From 2019... A meta-analytical and experimental examination of blood glucose effects on decision making under risk

A meta-analytical and experimental examination of blood glucose effects on decision making under risk. Jacob Lund Orquin, Jacob Dalgaard Christensen, Carl-Johan Lagerkvist. Judgment and Decision Making, Vol. xx, No. x, Month 20xx, pp. 1024–1036. http://journal.sjdm.org/19/191213/jdm191213.pdf

Abstract: Previous research has shown that short-term changes in blood glucose influence our preferences and may affect decisions about risk as well. However, consensus is lacking about whether and how blood glucose influences decision making under risk, and we conduct two experiments and a meta-analysis to examine this question in detail. In Study 1, using a pecuniary valuation method, we find no effect of blood glucose on willingness to pay for risky products that may act as allergens. In Study 2, using risky gambles, we find that low levels of blood glucose increase risk taking for food and to a lesser degree for non-food rewards. Combining our own and previous findings in a meta-analysis, we show that low levels of blood glucose on average increase risk taking about food. Low blood glucose does not increase risk taking about non-food rewards although this is subject to heterogeneity. Overall, our studies suggest that low blood glucose increases our willingness to gamble on how much food we can get, but not our willingness to eat food that can harm us. Our findings are best explained by the energy budget rule.

Keywords: risk; blood glucose; decision making; meta-analysis; energy budget rule

The Who and Why of Consensual Nonmonogamy Among African Americans

The Who and Why of Consensual Nonmonogamy Among African Americans. Noelle M. St. Vil, Natalie M. Leblanc & Kelly N. Giles. Archives of Sexual Behavior, Nov 25 2020. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs10508-020-01835-3

Abstract: Prevalence rates of consensual nonmonogamy (CNM) demonstrate little difference across race. Yet, not much is known about CNM among African Americans. Through an online survey study, we examined the correlates of CNM among African Americans as well as the reasons why they engage. A total of 1050 African Americans between the ages of 18–40 years participated in this study. Binomial logistic regression was utilized to determine the correlates of CNM. Sexual orientation was the only significant predictor of CNM. The following variables were nonsignificant predictors of CNM: age, gender, household income, religiosity, and education. Qualitative analysis revealed several reasons for CNM engagement: (1) belief that it is natural; (2) excitement; (3) not meant for each other; (4) scared of losing partner; (5) bisexuality; (6) does not want commitment; and (7) maintain honesty, trust, and integrity. This study adds to the sparse knowledge base of CNM among African Americans.

People making flattering descriptions of their relatives and loved ones were seen as biased but likeable, whereas people who did not enhance (nor denigrate) their loves ones were seen as realistic but not likeable

The Effects of Bias Perception on Trait Impressions of People Describing Themselves vs. Others. Joao Amaral. Universidade de Lisboa, PhD Thesis, 2020. https://repositorio.ul.pt/bitstream/10451/44955/1/ulfpie055745_tm.pdf

Rolf Degen's take: https://twitter.com/DegenRolf/status/1332583413526761473

Abstract: Past research has showed that people expect others to be biased, and these perceptions of bias, in some contexts, can be associated with negative impressions. A widely studied example of a biased claim is self-enhancement, where people blatantly describe themselves as better than others. The Hubris Hypothesis predicts that these people are evaluated negatively. The present research replicates this finding, but it shows the opposite pattern when these comparative appraisals are directed towards others. People making flattering descriptions of their relatives and loved ones were seen as biased but likeable, whereas people who did not enhance (nor denigrate) their loves ones were seen as realistic but not likeable. This research suggests a more nuanced version of the role of bias perception in impression formation, whereby biased appraisals are expected in certain domains, and they can inspire favorable impressions when directed towards others.

Keywords: enhancement; hubris hypothesis; bias perception; social desirability; better-thanaverage effect

People perceive more severe environmental problems in the country at large than in their own neck of the world

A Within-Country Study of Biased Comparative Judgements About the Severity of Environmental Problems.  Taciano L. Milfont, Robert Thomson. Social Psychology Bulletin, Vol 15 No 3, Oct 30 2020. https://doi.org/10.32872/spb.3019

Rolf Degen's take: https://twitter.com/DegenRolf/status/1332601143898333184

Abstract: The spatial and temporal reach of contemporary environmental problems are unparalleled. Collective efforts to address global environmental problems are required but actions to tackle these problems demand initial recognition of their seriousness. Cross-cultural research has shown a reliable bias in comparative judgements about the severity of environmental problems for geographically distant places, with environmental issues perceived to be more severe “there” than “here.” The robustness of this effect may have unwarranted consequences since perceiving environmental problems as being worse elsewhere might lead individuals to not take actions in their locality. We conducted a within-country study to test whether this spatial bias would emerge for samples from all Brazilian states (k = 27, N = 4,265; 85% female; Age M = 24; Age SD = 9.67). Providing further support for a biased comparative judgement, we observed that the severity of environmental problems was judged as worse at the country level than at the state level (mean spatial bias score among Brazilian states = 0.54). Only 2% of the variation in spatial bias was attributable to across-state differences. By replicating cross-cultural findings within a single nation, our findings provide further support for the prevalence and generalizability of biased comparative judgements about the severity of environmental problems. We discuss critical future directions for spatial bias research.

