The Effect of Alcohol and Arousal on Criminal Decision Making

Author(s):  
M. Lyn Exum ◽  
Lauren A. Austin ◽  
Justin D. Franklin

Consequentialist theories of criminal decision making assume crime is a choice that one undertakes if the perceived benefits of the act outweigh its costs. This a priori assessment of costs and benefits involves the use of several neurological components, including the amygdala–striatal system and the prefrontal cortex. Crime is commonly committed by individuals under the influence of alcohol and/or experiencing heightened states of emotional arousal. Both alcohol and arousal impact neurological functioning, including that of the amygdala–striatal system and prefrontal cortex. This chapter examines the influence of alcohol and arousal on criminal decision making from a neuroeconomic perspective. It discusses the neurological effects that alcohol and arousal may have on the identification and evaluation of criminal consequences. These effects bound one’s rationality and increase the likelihood of criminal/aggressive behavior. Empirical research on alcohol, arousal, and criminal decision making is summarized, and suggestions for future research are presented.

2015 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 93
Author(s):  
Nik Maheran Nik Muhammad

This article advocates that research is lacking on the connection between leadership theory and social network theory. To date, little empirical research has been conducted on leadership and social networks. Thus, the proposition of this article goes beyond traditional leadership models to advocate for a fuller and more integrative focus that is multilevel, multi-component and interdisciplinary, while recognizing that leadership is a complex function of both the organisational leaders and the followers who perform tasks, all of which subsequently leads to decision making qualities. Indeed, the current leadership model focuses on leadership behaviour and the ability to gain followers mutuality, to achieve decision making quality involving the integration of leadership and social network theories. Given the apparent mutable palette of contemporary leadership theory, this emergent construct of the leadership paradigm can expand the poles of the leadership continuum and contribute to a richer and deeper understanding of the relationships and responsibilities of leaders and followers as they relate to decision making qualities. This new construct, which is termed prophetic leadership, explores the literature of the life experiences of the prophet in the ‘Abrahamic Faith’ religion. Drawing on a priori links between the personality trait and spiritual leadership that has recently garnered the interest of scholars, the present study asserts a normative leadership theory that links the personal quality of a leader, posture and principal (based on the Prophet’s leadership behaviour) to synergy and decision making quality. Altruism is proposed to enhance relationships between leadership behaviour and decision making quality. For future research, much work needs to be done specifically aiming to (a) achieve greater clarity of construct definitions, (b) address measurement issues, and (c) avoid construct redundancy.


2015 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 93
Author(s):  
Nik Maheran Nik Muhammad

This article advocates that research is lacking on the connection between leadership theory and social network theory. To date, little empirical research has been conducted on leadership and social networks. Thus, the proposition of this article goes beyond traditional leadership models to advocate for a fuller and more integrative focus that is multilevel, multi-component and interdisciplinary, while recognizing that leadership is a complex function of both the organisational leaders and the followers who perform tasks, all of which subsequently leads to decision making qualities. Indeed, the current leadership model focuses on leadership behaviour and the ability to gain followers mutuality, to achieve decision making quality involving the integration of leadership and social network theories. Given the apparent mutable palette of contemporary leadership theory, this emergent construct of the leadership paradigm can expand the poles of the leadership continuum and contribute to a richer and deeper understanding of the relationships and responsibilities of leaders and followers as they relate to decision making qualities. This new construct, which is termed prophetic leadership, explores the literature of the life experiences of the prophet in the ‘Abrahamic Faith’ religion. Drawing on a priori links between the personality trait and spiritual leadership that has recently garnered the interest of scholars, the present study asserts a normative leadership theory that links the personal quality of a leader, posture and principal (based on the Prophet’s leadership behaviour) to synergy and decision making quality. Altruism is proposed to enhance relationships between leadership behaviour and decision making quality. For future research, much work needs to be done specifically aiming to (a) achieve greater clarity of construct definitions, (b) address measurement issues, and (c) avoid construct redundancy.


