scholarly journals Asymmetric effects of acute stress on cost and benefit learning

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stella Voulgaropoulou ◽  
Fasya Fauzani ◽  
Janine Pfirrmann ◽  
Claudia Vingerhoets ◽  
Thérèse van Amelsvoort ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Learning Strategies ◽  
Acute Stress ◽  
Computational Modelling ◽  
Cost Benefit ◽  
Stressful Events ◽  
Prediction Errors ◽  
Costs And Benefits ◽  
Asymmetric Effects ◽  
Stress Changes ◽  
Fight Or Flight

AbstractStressful events trigger a complex physiological reaction – the fight-or-flight response – that can hamper flexible decision-making. Inspired by key neural and peripheral characteristics of the fight-or-flight response, here we ask whether acute stress changes how humans learn about costs and benefits. Participants were randomly exposed to an acute stress or no-stress control condition after which they completed a cost-benefit reinforcement learning task. Acute stress improved learning to maximize benefits (monetary rewards) relative to minimising energy expenditure (grip force). Using computational modelling, we demonstrate that costs and benefits can exert asymmetric effects on decisions when prediction errors that convey information about the reward value and cost of actions receive inappropriate importance; a process associated with distinct alterations in pupil size fluctuations. These results provide new insights into learning strategies under acute stress – which, depending on the context, may be maladaptive or beneficial - and candidate neuromodulatory mechanisms that could underlie such behaviour.

scholarly journals Forced Choices Reveal a Trade-Off between Cognitive Effort and Physical Pain

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Todd A Vogel ◽  
Zachary M. Savelson ◽  
A Ross Otto ◽  
Mathieu Roy
Keyword(s):  
Cost Benefit Analysis ◽  
Computational Modelling ◽  
Cost Benefit ◽  
Cognitive Effort ◽  
Benefit Analysis ◽  
Physical Pain ◽  
Asymmetric Effects ◽  
Thermal Pain ◽  
Subjective Value ◽  
Decision Times

Cognitive effort is described as aversive, and people will generally avoid it when possible. This aversion to effort is believed to arise from a cost–benefit analysis of the actions available (e.g., study hard for an upcoming test or socialize with friends). The comparison of cognitive effort against other primary aversive experiences, however, remains relatively unexplored. Here, we offered participants choices between performing a cognitively demanding task or experiencing thermal pain. We found that cognitive effort can be traded off for physical pain and that people generally avoid exerting high levels of cognitive effort. We also used computational modelling to examine the subjective value of effort and its effects on response behaviours. Applying this model to decision times revealed asymmetric effects of effort and pain, suggesting that cognitive effort may not share the same basic influences on avoidance behaviour as more primary aversive stimuli such as physical pain.

scholarly journals Forced choices reveal a trade-off between cognitive effort and physical pain

eLife ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Todd A Vogel ◽  
Zachary M Savelson ◽  
A Ross Otto ◽  
Mathieu Roy
Keyword(s):  
Cost Benefit Analysis ◽  
Computational Modelling ◽  
Cost Benefit ◽  
Cognitive Effort ◽  
Benefit Analysis ◽  
Physical Pain ◽  
Asymmetric Effects ◽  
Thermal Pain ◽  
Subjective Value ◽  
Decision Times

Cognitive effort is described as aversive, and people will generally avoid it when possible. This aversion to effort is believed to arise from a cost–benefit analysis of the actions available. The comparison of cognitive effort against other primary aversive experiences, however, remains relatively unexplored. Here, we offered participants choices between performing a cognitively demanding task or experiencing thermal pain. We found that cognitive effort can be traded off for physical pain and that people generally avoid exerting high levels of cognitive effort. We also used computational modelling to examine the aversive subjective value of effort and its effects on response behaviours. Applying this model to decision times revealed asymmetric effects of effort and pain, suggesting that cognitive effort may not share the same basic influences on avoidance behaviour as more primary aversive stimuli such as physical pain.

Hostile Takeovers and Anti-takeover Defenses in the Russian Corporate Market

2007 ◽  
pp. 70-84 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Demidova
Keyword(s):  
Cost Benefit Analysis ◽  
Cost Benefit ◽  
Benefit Analysis ◽  
Costs And Benefits ◽  
Hostile Takeovers ◽  
Russian Market ◽  
Takeover Defenses ◽  
The Cost ◽  
European Markets

This article analyzes definitions and the role of hostile takeovers at the Russian and European markets for corporate control. It develops the methodology of assessing the efficiency of anti-takeover defenses adapted to the conditions of the Russian market. The paper uses the cost-benefit analysis, where the costs and benefits of the pre-bid and post-bid defenses are compared.

Structure and Dynamics of Escalation from the Batterer's Perspective

2002 ◽  
Vol 83 (2) ◽  
pp. 129-141 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zeev Winstok ◽  
Zvi Eisikovits ◽  
Richard Gelles
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Cost Benefit ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Intimate Violence ◽  
Costs And Benefits ◽  
Structure And Dynamics ◽  
Related Cost ◽  
Cohabiting Couples ◽  
Societal Reaction ◽  
Practical Implications

