Study looks at why people make high-risk decisions
From the Johns Hopkins University press release: Picture yourself at a Las Vegas poker table, holding a bad hand — one with a very low chance of winning. Even so, the sight of the large…
Study suggests that context shapes choice of healthy foods
From the Duke University press release: Pop quiz: Given a choice between indulgent and healthy foods, what will most people pick? The answer may depend on what other foods sit nearby on the grocery shelf,…
Study looks at how attention affects decision-making
From the Ohio State University press release: Scientists using eye-tracking technology have found that what we look at helps guide our decisions when faced with two visible choices, such as snack food options. But it…
Study examines link between job titles and gender equality
From the Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics press release: Der Buchhalter, der Musiker, der Student. Three relatively unassuming, everyday German words, but there might be more to them than meets the eye. In today’s society,…
Study suggests people take more risks when the general mood of a city is good
From the McGill University press release: What makes people take risks? Not stunt women or formula 1 drivers. Just ordinary people like you and me. Research published this week in PLOS ONEsuggests that unexpected improvements in…
Study suggests personality and mood affect brain response to personal choice
From the Elsevier press release: Personality traits and mental health affect how people value personal control in decision making, according to a new study in Biological Psychiatry: Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging. Our brain’s reward and motivation…
Study suggests brain prioritizes rewarding experiences for storage
From the Columbia University press release: The brain’s ability to preserve memories lies at the heart of our basic human experience. But how does the brain’s mechanism for memory make sure we remember the most…
Study suggests casino lights and sounds encourage risky decision-making
From the University of British Columbia press release: The blinking lights and exciting jingles in casinos may encourage risky decision-making and potentially promote problem gambling behaviour, suggests new research from the University of British Columbia.…
Study finds brain signal that may be connected to food preference decisions
From the Johns Hopkins University press release: At holiday buffets and potlucks, people make quick calculations about which dishes to try and how much to take of each. Johns Hopkins University neuroscientists have found a…
Study suggests even small gifts boost business
From the University of Zurich press release: If a sales agent brings their customer a small gift, the customer is much more likely to make a purchase, a study by the university of Zurich has…