .
U06A1 (Methods and Findings)
U06A1 (Methods and Findings)
Student:
Institution:
Professor:
Date of Submission:
Introduction
In this assignment, I was able to get a real chance to be in the actual field making first hand observations. It was such an interesting activity to move around and watch natural behaviour in the field. During this time, my main objectives involved making observations of random people in their natural environment and how they behaved, how frequent they were into social media. Their frequency to social media usage was judged by how they were using their gadgets such as tablets and cell phones. Another objective involved getting close enough to hear their conversations and capture their attitude on some aspects. All this was done without their knowledge so as to ensure they had their natural behaviour free from influence.
Another phase of my activity involved asking some questions about their opinions on some issues such as social media usage. These questions were designed in such a way that a response/behaviour would follow soon enough. The reason for these mechanism was to compare their attitudes towards something and how they actually behaved in relation to their attitudes. Most of my questions were social media related so as to ensure I remained relevant to my research and social psychology.
The activity involved observation of ten random subjects and how they interacted with one another, how they behaved as a result of their peer surrounding since the experiment was conducted in a public setting. The observation occurred on two phases. Each phase taking approximately 20-30mins such that I had approximately two minutes for each person. The second phase was the most interesting since this is where I was asking the questions and observing whether the persons would behave in accord to their opinions and attitude. It should be noticed that, at times I would make the observation then pose the question about what I had observed just to see if their actions would match their opinions.
Their entire time in the field was really interesting and mind opening.
Ethical obligations and challenges
Every research will always have some challenges associated with it. The challenges are even more when the subjects under study are humans. This is because we humans have rights and freedoms which ought to be respected and upheld.
My study had several challenges. However, such challenges were tackled professionally such that my results were not biased and no violations of whatsoever kind were made. My first challenge was to target selection. With so many people in a public setting, it is difficult to select a fair sample that would be representative enough. In addition to this, gender and age repre ...
According to recent research, even when you don't get what you want, there's a strong chance that you won't even notice.
For example, imagine that you've been asked to taste two different types of jams and choose your favorite. You are then offered another taste of the one you selected as your favorite and then asked to explain why you chose it. Do you think that you would notice that you actually tasted the jam that you had initially rejected?In a 2010 study by Hall, Johansson, and their colleagues presented just such a scenario to supermarket volunteers, They found that less than 20 percent of participants noticed that they tasted the jam they had turned down just a few moments earlier. In many cases, the difference between the two flavors differed dramatically, ranging from spicy to sweet to bitter.Psychologists refer to this lack of awareness of our own decisions and preference as choice-blindness.
Why aren’t we solving the greatest scientific problems of the world today? Innovation is critical to our nation’s scientific enterprise. However, creative thinking has been on the decline and is not generally taught in academic institutions. Renowned public health scientist and clinician, Dr. Roberta Ness, Dean of the University of Texas Health School of Public Health, believes that students, established scientists, researchers, and engineers can learn to be more innovative. Through her book Innovation Generation: How to Produce Creative and Useful Scientific Ideas, and graduate course on Innovative Thinking at the University of Texas, Dr. Ness provides the framework and tools to “think outside the box.” She shared these basic concepts in this one-hour lecture. Dr. Ness is a leading researcher in women’s health and widely known for her efforts to bridge from research to policy. She is a member of the Institute of Medicine.
Slide 1: Title Slide
Extrachromosomal Inheritance
Slide 2: Introduction to Extrachromosomal Inheritance
Definition: Extrachromosomal inheritance refers to the transmission of genetic material that is not found within the nucleus.
Key Components: Involves genes located in mitochondria, chloroplasts, and plasmids.
Slide 3: Mitochondrial Inheritance
Mitochondria: Organelles responsible for energy production.
Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA): Circular DNA molecule found in mitochondria.
Inheritance Pattern: Maternally inherited, meaning it is passed from mothers to all their offspring.
Diseases: Examples include Leber’s hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) and mitochondrial myopathy.
Slide 4: Chloroplast Inheritance
Chloroplasts: Organelles responsible for photosynthesis in plants.
Chloroplast DNA (cpDNA): Circular DNA molecule found in chloroplasts.
Inheritance Pattern: Often maternally inherited in most plants, but can vary in some species.
Examples: Variegation in plants, where leaf color patterns are determined by chloroplast DNA.
Slide 5: Plasmid Inheritance
Plasmids: Small, circular DNA molecules found in bacteria and some eukaryotes.
Features: Can carry antibiotic resistance genes and can be transferred between cells through processes like conjugation.
Significance: Important in biotechnology for gene cloning and genetic engineering.
Slide 6: Mechanisms of Extrachromosomal Inheritance
Non-Mendelian Patterns: Do not follow Mendel’s laws of inheritance.
Cytoplasmic Segregation: During cell division, organelles like mitochondria and chloroplasts are randomly distributed to daughter cells.
