scholarly journals Apparent preferences for cognitive effort fade when multiple forms of effort and delay are interleaved in a foraging environment

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claudio Toro-Serey ◽  
Gary Kane ◽  
Joseph McGuire
Keyword(s):  
Prey Selection ◽  
Intrinsic Value ◽  
Acceptance Rate ◽  
Cognitive Effort ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Multiple Forms ◽  
Physical Effort ◽  
Delay Duration ◽  
Cost Of Time ◽  
Acceptance Rates

Cognitive and physical effort are typically regarded as costly, but demands for effort also seemingly boost the value of prospects under certain conditions. One contextual factor that might influence the perceived value of effort is the mix of different demand types a decision maker encounters in a given environment. Here, we embedded both cognitive and physical effort in a "prey selection" foraging task, which required decision makers not only to evaluate the magnitude and delay of a focal prospective reward but also to estimate the general opportunity cost of time. In two experiments, participants encountered prospective rewards that required equivalent intervals of cognitive effort, physical effort, or unfilled delay. Monetary offers varied per trial, and the two experiments differed in whether the type of effort or delay cost was the same on every trial (between-participant manipulation, n=21 per condition), or varied across trials (within-participant manipulation, n=48). When each participant faced only one type of cost, cognitive effort persistently produced the highest acceptance rate compared to trials with an equivalent period of either physical effort or unfilled delay. We theorized that if cognitive effort were intrinsically rewarding, we would observe the same pattern of preferences when participants foraged for varying cost types in addition to rewards. Contrary to this prediction, in the within-participant experiment, an initially higher acceptance rate for cognitive effort trials disappeared over time amid an overall decline in acceptance rates as participants gained experience with all three conditions. Our results indicate that cognitive demands may reduce the discounting effect of delays, but not because decision makers assign intrinsic value to cognitive effort. Rather, the results suggest that a cognitive effort requirement might influence contextual factors such as subjective delay duration estimates, which can be recalibrated if multiple forms of demand are interleaved.

Family experiences with non-therapeutic research on dying patients in the intensive care unit

2021 ◽  
pp. medethics-2021-107311
Author(s):  
Amanda van Beinum ◽  
Nick Murphy ◽  
Charles Weijer ◽  
Vanessa Gruben ◽  
Aimee Sarti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Intensive Care ◽  
Intrinsic Value ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Research Participation ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Minimal Risk ◽  
Dying Patients ◽  
Therapeutic Study ◽  
Therapeutic Research ◽  
Work Supports

Experiences of substitute decision-makers with requests for consent to non-therapeutic research participation during the dying process, including to what degree such requests are perceived as burdensome, have not been well described. In this study, we explored the lived experiences of family members who consented to non-therapeutic research participation on behalf of an imminently dying patient.We interviewed 33 family members involved in surrogate research consent decisions for dying patients in intensive care. Non-therapeutic research involved continuous physiological monitoring of dying patients prior to and for 30 min following cessation of circulation. At some study centres participation involved installation of bedside computers. At one centre electroencephalogram monitoring was used with a subset of participants. Aside from additional monitoring, the research protocol did not involve deviations from usual end-of-life care.Thematic analysis of interviews suggests most family members did not perceive this minimal-risk, non-therapeutic study to affect their time with patients during the dying process, nor did they perceive research consent as an additional burden. In our analysis, consenting for participation in perimortem research offered families of the dying an opportunity to affirm the intrinsic value of patients’ lives and contributions. This opportunity may be particularly important for families of patients who consented to organ donation but did not proceed to organ retrieval.Our work supports concerns that traditional models of informed consent fail to account for possible benefits and harms of perimortem research to surviving families. Further research into consent models which integrate patient and family perspectives is needed.

Provide Numbers but Reduce Cognitive Effort

2020 ◽  
pp. 196-214
Author(s):  
Ellen Peters
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Effort ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Plain Language ◽  
Visual Displays ◽  
Numeric Information ◽  
Numeric Data

This chapter, “Provide Numbers but Reduce Cognitive Effort,” challenges the notion that numbers mislead people and should be avoided. This chapter recommends instead that communicators provide numeric information but reduce how much effort is required from consumers and patients to use it. In particular, the chapter discusses five ways that providing numeric information is useful for decision makers. Then it summarizes evidence-based methods to present such numeric data to decrease effort and increase numeric comprehension and use. The methods include providing fewer options and less information, presenting absolute risks, keeping denominators constant, doing any needed math operations for them, and using appropriate visual displays. Concrete examples are explained in plain language.

