scholarly journals The ecological roots of human susceptibility to social influence: a pre-registered study investigating the impact of early-life adversity

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 180454 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pierre O. Jacquet ◽  
Lou Safra ◽  
Valentin Wyart ◽  
Nicolas Baumard ◽  
Coralie Chevallier
Keyword(s):  
Social Influence ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Empirical Support ◽  
Cost Benefit ◽  
Childhood Adversity ◽  
Theoretical Models ◽  
Initial Finding ◽  
Early Life Adversity ◽  
Evaluation Task ◽  
The Impact

There is considerable variability in the degree to which individuals rely on their peers to make decisions. Although theoretical models predict that environmental risks shift the cost–benefit trade-off associated with social information use, this idea has received little empirical support. Here we aim to test the effect of childhood environmental adversity on humans' susceptibility to follow others’ opinion in the context of a standard face evaluation task. Results collected in a pilot study involving 121 adult participants tested online showed that susceptibility to social influence and childhood environmental adversity are positively associated. Computational analyses further confirmed that this effect is not explained by the fact that participants exposed to early adversity produce noisier decisions overall but that they are indeed more likely to follow the group's opinion. To test the robustness of these findings, a pre-registered direct replication using an optimal sample size was run. The results obtained from 262 participants in the pre-registered study did not reveal a significant association between childhood adversity and task performance but the meta-analysis ran on both the pilot and the pre-registered study replicated the initial finding. This work provides experimental evidence for an association between individuals' past ecology and their susceptibility to social influence.

Research on capital structure determinants: a review and future directions

2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 106-132 ◽  
Author(s):  
Satish Kumar ◽  
Sisira Colombage ◽  
Purnima Rao
Keyword(s):  
Capital Structure ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Theoretical Models ◽  
Order Theory ◽  
Organizational Level ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to study the status of studies on capital structure determinants in the past 40 years. This paper highlights the major gaps in the literature on determinants of capital structure and also aims to raise specific questions for future research. Design/methodology/approach The prominence of research is assessed by studying the year of publication and region, level of economic development, firm size, data collection methods, data analysis techniques and theoretical models of capital structure from the selected papers. The review is based on 167 papers published from 1972 to 2013 in various peer-reviewed journals. The relationship of determinants of capital structure is analyzed with the help of meta-analysis. Findings Major findings show an increase of interest in research on determinants of capital structure of the firms located in emerging markets. However, it is observed that these regions are still under-examined which provides more scope for research both empirical and survey-based studies. Majority of research studies are conducted on large-sized firms by using secondary data and regression-based models for the analysis, whereas studies on small-sized firms are very meager. As majority of the research papers are written only at the organizational level, the impact of leverage on various industries is yet to be examined. The review highlights the major determinants of capital structure and their relationship with leverage. It also reveals the dominance of pecking order theory in explaining capital structure of firms theoretically as well as statistically. Originality/value The paper covers a considerable period of time (1972-2013). Among very few review papers on capital structure research, to the best of authors’ knowledge; this is the first review to identify what is missing in the literature on the determinants of capital structure while offering recommendations for future studies. It also synthesize the findings of empirical studies on determinants of capital structure statistically.

Do Genital Cosmetic Procedures Improve Women’s Self-Esteem? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol 40 (10) ◽  
pp. 1143-1151
Author(s):  
Gemma Sharp ◽  
Pascale Maynard ◽  
Abdul-Rahman Hudaib ◽  
Christine A Hamori ◽  
Jayson Oates ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Empirical Support ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Psychological Well Being ◽  
Cosmetic Procedure ◽  
Labia Minora ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Positive Effect