Heteroplasmy: Presence of more than one type of organellar genome within a cell, leading to variation in expression.
Slide 7: Examples of Extrachromosomal Inheritance
Four O’clock Plant (Mirabilis jalapa): Shows variegated leaves due to different cpDNA in leaf cells.
Petite Mutants in Yeast: Result from mutations in mitochondrial DNA affecting respiration.
Slide 8: Importance of Extrachromosomal Inheritance
Evolution: Provides insight into the evolution of eukaryotic cells.
Medicine: Understanding mitochondrial inheritance helps in diagnosing and treating mitochondrial diseases.
Agriculture: Chloroplast inheritance can be used in plant breeding and genetic modification.
Slide 9: Recent Research and Advances
Gene Editing: Techniques like CRISPR-Cas9 are being used to edit mitochondrial and chloroplast DNA.
Therapies: Development of mitochondrial replacement therapy (MRT) for preventing mitochondrial diseases.
Slide 10: Conclusion
Summary: Extrachromosomal inheritance involves the transmission of genetic material outside the nucleus and plays a crucial role in genetics, medicine, and biotechnology.
Future Directions: Continued research and technological advancements hold promise for new treatments and applications.
Slide 11: Questions and Discussion
Invite Audience: Open the floor for any questions or further discussion on the topic.
Nutraceutical market, scope and growth: Herbal drug technologyLokesh Patil
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As consumer awareness of health and wellness rises, the nutraceutical market—which includes goods like functional meals, drinks, and dietary supplements that provide health advantages beyond basic nutrition—is growing significantly. As healthcare expenses rise, the population ages, and people want natural and preventative health solutions more and more, this industry is increasing quickly. Further driving market expansion are product formulation innovations and the use of cutting-edge technology for customized nutrition. With its worldwide reach, the nutraceutical industry is expected to keep growing and provide significant chances for research and investment in a number of categories, including vitamins, minerals, probiotics, and herbal supplements.
A brief information about the SCOP protein database used in bioinformatics.
The Structural Classification of Proteins (SCOP) database is a comprehensive and authoritative resource for the structural and evolutionary relationships of proteins. It provides a detailed and curated classification of protein structures, grouping them into families, superfamilies, and folds based on their structural and sequence similarities.
2. Happy Birthday Ogilvy Change! 3
How to Change Minds and Influence People 4
Bias of the Month 5
The Option to Do Nothing 6
For Richer, for Poorer – Seriously! 7
Life on Repeat 8
Real Life Nudge of the Month 9
Upcoming Events 9
CONTENTS
3. Today, Ogilvy Change are celebrating our fourth birthday. Technically it will only be our first birthday, as we
launched on February 29th in 2012. This was probably the first behaviour changing idea we had: hosting our launch
on a day that isn’t ordinarily in people’s calendars so nobody could say they didn’t have the time to attend.
At first, having a behaviour change department may have been confusing to some. David Ogilvy’s mantra wasn't,
“We improve brand engagement, or else”. From the very start, Ogilvy has always been focused on selling and
changing behaviour. Fast forward thirty years and our Vice Chairman Rory Sutherland is flying the behaviour
change flag after discovering the huge leaps currently being made in the social sciences. Rory was ill for a few
days and began reading even more widely than normal and stumbled across marketing’s long-lost cousin
behavioural economics. Ogilvy Change opened for business, combining the foundation of science with the power
of creativity.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY OGILVY CHANGE!
In the beginning, we experimented on our colleagues at Ogilvy and
carried out a string of experiments under the radar, which you may
have unknowingly participated in. One of the most successful was
our breakfast experiment. In the reception of our old Canary Wharf
office, we set up a table filled with bananas, apples and oranges, as
well as some delicious chocolate muffins. What our unwitting
participants didn’t expect was one of the Ogilvy Change team
covertly counting their choices. Over a series of trials, we tested out
a range of psychological techniques to get people to choose the
healthy option. Our most successful nudge was putting a giant
mirror behind the table to cause a moment’s self-reflection, which
inevitably led to people taking the waistline-friendly approach.
Read more about our first four years and our birthday here.
4. HOW TO CHANGE MINDS AND INFLUENCE PEOPLE
Why is it that people can cling on to certain beliefs even when they are presented with facts that lead to the opposite conclusion?
The prevailing theory has been that, when confronted with information contrary to our beliefs, we experience negative emotions
like anger. When our mental state is negative in this way, it becomes harder to process the information we’re given, and therefore
we fail to take it into account and adjust our beliefs accordingly.