Most theories dealing with the escalation of intimate violence have examined the components of escalation, rather than the dynamic processes involved. This paper develops a theoretical model addressing the structure and dynamics of escalation. To develop the model, we studied the transition between nonviolent and violent realities of cohabitant couples from the male partner's perspective. A sample of 25 interviews was selected from a database consisting of 120 in-depth qualitative interviews that were collected for a larger study dealing with the experience of violence among cohabiting couples that remained together in spite of the violence. Sampling, data collection, and data analysis followed the principles of grounded theory (Glaser & Strauss, 1967). Findings indicate that the men interviewed perceive themselves as entitled and obligated to defend their dyadic existential frameworks, while recognizing the costs and benefits involved in the use of violence to achieve this end. These men tend to create the rules, judge when the rules are being infringed upon, and take steps to enforce the rules. Their evaluation of the extent of their control over their own actions and the related cost–benefit considerations are highly influential in their attempts to reestablish the lost balance in their dyadic life. The process of constructing a reaction to their partner's behavior consists of two distinctive but interrelated phases: (a) identifying an action by the partner and constructing it into being worthy of reaction; (b) constructing an appropriate reaction. Men's construction of the escalation process is not random or situational, but rather constructed within a set of personal, interpersonal, and socially recognized scripts that delineate the boundaries of the entire process. Theoretical and practical implications for assessing the risk of violence and subsequent societal reaction are suggested, as well as directions for future research.

scholarly journals Costs and Benefits of Improving Farm Animal Welfare

Agriculture ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 104
Author(s):  
Jill N. Fernandes ◽  
Paul H. Hemsworth ◽  
Grahame J. Coleman ◽  
Alan J. Tilbrook
Keyword(s):  
Animal Welfare ◽  
Cost Benefit ◽  
Economic Cost ◽  
Social Consequences ◽  
Farm Animal ◽  
Farm Animals ◽  
Costs And Benefits ◽  
Farm Animal Welfare ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Course Of Action

It costs money to improve the welfare of farm animals. For people with animals under their care, there are many factors to consider regarding changes in practice to improve welfare, and the optimal course of action is not always obvious. Decision support systems for animal welfare, such as economic cost–benefit analyses, are lacking. This review attempts to provide clarity around the costs and benefits of improving farm animal welfare, thereby enabling the people with animals under their care to make informed decisions. Many of the costs are obvious. For example, training of stockpeople, reconfiguration of pens, and administration of pain relief can improve welfare, and all incur costs. Other costs are less obvious. For instance, there may be substantial risks to market protection, consumer acceptance, and social licence to farm associated with not ensuring good animal welfare. The benefits of improving farm animal welfare are also difficult to evaluate from a purely economic perspective. Although it is widely recognised that animals with poor welfare are unlikely to produce at optimal levels, there may be benefits of improving animal welfare that extend beyond production gains. These include benefits to the animal, positive effects on the workforce, competitive advantage for businesses, mitigation of risk, and positive social consequences. We summarise these considerations into a decision tool that can assist people with farm animals under their care, and we highlight the need for further empirical evidence to improve decision-making in animal welfare.

Fight or Flight: The Effect of Heart Rate Reactivity on Acute Stress-Induced Food Intake

2022 ◽  
pp. 113704
Author(s):  
Benedict Herhaus ◽  
Christina Bastianon ◽  
Shiwa Ghassabei ◽  
Katja Petrowski
Keyword(s):  
Heart Rate ◽  
Food Intake ◽  
Acute Stress ◽  
Heart Rate Reactivity ◽  
Fight Or Flight

scholarly journals Intelligent transport systems deployment in Thessaloniki: Assessment of costs and benefits

Spatium ◽  
2015 ◽  
pp. 26-32
Author(s):  
Evangelos Mitsakis ◽  
Panagiotis Iordanopoulos ◽  
Evangelos Mintsis ◽  
Sokratis Mamarikas ◽  
Georgia Aifadopoulou
Keyword(s):  
Traffic Management ◽  
Travel Demand ◽  
Cost Benefit Analysis ◽  
Cost Benefit ◽  
Sustainable Urban Development ◽  
Transport Systems ◽  
Costs And Benefits ◽  
Intelligent Transport Systems ◽  
Intelligent Transport ◽  
Transportation Projects

Transportation projects often require large initial investments and are expected to generate benefits extending far into the future. Thus, there is a need to compare benefits and costs that occur at different periods over time. Since money has a time value, the same amount of money at different time periods does not have the same value. Therefore, it is important to convert costs and benefits into equivalent values when conducting a Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA). A special category of transportation projects is that of Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS). ITS comprise innovative solutions for travel demand and traffic management, and it is expected to play a key role in future sustainable urban development plans. Compared to other transportation projects, ITS have a lower initial investment. In this paper a framework based on a CBA is presented, assessing costs and benefits of three ITS projects implemented in Thessaloniki, Greece. The paper refers to future developments of ITS in the city of Thessaloniki. The examined systems have already been developed as demonstration systems in various regions throughout Europe. The benefits of the systems have been transferred and scaled up, so as to be in line with the specific characteristics of the Greek environment.

scholarly journals THE COST-BENEFIT ANALYSIS OF THE ROMANIAN NATIONAL GAMBLING OFFICE

2020 ◽  
Vol 13(62) (2) ◽  
pp. 157-166
Author(s):  
Ștefan Bulboacă ◽  
Ovidiu Mircea Țierean
Keyword(s):  
Cost Benefit Analysis ◽  
Cost Benefit ◽  
Economic Effects ◽  
Public Institution ◽  
Benefit Analysis ◽  
Costs And Benefits ◽  
Societal Costs ◽  
Gambling Industry ◽  
The Cost ◽  
The Way

"This paper aims to evaluate the economic effects that the Romanian National Gambling Office has over the gambling industry and to determine whether this public institution brings enough benefits to cover the costs. The aim of the research was to gather information about the Romanian gambling industry, the way that this industry is managed and to make a comparison between its societal costs and benefits. "

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document