Weight as an Embodiment of Importance

2009 ◽  
Vol 20 (9) ◽  
pp. 1169-1174 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nils B. Jostmann ◽  
Daniël Lakens ◽  
Thomas W. Schubert
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Cognitive Effort ◽  
Abstract Concept ◽  
Physical Effort ◽  
Monetary Value ◽  
Concrete Objects ◽  
Bodily Experiences ◽  
Important Study

Four studies show that the abstract concept of importance is grounded in bodily experiences of weight. Participants provided judgments of importance while they held either a heavy or a light clipboard. Holding a heavy clipboard increased judgments of monetary value (Study 1) and made participants consider fair decision-making procedures to be more important (Study 2). It also caused more elaborate thinking, as indicated by higher consistency between related judgments (Study 3) and by greater polarization of agreement ratings for strong versus weak arguments (Study 4). In line with an embodied perspective on cognition, these findings suggest that, much as weight makes people invest more physical effort in dealing with concrete objects, it also makes people invest more cognitive effort in dealing with abstract issues.

scholarly journals Selecting Applicants

Econometrica ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 89 (2) ◽  
pp. 615-645
Author(s):  
Alex Frankel
Keyword(s):  
Test Score ◽  
Acceptance Rate ◽  
Soft Information ◽  
Test Results ◽  
Hard Information ◽  
Rate Functions ◽  
Simple Implementation ◽  
Acceptance Rates ◽  
Test Result

A firm selects applicants to hire based on hard information, such as a test result, and soft information, such as a manager's evaluation of an interview. The contract that the firm offers to the manager can be thought of as a restriction on acceptance rates as a function of test results. I characterize optimal acceptance rate functions both when the firm knows the manager's mix of information and biases and when the firm is uncertain. These contracts may admit a simple implementation in which the manager can accept any set of applicants with a sufficiently high average test score.

scholarly journals Gain-Loss Asymmetry in Delay and Effort Discounting of Different Amounts

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Szymon Bartłomiej Mizak ◽  
Paweł Ostaszewski ◽  
Przemysław Marcowski ◽  
Wojciech Białaszek
Keyword(s):  
Delay Discounting ◽  
Loss Aversion ◽  
Cognitive Effort ◽  
Physical Effort ◽  
P Loss ◽  
Effort Discounting ◽  
Gain Loss ◽  
Gains And Losses ◽  
Intertemporal Choices

Loss aversion entails the attribution of greater weight to losses than to equivalent gains. In terms of discounting, it is reflected in a higher rate for gains than for losses. Research on delay discounting indicates that such gain-loss asymmetry may depend on the amount of the outcome. In the current study, we address the question of how gains and losses are discounted in delay or effort conditions (physical or cognitive) across four outcome amounts. Our results replicate previous findings for intertemporal choices by showing that losses are discounted more slowly than gains, but only for smaller amounts, while there is no evidence of asymmetry in the evaluation for larger amounts. For physical effort discounting, we found an inverse asymmetry for the smallest amount tested (gains are discounted less steeply than losses), while such an effect is absent for larger amounts. Our results provide no support for the asymmetric evaluation of gains and losses for cognitive effort. Overall, our findings indicate that loss aversion may not be as pervasive as one might expect, at least when decisions are effort-based.

scholarly journals 4031 Heart Transplant Candidates Listed at Low First-Offer Organ Acceptance Rate Centers are More Likely to Die Waiting

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (s1) ◽  
pp. 133-134
Author(s):  
Ashley Y Choi ◽  
Michael S. Mulvihill ◽  
Hui-Jie Lee ◽  
Congwen Zhao ◽  
Maragatha Kuchibhatla ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Graft Failure ◽  
Isolated Heart ◽  
Acceptance Rate ◽  
Post Transplantation ◽  
Hazards Model ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Wide Variability ◽  
Acceptance Rates ◽  
Transplantation Outcomes ◽  
Waitlist Mortality