Abstract Background The popularity of genital cosmetic procedures in women is increasing. These procedures are often assumed and promoted as having a positive effect on women’s psychological well-being, particularly their self-esteem. Empirical support for these claims is lacking. Objectives The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of the impact of genital cosmetic procedures on self-esteem in women. Methods The authors performed a systematic literature review of MEDLINE, PreMEDLINE, Ebase, EMBASE, OVID, CINAHL, Cochrane, PsycINFO, and PubMed to identify articles that measured self-esteem in women after a genital cosmetic procedure. A meta-analysis was conducted to assess the pooled effect of these procedures on self-esteem. Results The authors identified 5 eligible studies for the meta-analysis, comprising 2 prospective and 3 retrospective studies. Labia minora reduction was the most commonly studied procedure. All 5 studies used different measures of self-esteem, with only 1 study employing a validated psychometric measure at both preoperative and postoperative time points. The meta-analysis results showed a pooled logit rate estimate of 1.230, indicating a positive effect of surgery on self-esteem. However, there was substantial heterogeneity across studies. Conclusions Female genital cosmetic procedures, particularly labiaplasty, appear to have a positive effect on women’s self-esteem. However, inconsistencies in study measures and methods limit our conclusions. Future research should involve the development of standardized outcome measures to more accurately assess the impact of these procedures on self-esteem, and on psychological well-being more generally. Level of Evidence: 3

Social Influence and Exercise: A Meta-Analysis

1996 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Albert V. Carron ◽  
Heather A. Hausenblas ◽  
Diane Mack
Keyword(s):  
Social Influence ◽  
Family Support ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Adherence Behavior ◽  
Exercise Behaviors ◽  
Compliance Behavior ◽  
Class Leaders ◽  
Important Others ◽  
Task Cohesion ◽  
The Impact

Using meta-analysis, the impact of a number of manifestations of social influence (important others, family, class leaders, coexercisers, social cohesion, and task cohesion) on exercise behaviors (adherence and compliance), cognitions (intentions and efficacy), and affect (satisfaction and attitude) was examined. The results showed that social influence generally has a small to moderate positive effect (i.e., effect size [ES] from .20 to .50). However, four moderate to large effect sizes (i.e., ES from .50 to .80) were found: family support and attitudes about exercise, task cohesion and adherence behavior, important others and attitudes about exercise, and family support and compliance behavior.

scholarly journals DO MATURE INNOVATION PLATFORMS MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH FOR DEVELOPMENT? A META-ANALYSIS OF CASE STUDIES

2016 ◽  
Vol 54 (1) ◽  
pp. 96-119 ◽  
Author(s):  
MARC SCHUT ◽  
JEAN-JOSEPH CADILHON ◽  
MICHAEL MISIKO ◽  
IDDO DROR
Keyword(s):  
Case Studies ◽  
Agricultural Development ◽  
Success Factors ◽  
Agricultural Research ◽  
Cost Benefit Analysis ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Cost Benefit ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Technology Dissemination ◽  
The Impact

SUMMARYInnovation Platforms (IPs) have become a popular vehicle in agricultural research for development (AR4D). The IP promise is that integrating scientific and local knowledge results in innovations that can have impact at scale. Many studies have uncovered how IPs work in various countries, value chains and themes. The conclusion is clear: IPs generate enthusiasm and can bring together stakeholders to effectively address specific problems and achieve ‘local’ impact. However, few studies focus on ‘mature’ IPs and whether or not these achieve impact at a ‘higher’ scale: address systems trade-offs to guide decision making, focus on integration of multiple commodities, reach a large number of beneficiaries and learn from their failures. This study evaluates the impact of mature IPs in AR4D by analysing the success factors of eight case studies across three continents. Although we found pockets of IP success and impact, these were rarely achieved at scale. We therefore critically question the use of IPs as a technology dissemination and scaling mechanism in AR4D programs that aim to benefit the livelihoods of many farmers in developing countries. Nevertheless, we do find that IPs can fulfil an important role in AR4D. If the IP processes are truly demand-driven, participatory and based on collective investment and action, they have the ability to bring together committed stakeholders, and result in innovations that are technically sound, locally adapted, economically feasible for farmers, and socially, culturally and politically acceptable. Several of our cases show that if these IPs are firmly embedded in other public and private extension mechanisms and networks, they can allow the technologies or other types of innovations to scale out beyond the original IP scope, geographical focus or target audience. We see a need for more rigorous, accurate and continuous measurement of IP performance which can contribute to adaptive management of IPs, better understanding of ‘what works’ in terms of process design and facilitation, as well as to cost-benefit analysis of IPs as compared to other approaches that aim to contribute to agricultural development.