However, new evidence suggests that this may not be the whole story. Instead, a study by Trevors et al (2016) points to the
conclusion that being faced with disruptive facts can lead us to question our identity, so as a defensive mechanism against this we
have to reject the new facts – which means that objectively correct arguments are disregarded, and can even backfire. Participants
were asked a series of questions to ascertain their knowledge of and attitudes towards genetically modified organisms (GMOs); a
very emotive topic, yet one that is rife with misconceptions. One question of particular interest was, “I often think about the lasting
effects of the foods I eat”, as an indication of the importance placed on dietary purity. After reading some information to challenge
anti-GMO beliefs, participants to whom dietary purity was a key part of their identity reported higher negative emotional responses,
and were even more likely to be anti-GMO than before. In other words, the factual argument backfired.
Trevors, G., Muis, K., Pekrun, R., Sinatra, G., & Winne, P. (2016). Identity and Epistemic Emotions during Knowledge Revision: A Potential Account for the Backfire Effect
Discourse Processes. In press.
This is consistent with a study published last year by Nyhan and Reifler (2015), who
explored people’s attitudes to being vaccinated against the flu. A worryingly high
proportion of the US population believes that flu vaccines can cause flu, which naturally
has consequences for public health. In their study, they found that people who indicated
they were unduly concerned about the side effects of the vaccine were even less likely to
consider getting vaccinated after receiving accurate information about the incredibly low
risks. Despite a fall in their false beliefs, intentions to get vaccinated dropped from 46% to
28%. The authors suggested that this paradoxical effect may be due to people trying
even harder to maintain their original attitude in the presence of contradictory information.
Trying to change people’s minds, particularly when they could really benefit from an
updated viewpoint, is a challenge we all face in our personal and professional lives. This
evidence on the backfire effect suggests that it may be unproductive to challenge
people’s views directly. One thing that can be effective is giving them an excuse to
change their minds, so they can be reassured that they weren’t wrong to believe what
they believed before. Changing our minds because the situation has changed, or new
evidence has come to light, is much less embarrassing and allows us to preserve our
identity more than having to admit we were just wrong.
5. BIAS OF THE MONTH
Door in the Face Technique
Cialdini, R. B., Vincent, J. E., Lewis, S. K., Catalan, J., Wheeler, D., & Darby, B. L. (1975). Reciprocal Concessions Procedure for Inducing Compliance: The Door-in-
the-Face Technique. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 31 (2), 206-215.
The foot in the door effect is a well-studied persuasion technique based on
the principle of reciprocity: people feel a sense of obligation to give back to
someone, after they’ve received something from that person. The foot in the
door technique is the finding that refusing a large request increases the
likelihood that a person will agree to a second smaller request. Saying “no”
to a large request makes the refuser feel they owe the person who asked a
favour.
To see this technique in action, Cialdini et al (1975) asked some unwitting
participants if they would escort a group of young offenders to the zoo, most
of whom refused (control group 1). The authors also asked another group if
they would spend three hours a week as a peer councillor to young
offenders for two years; again, most said no (control group 2).
For the third group (experimental group), he asked the participants first if
they would be peer councillors. When they said no, he downgraded the
request and asked them if they would escort the young offenders to the zoo;
50% now agreed. Further research on this technique found that it produces
high levels of compliance only when the same person makes the request,
and the request is similar in nature.
6. THE OPTION TO DO NOTHING
Schrift, R. Y., & Parker, J. R. (2014). Staying the Course: The Option of Doing Nothing and Its Impact on Postchoice Persistence. Psychological Science, 25 (3) 772–780.
As humans we like having choice and the feeling of control over our choices. We also don’t make choices in isolation; context and
other options within the choice set has a significant impact over what we choose. For example, research has shown that we tend to
choose the middle option, and this bias can be manipulated to make us choose a more expensive item. When choosing a new
television and the available options are priced at ÂŁ50, ÂŁ100 or ÂŁ150, we tend to choose the TV that is ÂŁ100. When the choice set
changes to ÂŁ100, ÂŁ150 or ÂŁ200, we then tend to choose the ÂŁ150 TV.
A piece of research within this field investigated what happened when the option of “doing nothing” was added to the choice set. In
one study, participants were asked to identify as many words as possible from one to two word search puzzles. One puzzle
contained the names of famous actors, and the other capital cities. All the participants were told they would be paid for every correct
answer and could quit at anytime. They were then randomly allocated to one of three conditions:
1) Forced choice - participants were asked to choose either the capital cities or famous people puzzle to work on.
2) Rejectable choice - participants were asked to choose one of the puzzles to work on but were also given a third option: do neither
of the quizzes and leave the study, i.e. do nothing.
3) Forced choice with 3 options - participants were asked to choose to do the puzzles containing famous people, capital cities or
famous ballet dancers
Results found no difference between group 1 and 3 in the amount of time
that participants spent on the task, but those in group 2 who could have
chosen to leave the task but actively choose to proceed spent 40% more
time on the task. The researchers noted that by giving these participants the
option of doing nothing, which meant they had to actively choose to continue,
it was reinforced in their minds that their chosen path was a good one: if it
wasn’t, surely they would have opted out. This tactic can be risky as you do
risk people choosing to do nothing, but with such a significant increase in
engagement of those who choose to continue doing the task. Having fewer
but more engaged participants could be more beneficial that having more but
less engaged participants.
