Opposition to Novel Biotechnologies: Testing An Omission Bias Account

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Isaac Halstead ◽  
Gary Lewis ◽  
Ryan McKay
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Gene Editing ◽  
Cognitive Biases ◽  
Negative Outcomes ◽  
Vaccination Decision ◽  
Omission Bias ◽  
Global Population ◽  
Held Back

The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a significant toll on the global population, but biotechnology has a big role to play in arresting the spread of the virus. However, the adoption of biotechnologies may be held back by cognitive biases. In particular, omission bias – the observation that people are more sensitive to the negative outcomes of acting than to those of failing to act – has been suggested to influence vaccination decision making. Omission bias might also underpin attitudes towards newer biotechnologies. In this study, we explored the role of omission bias in vaccination, gene editing, and nanotechnology decision-making using a US sample (N = 613). We examined participant’s risk choices across these three biotechnologies, focussing on the point at which they would use the respective biotechnology to treat a fictional illness (COVID-23). Although our findings are nuanced, overall we observed evidence consistent with an omission bias across all three biotechnologies.

Cognitive Bias and its Relationship to Decision Making: the Case of Talented Secondary Students in Jeddah: الانحياز المعرفي وعلاقته باتخاذ القرار لدى عينة من طالبات المرحلة الثانوية الموهوبات بمدينة جدة

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (45) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dalal Hamid Al-Dhahri, Arwa Abdullah Al-Ghamdi, Mogeda El-Sa
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Secondary Students ◽  
Cognitive Bias ◽  
Random Sampling ◽  
Cognitive Biases ◽  
School Administration ◽  
High Level ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Descriptive Method

This study aims at investigating the relationship between cognitive biases and decision making from a sample of gifted secondary students. It also aims at identifying the level of students’ cognitive biases and decision making and the differences in these two areas based on different classrooms. Random sampling was used to collect data from 139 female secondary students from the gifted group. Their age ranged between (16-18) with an average of (16.6), A descriptive method was adopted in the study. The research tools used consisted of DACOBS David Assessment of Cognitive biases Scale (Vander Gaag. et al., 2000), translated and standardized by the present researchers, and Tuistra’s decision making scale for teenagers (Tuinstra, et al., 2000). The findings of the study show a negative correlation between cognitive biases and decision making. Also, there were no differences between cognitive biases and decision making scores based on different classrooms. The study also shows a low level of students’ cognitive biases and a high level of decision making. The study recommends activating the role of mentors and students' counseling, planning for the values and behaviors that need to be acquired by students by including them in the annual goals of the school administration and participating in societal awareness and education.

What Is It Like to Be a Citizen?

In Our Name ◽  
2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric Beerbohm
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Cognitive Biases ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Extensive Literature ◽  
Ethics Of Belief ◽  
Moral Obligations

This chapter defends a theory of citizenship that recognizes our need to make online decisions under electoral pressures, given our foibles as decision makers. Drawing upon the extensive literature on decision and judgment, it examines how fragile citizens are when it comes to decision making. The usual heuristics offered by political scientists suggest that citizens rely on informational shortcuts that are morally irresponsible. If we reconceive the role of the voter in explicitly moral terms, this approach is unsatisfactory in addressing the cognitive biases and defects of citizens. The chapter also considers the notion of cognitive partisanship and argues that it is unavoidable for decision makers to rely on heuristics when they reason about complex decisions. It concludes by emphasizing the task for a democratic ethics of belief: to provide citizens with heuristics that reduce the cognitive burden while respecting the moral obligations to attach to coercive, term-shaping decision making.

Are Cyber Attackers Thinking Fast and Slow? Exploratory Analysis Reveals Evidence of Decision-Making Biases in Red Teamers

2019 ◽  
Vol 63 (1) ◽  
pp. 427-431 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert S. Gutzwiller ◽  
Kimberly J. Ferguson-Walter ◽  
Sunny J. Fugate
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Cognitive Biases ◽  
Measurement Techniques ◽  
Observational Evidence ◽  
Experimental Conditions ◽  
Future Directions ◽  
Take The Best ◽  
Behavioral Measurement ◽  
Decision Making Biases

We report on whether cyber attacker behaviors contain decision making biases. Data from a prior experiment were analyzed in an exploratory fashion, making use of think-aloud responses from a small group of red teamers. The analysis provided new observational evidence of traditional decision-making biases in red team behaviors (confirmation bias, anchoring, and take-the-best heuristic use). These biases may disrupt red team decisions and goals, and simultaneously increase their risk of detection. Interestingly, at least part of the bias induction may be related to the use of cyber deception. Future directions include the development of behavioral measurement techniques for these and additional cognitive biases in cyber operators, examining the role of attacker traits, and identifying the conditions where biases can be induced successfully in experimental conditions.