2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. S146-S146
Author(s):  
H. Almeida ◽  
A.M. Pisco Almeida ◽  
M. Figueiredo-Braga

IntroductionShared decision-making (SDM) has shown to improve adherence, decrease hospitalization, and enhance knowledge of the illness and satisfaction with mental health services. Eliciting each patient's preferences for information allows tailoring the physician behavior according perspectives and expectations. Patients with depression (PWD) have frequently limited information regarding the availability and efficacy of psychiatric treatments.Aims/objectivesUnveil information seeking attitudes of patients with depression and their a priori use of digital sources of information.MethodsA convenience sample of PWD was submitted to a battery of self-report questionnaires. Standardized instruments were used to measure information seeking attitudes and the accessibility and usage of digital information resources.ResultsThirty-six patients were inquired, with a mean age of 39.8 (13.4) years. Information-seeking preferences were high, with an API-I score of 90.1 (13.8). Preferences for information-seeking behaviors were higher in severely depressed (P = 0.010) and less educated (P = 0.026) patients. Preferences were negatively correlated with length of psychiatric treatment (r = −0.514; P = 0.002). Sixty-one percent had a priori information regarding their psychiatric problem, and 68.8% considered it was influential in the decision-making behavior. Access and use of digital resources were correlated with education level (0.644; P = 0.000 and 0.554; P = 0.003), age (−0.357; P = 0.001 and −0.559; P = 0.007) and illness severity (−0.431; P = 0.04).ConclusionPatients with depression want to be informed about their mental condition and treatment options. Few resources are used and decision mostly relies on health professional's opinion and guidance. Accessible resources seem scarce and future research shall address the acceptance and impact of decisional-aid instruments on this population.


2018 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 374-397 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sumeet Om Sharma ◽  
Angela Martin

Purpose This paper aims to enhance the understanding of the essence of product innovation capability (PIC) as a dynamic capability by systematically assessing its conceptualization and construct validity. The paper answers the call by numerous researchers to undertake research efforts to better understand and operationalize dynamic capability constructs. Design/methodology/approach A priori and scholarly contentions based on complementarities between the tenets of three prominent frameworks (Dynamic Capability View, Process Management and Organizational Ambidexterity) were utilized for conducting a theoretical triangulation, as presented in the paper. Established approaches to explication and measurement of multi-dimensional latent constructs were used for guiding this paper. Findings This paper enhances the conceptualization of dynamic capabilities and identifies a lacuna in frequently adopted PIC operationalization approaches that is pertinent to other dynamic capabilities. It presents substantive and specific prescriptions for enabling the development of superior capability (both dynamic and operational) measurement models in empirical research. Research limitations/implications The diverse implications for research and practice are discussed in the paper alongside suggestions for future research. Originality/value This paper guides future theoretical and empirical research by reviewing the conception and validity of PIC. It presents a comprehensive conception of dynamic capabilities by extending the dynamic capability definition to address the identified problems. The arguments presented have wide-ranging applications and broad generalizability across multiple research fields.


Author(s):  
Kate Kenski

This chapter focuses on two biases that lead people away from evaluating evidence and scientific studies impartially—confirmation bias and bias blind spot. The chapter first discusses different ways in which people process information and reviews the costs and benefits of utilizing cognitive shortcuts in decision making. Next, two common cognitive biases, confirmation bias and bias blind spot, are explained. Then the literature on “debiasing” is explored. Finally, the implications of confirmation bias and bias blind spot in the context of communicating about science are examined, and an agenda for future research on understanding and mitigating these biases is offered.


2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 213-224
Author(s):  
Becky Grace ◽  
Tony Wainwright ◽  
Wendy Solomons ◽  
Jenna Camden ◽  
Helen Ellis-Caird

Given the nature of the discipline, it might be assumed that clinical psychology is an ethical profession, within which effective ethical decision-making is integral. How then, does this ethical decision-making occur? This paper describes a systematic review of empirical research addressing this question. The paucity of evidence related to this question meant that the scope was broadened to include other professions who deliver talking therapies. This review could support reflective practice about what may be taken into account when making ethical decisions and highlight areas for future research. Using academic search databases, original research articles were identified from peer-reviewed journals. Articles using qualitative ( n = 3), quantitative ( n = 8) and mixed methods ( n = 2) were included. Two theoretical models of aspects of ethical decision-making were identified. Areas of agreement and debate are described in relation to factors linked to the professional, which impacted ethical decision-making. Factors relating to ethical dilemmas, which impacted ethical decision-making, are discussed. Articles were appraised by two independent raters, using quality assessment criteria, which suggested areas of methodological strengths and weaknesses. Comparison and synthesis of results revealed that the research did not generally pertain to current clinical practice of talking therapies or the particular socio-political context of the UK healthcare system. There was limited research into ethical decision-making amongst specific professions, including clinical psychology. Generalisability was limited due to methodological issues, indicating avenues for future research.