The impact of childhood adversity on the persistence of psychotic symptoms: a systematic review and meta-analysis

2015 ◽  
Vol 45 (12) ◽  
pp. 2481-2498 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Trotta ◽  
R. M. Murray ◽  
H. L. Fisher
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
General Population ◽  
Psychotic Disorders ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Childhood Adversity ◽  
Psychotic Symptoms ◽  
Early Adversity ◽  
Ultra High Risk ◽  
The Impact

BackgroundEvidence suggests that childhood adversity is associated with the development of psychotic experiences (PE), psychotic symptoms and disorders. However, less is known regarding the impact of early adversity on the persistence of PE and clinically relevant psychosis. Thus we conducted a systematic review of the association between childhood adversity and the course of PE and symptoms over time.MethodA systematic search of Medline, EMBASE and PsychINFO databases was undertaken to identify articles published between January 1956 and November 2014. We included studies conducted on general population samples, individuals at ultra-high risk (UHR) of psychosis, and patients with full-blown psychotic disorders. A meta-analysis was performed on a subgroup.ResultsA total of 20 studies were included. Of these, 17 reported positive associations between exposure to overall or specific subtypes of childhood adversity and persistence of PE or clinically relevant psychotic symptoms. A meta-analysis of nine studies yielded a weighted odds ratio of 1.76 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.19–2.32,p< 0.001] for general population studies and 1.55 (95% CI 0.32–2.77,p= 0.007) for studies conducted using clinical populations.ConclusionsThe available evidence is limited but tentatively suggests that reported exposure to adverse events in childhood is associated with persistence of PE and clinically relevant psychotic symptoms. This partially strengthens the case for addressing the consequences of early adversity in individuals presenting with psychotic phenomena to improve long-term outcomes. However, the heterogeneity of studies was high which urges caution in interpreting the results and highlights the need for more methodologically robust studies.

Writing to Read: A Meta-Analysis of the Impact of Writing and Writing Instruction on Reading

2011 ◽  
Vol 81 (4) ◽  
pp. 710-744 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steve Graham ◽  
Michael Hebert
Keyword(s):  
Reading Comprehension ◽  
Writing Instruction ◽  
Reading Fluency ◽  
Word Reading ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Empirical Support ◽  
Present Evidence ◽  
Writing To Read ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Students Success

Reading is critical to students' success in and out of school. One potential means for improving students' reading is writing. In this meta-analysis of true and quasi-experiments,Graham and Herbert present evidence that writing about material read improves students' comprehension of it; that teaching students how to write improves their reading comprehension, reading fluency, and word reading; and that increasing how much students write enhances their reading comprehension. These findings provide empirical support for long-standing beliefs about the power of writing to facilitate reading.

The impact of weight loss on depression: A preliminary meta-analysis

2004 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruce Blaine ◽  
Jennifer McElroy ◽  
Hilary Vidair
Keyword(s):  
Weight Loss ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
The Impact

The Effects of Employment Protection legislationon Personnel Policies: A Review of Theoretical Modelsand Empirical results

2014 ◽  
pp. 126-140
Author(s):  
O. Mironenko
Keyword(s):  
Personnel Selection ◽  
Selection Criteria ◽  
Theoretical Models ◽  
Employment Protection ◽  
Empirical Results ◽  
Protection Legislation ◽  
Labour Contracts ◽  
Hiring And Firing ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Personnel Policies

Employers incur costs while fulfilling the requirements of employment protection legislation. The article contains a review of the core theoretical models and empirical results concerning the impact of these costs on firms’ practices in hiring, firing, training and remuneration. Overall, if wages are flexible or enforcement is weak, employment protection does not significantly influence employers’ behavior. Otherwise, stringent employment protection results in the reduction of hiring and firing rates, changes in personnel selection criteria, types of labour contracts and dismissal procedures, and, in some cases, it may lead to the growth of wages and firms’ investments to human capital.

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