scholarly journals Vaccine hesitancy: evidence from an adverse events following immunization database, and the role of cognitive biases

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hossein Azarpanah ◽  
Mohsen Farhadloo ◽  
Rustam Vahidov ◽  
Louise Pilote
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Adverse Events ◽  
Cognitive Biases ◽  
Vaccine Safety ◽  
Vaccine Hesitancy ◽  
Decision Making Process ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Vaccine Acceptance ◽  
Vaccination Decision ◽  
Vaccine Information

Abstract Background Vaccine hesitancy has been a growing challenge for public health in recent decades. Among factors contributing to vaccine hesitancy, concerns regarding vaccine safety and Adverse Events (AEs) play the leading role. Moreover, cognitive biases are critical in connecting such concerns to vaccine hesitancy behaviors, but their role has not been comprehensively studied. In this study, our first objective is to address concerns regarding vaccine AEs to increase vaccine acceptance. Our second objective is to identify the potential cognitive biases connecting vaccine hesitancy concerns to vaccine-hesitant behaviors and identify the mechanism they get triggered in the vaccine decision-making process. Methods First, to mitigate concerns regarding AEs, we quantitatively analyzed the U.S. Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) from 2011 to 2018 and provided evidence regarding the non-severity of the AEs that can be used as a communicable summary to increase vaccine acceptance. Second, we focused on the vaccination decision-making process. We reviewed cognitive biases and vaccine hesitancy literature to identify the most potential cognitive biases that affect vaccine hesitancy and categorized them adopting the Precaution Adoption Process Model (PAPM). Results Our results show that the top frequent AEs are expected mild reactions like injection site erythema (4.29%), pyrexia (3.66%), and injection site swelling (3.21%). 94.5% of the reports are not serious and the average population-based serious reporting rate over the 8 years was 25.3 reports per 1 million population. We also identified 15 potential cognitive biases that might affect people’s vaccination decision-making and nudge them toward vaccine hesitancy. We categorized these biases based on the factors that trigger them and discussed how they contribute to vaccine hesitancy. Conclusions This paper provided an evidence-based communicable summary of VAERS. As the most trusted sources of vaccine information, health practitioners can use this summary to provide evidence-based vaccine information to vaccine decision-makers (patients/parents) and mitigate concerns over vaccine safety and AEs. In addition, we identified 15 potential cognitive biases that might affect the vaccination decision-making process and nudge people toward vaccine hesitancy. Any plan, intervention, and message to increase vaccination uptake should be modified to decrease the effect of these potential cognitive biases.

scholarly journals Enhancing urban regeneration at the neighbourhood level: the role of sustainability assessment frameworks

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Ayomikun Solomon Adewumi
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Sustainability Assessment ◽  
Urban Regeneration ◽  
Local Context ◽  
Economic Recessions ◽  
Neighbourhood Level ◽  
Sustainability Challenges ◽  
Global Population ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose: Urban centres have been argued to be crucial in the battle for sustainability.  With more than half of the global population presently living in cities, the sustainability challenges of global warming, environmental degradation, social inequality, and economic recessions have continued to thrive. To this end, there have been efforts to revive and improve the existing physical and social structure of cities in a process known as urban regeneration. The aim of this paper is to explore the role of sustainability assessment frameworks in urban regeneration. Approach: Aligning with the positivism philosophical position, and using document analysis as a data collection method, the study discusses the state of the art of urban regeneration and its application in recent times. The study also reviewed selected neighbourhood sustainability assessment frameworks as a tool for decision-making towards sustainability to know the extent in which they capture the goals of urban regeneration. Findings: Findings showed that the uptake of the sustainability assessment frameworks could play a role in enhancing integration of local context, social wellbeing and economic prosperity, environmental quality, and stakeholder engagement at the neighbourhood level which are the main aspects of urban regeneration. Theoretical and practical implications: In theory, this paper establishes the assumption that with some revisions, sustainability assessment frameworks could serve as a tool for decision-making in urban regeneration process. Practise-wise, urban regeneration at the neighbourhood level can now be measured against sustainability benchmarks and indicators.