Women were less prone than men to accept a moral violation, such as killing someone to save their own lives and the lives of others; & were more emotionally involved and experienced dysphoric emotions more often than men

Gender Differences in Solving Moral Dilemmas: Emotional Engagement, Care and Utilitarian Orientation. P. Cordellieri, M. Boccia, L. Piccardi, D. Kormakova, L. V. Stoica, F. Ferlazzo, C. Guariglia & A. M. Giannini. Psychological Studies, November 25 2020. https://rd.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12646-020-00573-9

Abstract: Moral sense is important for determining human behaviour. Moral sense becomes crucial in operational environments in which choices must be made that have complex moral implications in highly stressful situations. Behavioural and neuroimaging findings have shown the existence of gender-related differences in moral reasoning. The present study aimed to investigate whether gender affects moral reasoning and emotional state. We also investigated whether empathy, decision-making and emotional regulation strategies had a role in determining gender differences in solving moral dilemmas. We found that moral judgements and emotional engagement were significantly different. Women were less prone than men to accept a moral violation, such as killing someone to save their own lives and the lives of others. Furthermore, women were more emotionally involved and experienced dysphoric emotions more often than men. Our results shed light upon the mechanisms that affect moral reasoning and determine gender differences in solving moral dilemmas.

Strong partisanship relates to exposure to both left- and right-leaning hyperpartisan news; & exposure to left- (right-)leaning hyperpartisan content relates to negative (positive) affective involvement

Hyperpartisan News Use: Relationships with Partisanship and Cognitive and Affective Involvement. Cynthia Peacock et al. Mass Communication and Society, Nov 24 2020. Download citation https://doi.org/10.1080/15205436.2020.1844902

Rolf Degen's take: https://twitter.com/DegenRolf/status/1332553895982272512

Abstract: This paper revisits the issue of partisan selectivity in the era of prevalent false, misleading, and biased information. We surveyed a representative sample of adults living in the United States to investigate the relationships among hyperpartisan news use, partisanship, and cognitive and affective involvement. First, we find that strong partisanship—from both Democrats and Republicans—relates to exposure to both left- and right-leaning hyperpartisan news. Second, exposure to left-leaning hyperpartisan content relates to negative affective involvement, while exposure to right-leaning hyperpartisan news relates to positive affective involvement. Neither left- nor right-leaning hyperpartisan news use relates to cognitive involvement, though traditional news use does. These findings add to the literature on partisan selective exposure and provide new details about the makeup of news audiences and their cognitive and affective involvement with hyperpartisan news.

Check also The Gender Gap in Online News Comment Sections. Emily Van Duyn, Cynthia Peacock, Natalie Jomini Stroud. Social Science Computer Review, July 26, 2019. https://www.bipartisanalliance.com/2019/07/women-are-less-likely-than-men-to.html

Not in need of reputation: Capuchin monkeys did not share more food when in the presence of an observer

Testing the two sides of indirect reciprocity in tufted capuchin monkeys. Gabriele Schino et al. Behavioural Processes, November 28 2020, 104290. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.beproc.2020.104290

Highlights

• We studied two aspects of indirect reciprocity in tufted capuchin monkeys.

• Recent groomers did not receive increased grooming, compared to recent groomees.

• Capuchin monkeys did not share more food when in the presence of an observer.

• We conclude that capuchin monkeys do not engage in indirect reciprocity.

Abstract: We addressed two different aspects of indirect reciprocity in tufted capuchin monkeys (Sapajus spp.) studying two common cooperative behaviours, grooming and food sharing. In an observational study, we tested whether capuchin monkeys were more likely to groom an individual that had just groomed a group mate than an individual that had not groomed anybody. In an experimental study, we tested whether capuchin monkeys were more likely to share their food with a partner when in the presence of a bystander (or of an image of the eyes of a conspecific) than when alone with their partner. In the observational study, we found an increase in the likelihood of receiving grooming after giving grooming, but this effect seemed to depend on social facilitation rather than on indirect reciprocity, as we found a similar effect after receiving (rather than giving) grooming. In the experimental study, the presence of a bystander or of an image of eyes did not affect the amount of food transferred to a group mate. Overall, these results suggest capuchin monkeys do not engage in indirect reciprocity.

Keywords: Indirect reciprocitysocial facilitationgroomingfood sharingSapajus spp.

In previous research, sighing in daily life was related to subclinical depression; lay people believe sighing is related to trait negative emotionality; contradicting assumptions, sighing was unrelated to negative emotionality

Is Frequent Sighing an Indicator of Dispositional Negative Emotionality? A Multi-Sample, Multi-Measure Naturalistic-Observation Study. Alexander F. Danvers et al. Journal of Research in Personality, November 28 2020, 104046. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrp.2020.104046

Highlights

• In previous research, sighing in daily life was related to subclinical depression.

• Lay people believe sighing is related to trait negative emotionality.

• We used recordings made throughout the daily lives of many people to code frequency of sighing.

• Contradicting assumptions, sighing was unrelated to negative emotionality.

• Sighing may have a more complex relationship to emotional experience.

Abstract: Sighing is a common nonverbal everyday behavior thought to signal the experiencing of negative emotions. Prior research from a small-scale study suggests that observed daily expressions of sighing is associated with subclinical depression (Robbins, Mehl, Holleran, & Kasle, 2011). This paper replicates and extends these findings, hypothesizing that individual differences in negative emotionality are associated with frequency of spontaneous sighing. Study 1 (N = 320) documents a strong lay assumption that frequent sighing signals dispositional negative emotionality. Study 2 estimates the actual association between daily sighing, assessed naturalistically using the Electronically Activated Recorder (EAR), and negative emotionality in a large, diverse, pooled sample (N = 469). Bayesian tests across six measures (neuroticism, depression, anxiety, stress, fatigue, loneliness) strongly support the null model. Together, results suggest the common intuition that people who sigh frequently experience more negative emotionality is inaccurate. Assessing whether an individual sighs more (or less) than others cannot be used to infer that they experience more negative emotions.

Keywords: SighingDepressionElectronically Activated RecorderEmotionMobile Sensing