OBJECTIVES/GOALS: We sought to examine: 1) variability in center acceptance patterns for heart allografts offered to the highest-priority candidates, 2) impact of this acceptance behavior on candidate survival, and 3) post-transplantation outcomes in candidates who accepted first rank offer vs. previously declined offer. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: In this retrospective cohort study, the US national transplant registry was queried for all match runs of adult candidates listed for isolated heart transplantation between 2007-2017. We examined center acceptance rates for heart allografts offered to the highest-priority candidates and accounted for covariates in multivariable logistic regression. Competing risks analysis was performed to assess the relationship between center acceptance rate and waitlist mortality. Post-transplantation outcomes (patient survival and graft failure) between candidates who accepted their first-rank offers vs those who accepted previously declined offers were compared using Fine-Gray subdistribution hazards model. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: Among 19,703 unique organ offers, 6,302 (32%) were accepted for first-ranked candidates. After adjustment for donor, recipient, and geographic covariates, transplant centers varied markedly in acceptance rates (12%-62%) of offers made to first-ranked candidates. Lowest acceptance rate centers (<25%) associated with highest cumulative incidence of waitlist mortality. For every 10% increase in adjusted center acceptance rate, waitlist mortality risk decreased by 27% (SHR 0.73, 95% CI 0.67-0.80). No significant difference was observed in 5-year adjusted post-Tx survival and graft failure between hearts accepted at the first-rank vs lower-rank positions. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE OF IMPACT: Wide variability in heart acceptance rates exists among centers, with candidates listed at low acceptance rate centers more likely to die waiting. Similar post-Tx survival suggests previously declined allografts function as well as those accepted at first offer. Center-level decision is a modifiable behavior associated with waitlist mortality.

scholarly journals Provider Use of and Attitudes Towards an Active Clinical Alert

2013 ◽  
Vol 04 (01) ◽  
pp. 144-152 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Feblowitz ◽  
S. Henkin ◽  
J. Pang ◽  
H. Ramelson ◽  
L. Schneider ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Decision Support ◽  
Clinical Decision ◽  
Acceptance Rate ◽  
Problem List ◽  
Alert System ◽  
Provider Attitudes ◽  
Alerting System ◽  
Acceptance Rates ◽  
Clinic Medical

Summary Background: In a previous study, we reported on a successful clinical decision support (CDS) intervention designed to improve electronic problem list accuracy, but did not study variability of provider response to the intervention or provider attitudes towards it. The alert system accurately predicted missing problem list items based on health data captured in a patient’s electronic medical record. Objective: To assess provider attitudes towards a rule-based CDS alert system as well as heterogeneity of acceptance rates across providers. Methods: We conducted a by-provider analysis of alert logs from the previous study. In addition, we assessed provider opinions of the intervention via an email survey of providers who received the alerts (n = 140). Results: Although the alert acceptance rate was 38.1%, individual provider acceptance rates varied widely, with an interquartile range (IQR) of 14.8%-54.4%, and many outliers accepting none or nearly all of the alerts they received. No demographic variables, including degree, gender, age, assigned clinic, medical school or graduation year predicted acceptance rates. Providers’ self-reported acceptance rate and perceived alert frequency were only moderately correlated with actual acceptance rates and alert frequency. Conclusions: Acceptance of this CDS intervention among providers was highly variable but this heterogeneity is not explained by measured demographic factors, suggesting that alert acceptance is a complex and individual phenomenon. Furthermore, providers’ self-reports of their use of the CDS alerting system correlated only modestly with logged usage. Citation: Feblowitz J, Henkin S, Pang J, Ramelson H, Schneider L, Maloney FL, Wilcox AR, Bates DW, Wright A. Provider use of and attitudes towards an active clinical alert. A case study in decision support. Appl Clin Inf 2013; 4: 144–152http://dx.doi.org/10.4338/ACI-2012-12-RA-0055

scholarly journals Will the high acceptance rate of coronavirus disease 2019 vaccine in Morocco accelerate the recovery of neurosurgical practice?

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
pp. 486
Author(s):  
Farid Zahrou ◽  
Yassine Ait M’barek ◽  
Tarik Belokda ◽  
Badr Drai ◽  
Hasna Abdourafiq ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Vaccination Campaign ◽  
Compliance Rate ◽  
Herd Immunity ◽  
Tertiary Hospital ◽  
Acceptance Rate ◽  
Mass Vaccination ◽  
Delivery Of Care ◽  
Acceptance Rates ◽  
High Acceptance Rate