How Heuristics and Biases Impact Judgment and Decision Making in Well Integrity Operations

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catalin Teodoriu ◽  
Saeed Salehi
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Human Factor ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Cognitive Biases ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Organizational Factors ◽  
Judgment And Decision Making ◽  
Well Control ◽  
Well Integrity

Abstract The contribution of the human factor in major oil and gas accident events is fully-fledged and admitted. The root cause analysis and incident investigation of these accidents reveal that many of them could have been prevented, with the perception that there was a cascade of failures in human factor elements. This is easy to comprehend, as the human factor has not been accentuated thoroughly in this industry and traditionally the focus has been on personnel knowledge and competence. A previous paper presented at OMAE 2018 had a brief overview of well integrity, and the pivotal role of cementing operations in well control. The critical role of human and organizational factors in cementing operations and well control was addressed. Furthermore, an outline of the newly implemented SEMS II regulations was also offered, with insight into adjustments that could enhance this program’s modest requirements. In this paper, the goal is to examine the key heuristics that operational people employ in well integrity procedures. Some of these cognitive biases include status-quo and confirmation biases. Several examples will be discussed to show how underlying biases can lead to improper decisions. Unfortunately, some of these biases have been embedded in companies cultures for several decades now, and are hard to change overnight. Some of these can often lead to tremendous operational costs and not necessary solving the problem. It is highly recommended that training schools consider the problems of psychological biases and start implementing case studies for improvement in judgment and decision making.

scholarly journals Behavioral Cost of Managerial Decisions Under Risk Perception and Culture: A Comparative Study Between the United States and Pakistan

SAGE Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 215824402110278
Author(s):  
Nishwa Iqbal Dar ◽  
Syed Zulfiqar Ali Shah ◽  
Zeeshan Ahmed
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
New York ◽  
Risk Perception ◽  
Cognitive Biases ◽  
Stock Exchange ◽  
The United States ◽  
Managerial Decision ◽  
Managerial Decisions ◽  
Overconfidence Bias

The study is an attempt to find the reasons for biased behavior of overconfident managers while making financial decisions on behalf of shareholders. The study further seeks the ways to resolve the problems faced by firms due to such biased decision-making. For this purpose, quantitative research method is used to uncover the new information for better understanding of study. The comparative analysis has been done through survey-based data collected from executives/managers of firms listed on Pakistan Stock Exchange and New York Stock Exchange. The results indicate that overconfidence bias plays a significant role in managerial decisions for Pakistan compared with U.S. managers. This study applied mediation and moderation tests and found the significant mediating role of risk perception for overconfidence bias and manager decisions. The study further checked moderating role of cultural value, that is, the role of uncertainty avoidance between overconfidence bias of managers and risk perception. Hence, the role of cognitive biases and bounded rationality is undeniable for managerial decision-making and ultimate behavioral cost that firms have to pay due to undesired outcomes of situations. Consequently, this study has reached to extract the hidden facts and solutions to the observed issues for developed and emerging economy’s firms through cultural differences.

The role of cognitive biases in anticipating and responding to cyberattacks

2019 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 171-188
Author(s):  
Arnela Ceric ◽  
Peter Holland
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Cognitive Biases ◽  
Denial Of Service ◽  
Case Study Research ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Ddos Attacks ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Australian Bureau Of Statistics

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the role of four cognitive biases, namely, selective perception, exposure to limited alternatives, adjustment and anchoring, and illusion of control in anticipating and responding to Distributed-Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attacks. Design/methodology/approach The paper is based on exploratory case study research and secondary data on decision making in the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) in regards to planning and managing DDoS attacks on Census day in 2016. Findings Cognitive biases limited the ABS’s awareness of the eCensus system’s vulnerabilities, preparation for and management of DDoS attacks. Cyberattacks are on the increase, and managers should expect and be prepared to deal with them. Research limitations/implications Due to the sensitivity of the topic, it was not possible to interview relevant stakeholders. Analysis is based on high-quality secondary data that includes comprehensive government reports investigating the events on Census day. Practical implications Cyberattacks are inevitable and not an aberration. A checklist of actions is identified to help organisations avoid the failures revealed in the case study. Managers need to increase their awareness of cyberattacks, develop clear processes for dealing with them and increase the robustness of their decision-making processes relating to cybersecurity. Originality/value This the authors believe that it is the first major study of the DDoS attacks on the Australian census. DDoS is a security reality of the twenty-first century and this case study illustrates the significance of cognitive biases and their impact on developing effective decisions and conducting regular risk assessments in managing cyberattacks.

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