2015 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 88-108 ◽  
Author(s):  
Satish Kumar ◽  
Nisha Goyal

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to systematically review the literature published in past 33 years on behavioural biases in investment decision-making. The paper highlights the major gaps in the existing studies on behavioural biases. It also aims to raise specific questions for future research. Design/methodology/approach – We employ systematic literature review (SLR) method in the present study. The prominence of research is assessed by studying the year of publication, journal of publication, country of study, types of statistical method, citation analysis and content analysis on the literature on behavioural biases. The present study is based on 117 selected articles published in peer- review journals between 1980 and 2013. Findings – Much of the existing literature on behavioural biases indicates the limited research in emerging economies in this area, the dominance of secondary data-based empirical research, the lack of empirical research on individuals who exhibit herd behaviour, the focus on equity in home bias, and indecisive empirical findings on herding bias. Research limitations/implications – This study focuses on individuals’ behavioural biases in investment decision-making. Our aim is to analyse the impact of cognitive biases on trading behaviour, volatility, market returns and portfolio selection. Originality/value – The paper covers a considerable period of time (1980-2013). To the best of authors’ knowledge, this study is the first using systematic literature review method in the area of behavioural finance and also the first to examine a combination of four different biases involved in investment decision-making. This paper will be useful to researchers, academicians and those working in the area of behavioural finance in understanding the impact of behavioural biases on investment decision-making.


Author(s):  
Danielle Paige Smith

This paper describes an exploratory study that examined the perceived costs and benefits and general attitudes toward dietary supplements and seeking a doctor's dietary advice. Thirty-five undergraduates completed a survey packet that used various methods to assessed attitudes toward dieting and obesity (i.e. Likert scales, cost-benefit generation, scenario-based decision tasks). Results generally replicate past work, in that participants were unsure about the safety and regulation of dietary supplements, and although physician's advice is important, they were unlikely to seek their doctor's advice prior to beginning to try and lose weight. Further, responses indicated a perception of few risks associated with seeking physician's advice; however, these appear to be weighted heavily when deciding on a dietary method based on the scenario decision-making task. The implications of these results on planned future research are discussed.


Author(s):  
Hugo Priemus ◽  
Bert van Wee

This chapter focuses on ethical and political aspects of megaproject decision making and management. More specifically, it focuses on ethical aspects of the impacts of megaprojects on society, the ethics of doing research into the pros and cons of megaprojects, the quality of estimates of the costs and benefits of megaprojects, and the democratic quality of the decision-making process. Avenues for future research are then suggested. An overall conclusion is that ethical aspects of megaprojects are very important for society, but the topic has not received a great deal of attention from researchers yet.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Min Su Kang ◽  
Daniel H. Wolf ◽  
Rebecca Kazinka ◽  
Sangil Lee ◽  
Kosha Ruparel ◽  
...  

AbstractBackgroundAnhedonia, or diminished pleasure, is a prominent symptom in mood and psychotic disorders. Anticipatory pleasure is particularly impaired in these conditions, which may be reflected in blunted activity in the fronto-striatal circuitry during evaluation of future rewards. This study examined the neural correlates of anhedonia during decision-making across mood and psychotic disorders.MethodsAnalyses included 81 adults with major depression (N=17), bipolar disorder (in depressed state, N=21), schizophrenia (N=23), or no history of psychopathology (N=20). Participants performed a delay discounting paradigm while functional imaging data were acquired at 3T. We examined the relationship between anhedonia and activity in two a priori regions of interest critical for valuation, the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) and ventral striatum. Anhedonia was measured using a semi-structured clinical interview; cognition, depression, and symptoms of psychosis were also evaluated.ResultsDiscounting behavior did not differ as function of primary diagnosis or level of anhedonia (F(3,77) = 0.28, p = 0.84; r = 0.03, p = 0.78). Value-related activity in the vmPFC was blunted in association with anhedonia (β = −0.27; 95% CI, −0.48 to −0.06; p = 0.01). This relationship remained significant while controlling for primary diagnosis, behavioral performance, cognitive functioning, smoking, depression severity, and both positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia.ConclusionsHypofunction in the vmPFC during decision-making about future rewards is specifically linked to anhedonia, rather than a general feature of psychopathology. These findings help elucidate the pathophysiological underpinnings of anhedonia across mood and psychotic disorders and inform the development of novel treatment approaches.


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