Background: In developing countries, where there is a chronic shortage of neurosurgeons and medical infrastructures, the pandemic has taken a heavy toll on neurosurgical activities. In the absence of a curative treatment, reaching herd immunity through mass vaccination campaigns is the best hope we have of ending this pandemic. Therefore, the purpose of our study was first to assess the effect of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak on neurosurgical services of a Moroccan tertiary hospital. Secondarily, we aimed to describe current vaccination compliance rate in our country, and its impact on the recovery of neurosurgical practice. Methods: To examine how COVID-19 challenged the neurosurgical delivery of care in our unit, we compared emergency and elective admissions during COVID-19 and pre-COVID-19 period using the registry of neurosurgery department. Second, after evaluating vaccine acceptance rates among 1463 healthcare workers and patients admitted to our hospital, we compared the number of surgeries performed in our department after implementation of a mass vaccination campaign. Results: The overall number of procedures dropped from n = 197 (pre-COVID-19) to n = 150 during COVID-19. The number of elective surgeries declined from an average of 10.5 operations per week before COVID-19 to four surgeries per week during the COVID-19 pandemic. Conversely, an average of 3.5 emergency operations was performed each week before COVID-19 compared to 5.6 per week during the pandemic. On the other hand, our results showed that willingness to get the COVID-19 vaccine among the participants was high (81.7%) with significantly less hesitant individuals among healthcare workers (P = 0.001). This successful vaccine rollout helped resuming gradually elective surgeries in our department. Conclusion: Our study found a high acceptance rate of COVID-19 vaccines among Moroccans, which gives a glimmer of hope of restoring all our neurosurgical services. However, despite the high acceptance rate, the authorities must address concerns among hesitant individuals and raise awareness on the importance of COVID-19 immunization.

scholarly journals Evaluating parental acceptance for silver diamine fluoride therapy – a pilot study

RSBO ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 226-229
Author(s):  
Amina Sultan ◽  
Abhishek Mehta ◽  
Akanksha Juneja ◽  
Maryam Siddiqui
Keyword(s):  
Socioeconomic Status ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Parental Acceptance ◽  
Postoperative Evaluation ◽  
Aesthetic Evaluation ◽  
Silver Diamine Fluoride ◽  
Anterior Teeth ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
Pre Treatment ◽  
Acceptance Rates

To evaluate the association of parents ’acceptability for SDF therapy with the location of teeth, child’s behaviour, age, gender or socioeconomic status. Material and methods: As parents are the decision-makers for their child, we conducted a questionnaire-based survey on 35 parents intending to assess their acceptance for SDF therapy and factors influencing their decision. For pre-treatment aesthetic evaluation of SDF application, the parents were presented with a set of pre- and post-treatment photographs of clinical cases for their observation and comparison along with the printed structured proforma. Results: Mean parental acceptance for SDF therapy for front teeth was 2.2 (SD 1.1) and 3.1 (SD 1.2) for back teeth. Cases where the child was fully cooperative, mean ratings were slightly higher for front teeth (2.5 SD 1.6) but lesser for back teeth (2.8, SD 2.2).Results showed that parental acceptance was significantly less (p<0.05) for anterior teeth and in younger children (>< 3 years). Gender of the child and socioeconomic status of parents were not associated with their acceptance rates for SDF therapy. Conclusion: Longitudinal studies with a postoperative evaluation of SDF therapy acceptance should be conducted for a better understanding of this topic.

Seizing the Opportunity: Lifespan Differences in the Effects of the Opportunity Cost of Time on Cognitive Control

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sean Devine ◽  
Cassandra Neumann ◽  
A. Ross Otto ◽  
Florian Bolenz ◽  
Andrea M.F. Reiter ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Control ◽  
Opportunity Cost ◽  
Cognitive Effort ◽  
Developmental Model ◽  
Average Reward ◽  
Younger Adults ◽  
Reward Rate ◽  
Cost Of Time ◽  
Opportunity Cost Of Time

Previous work suggests that lifespan developmental differences in cognitive control reflect maturational and aging-related changes in prefrontal cortex functioning. However, complementary explanations exist: It could be that children and older adults differ from younger adults in how they balance the effort of engaging in control against its potential benefits. Here we test whether the degree of cognitive effort expenditure depends on the opportunity cost of time (average reward rate per unit time): if the average reward rate is high, participants should withhold cognitive effort whereas if it is low, they should invest more. In Experiment 1, we examine this hypothesis in children, adolescents, younger, and older adults, by applying a reward rate manipulation in two cognitive control tasks: a modified Erikson Flanker and a task-switching paradigm. We found that young adults and adolescents reflexively withheld effort when the opportunity cost of time was high, whereas older adults and, to a lesser degree children, invested more resources to accumulate reward as quickly as possible. We tentatively interpret these results in terms of age- and task-specific differences in the processing of the opportunity cost of time. We qualify our findings in a second experiment in younger adults in which we address an alternative explanation of our results and show that the observed age differences in effort expenditure may not result from differences in task difficulty. To conclude, we think that our results present an interesting first step at relating opportunity costs to motivational processes across the lifespan. We frame the implications of further work in this area within a recent developmental model of resource-rationality, which points to developmental sweet spots in cognitive control.

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