7. FOR RICHER, FOR POORER – SERIOUSLY!
Couples stand up in front of their loved ones on their wedding day and promise to stand by each other “for better, for
worse…for richer, for poorer” – but your choice of partner does in fact determine your financial future. A new piece of
research based on an Australian population found that a spouse’s personality traits have a significant impact on their
partner’s work outcomes, incomes and promotions.
The researchers looked at the “big five” personality traits of married couples and found that the trait of conscientiousness
was the greatest predictor of their spouse’s income, number of promotions and job satisfaction, regardless of gender.
Conscientiousness is the personality trait of being thorough and careful, and implies a desire to do a task well. People who
score highly on this trait are efficient and organised, rather than easy-going and disorderly.
Solomon, B. C., & Jackson, J. J. (2014). The Long Reach of One’s Spouse: Spouses’ Personality Influences Occupational Success. Psychological Science, 25 (12), 2189-
2198.
To put the finding into dollar terms, the researchers found that with
every one standard deviation increase in a spouse’s
conscientiousness, an individual is likely to earn approximately $4000
more per year, averaging across all ages and occupations. The
researchers then delved even deeper into the data, which allowed
them to also understand why spousal conscientiousness matters. First,
conscientious spouses handled a lot of household chores, allowing the
employee to concentrate on work. Secondly, these spouses make the
employee feel secure and satisfied in their marriages, enabling them to
place all their focus on work rather than dealing with drama at home.
Finally, employees tend to emulate their conscientious spouse’s
diligent habits at work, making them a better employee overall.
If maximising your finances through your work is a core goal of yours, maybe get your significant other to do a personality
test before you walk down the aisle – or even on a first date if you don’t want to waste your time.
8. LIFE ON REPEAT
Russell, C.A., & Levy, S.J. (2012). The Temporal and Focal Dynamics of Volitional Reconsumption: A Phenomenological Investigation of Repeated Hedonic Experiences.
Journal of Consumer Research, 39 (2), 341-359.
New technology like Netflix and Kindle has made it easier than ever for us to watch as many shows and read as many
books as we like. However, even with all of this content available at our fingertips, we still find ourselves revisiting our
favourites, and watching or reading them over and over again. It’s been calculated that, for every hour of music we listen to,
54 minutes of that is music we’ve heard before. What is it that drives us to relive these experiences?
Russell and Levy (2012) interviewed 23 individuals about their “hedonic
volitional reconsumption”; in other words, the enjoyment they received from
rewatching films, rereading books and revisiting geographic locations. It turns
out there are four main reasons why people re-indulge in an activity. The first
is, quite simply, that they like it, and want to experience it again. This may not
be as straightforward as it seems, though: the “mere exposure” effect ensures
we like something more when we are already familiar with it. This suggests
that the more we watch something, the more we’ll like it – not the other way
round. The second reason is nostalgia. There are two types of nostalgia:
historical, for the past generally, and autobiographical, for the past events of
our own lives. Films and books from our past are particularly good at activating
the former, while listening to well-worn songs from years gone by can take us
straight back to a more personal moment of history. The third reason is for the
therapeutic effects that nostalgia can provide. We know exactly what kind of
emotional journey that an old book or film will take us on, unlike something
new which could be even better – or a big disappointment.
The fourth and final reason is more existential. When we revisit something that was an important part of our past, for
example music that we listened to during the first year of university, we’re immediately transported back there – but we’re
also soothed by the benefit of hindsight, knowing how problems were resolved and relationships panned out. This
dynamic link between our past, present and future selves allows us to re-examine our experiences and make sense of our
lives through this lens. It’s not about the object we’re reconsuming at all; it’s about ourselves in relation to it.
9. Spotted: Scarcity on Booking.com
Travel websites are the best at activating loss
aversion, convincing us we have to book a flight or a
room right away to avoid missing out. Booking.com
have got this down to a fine art, with no fewer than
three pieces of scare-mongering information greeting
you as you try to book a hotel room. In this example,
you are told that the Hotel Savoy has already been
booked four times today, with another four people
looking at it – but there are only two rooms left, so
you’d better book before someone else does! While
these tactics may lose their effectiveness as they
become more and more widespread, for the time
being they are still certainly very motivating.
REAL LIFE NUDGE OF THE MONTH
UPCOMING EVENTS
Behavioural Boozeonomics with the London Behavioural Economics Network
Monday 14th March, 7.00-10.30pm
The Comedy Pub, Piccadilly
NIBS Conference 2016
Monday 4th – Wednesday 6th April
University of East Anglia