scholarly journals Meta-analysis on belief in free will manipulations

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oliver Genschow ◽  
Emiel Cracco ◽  
Jana Schneider ◽  
John Protzko ◽  
David Wisniewski ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Free Will ◽  
Publication Bias ◽  
Cognitive Neuroscience ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Psychological Research ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Popular Media ◽  
Philosophical Debate

Whether free will exists is a longstanding philosophical debate. Cognitive neuroscience and popular media have been putting forward the idea that free will is an illusion, raising the question of what would happen if people stopped believing in free will altogether. Psychological research has investigated this question by testing the consequences of experimentally weakening people’s belief in free will. The results of these investigations have been mixed, with successful experiments and unsuccessful replications. This raises two fundamental questions that can best be investigated with a meta-analysis: First, can free will beliefs be manipulated and, second, do such manipulations have downstream consequences? In a meta-analysis across 146 experiments (95 unpublished) with a total of 26,305 participants, we show that exposing individuals to anti-free will manipulations decreases belief in free will, g = -0.29, 95% CI = [-0.35, -0.22], and increases belief in determinism, g = 0.17, 95% CI = [0.09, 0.24]. In contrast, we find little evidence for the idea that manipulating belief in free will has downstream consequences after accounting for small sample and publication bias. Together, our findings have important theoretical implications for research on free will beliefs and contribute to the discussion of whether reducing people’s belief in free will has societal consequences.

Action and Inaction in Moral Judgments and Decisions: Meta-Analysis of Omission Bias Omission-Commission Asymmetries

2021 ◽  
pp. 014616722110423
Author(s):  
Siu Kit Yeung ◽  
Tijen Yay ◽  
Gilad Feldman
Keyword(s):  
Confidence Interval ◽  
Low Power ◽  
Publication Bias ◽  
Study Design ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Moral Judgments ◽  
Omission Bias ◽  
Outcome Type

Omission bias is people’s tendency to evaluate harm done through omission as less morally wrong and less blameworthy than commission when there is harm. However, findings are inconsistent. We conducted a preregistered meta-analysis, with 21 samples (13 articles, 49 effects) on omission-commission asymmetries in judgments and decisions. We found an overall effect of g = 0.45, 95% confidence interval (CI) = [0.14, 0.77], with stronger effects for morality and blame than for decisions. Publication bias tests produced mixed results with some indication for publication bias, though effects persisted even after most publication bias adjustments. The small sample of studies included limited our ability to draw definite conclusions regarding moderators, with inconclusive findings when applying different models. After compensating for low power, we found indication for moderation by role responsibility, perspective (self vs. others), outcome type, and study design. We hope this meta-analysis will inspire research on this phenomenon and applications to real-life, especially given the raging pandemic. Materials, data, and code are available on https://osf.io/9fcqm/ .

scholarly journals Prevalence of overweight/obesity among the adult population in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. e039200
Author(s):  
Ayelign Mengesha Kassie ◽  
Biruk Beletew Abate ◽  
Mesfin Wudu Kassaw
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Sample Size ◽  
Publication Bias ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Urban Settings ◽  
Pooled Prevalence ◽  
Prevalence Of Obesity

BackgroundOverweight and obesity are emerging public health problems in Ethiopia. However, primary study findings on the prevalence of overweight and obesity in Ethiopia are inconsistent. Therefore, this study aimed to estimate the pooled prevalence of overweight and obesity among adults in Ethiopia.MethodsStudies that looked at overweight and obesity among adults were searched from four international databases. The search involved articles published from 1 January 2010 to 10 March 2020. The Cochran’s Q χ2 and the I2 test statistics were used to check heterogeneity among the studies. The funnel plot and Egger’s regression tests were also used to assess the presence of publication bias. Subgroup analysis was performed by residence, study setting, sample size and year of study. Sensitivity analysis was also done to assess the effect of a single study on the pooled estimates. Data analysis was done using STATA V.14 software program.ResultsA total of 16 studies with 19 527 study participants were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis. The estimated pooled prevalence of overweight among adults in Ethiopia was 20.4%, and after adjustment for publication bias with the trim-and-fill analysis, the estimated prevalence rate was changed to 19%. Besides, the estimated pooled prevalence of obesity was 5.4%. The prevalence of overweight was higher, 22.6% in studies published since 2015, 22.4% in studies conducted only in urban settings and 24.4% in studies with small sample size (≤384 participants). Similarly, the prevalence of obesity was 6.9% in studies published since 2015, 6.2% in studies conducted only in urban settings, 6.4% in institution-based settings and 9.6% in studies with small sample size.ConclusionThe prevalence of overweight and obesity is high in Ethiopia compared with previous studies. This needs large scale awareness creation campaigns and situation-based and context-specific prevention strategies.

scholarly journals The Impact of Mindfulness-Based Programmes on Self-Compassion in Nonclinical Populations: a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Mindfulness ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-52
Author(s):  
Hannah L. Golden ◽  
Jane Vosper ◽  
Jessica Kingston ◽  
Lyn Ellett
Keyword(s):  
Publication Bias ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Medium Effect ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Significant Heterogeneity ◽  
Self Compassion ◽  
Small Sample Sizes ◽  
Randomised Controlled ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Objectives Self-compassion has been proposed as a mechanism of change in mindfulness-based programmes (MBPs). The current study systematically reviewed the evidence for the effect of MBPs on self-compassion, in randomised controlled trials addressing broad mental health outcomes (depression, anxiety and stress) in nonclinical populations, and statistically synthesisesd these findings in a meta-analysis. Methods Three databases were systematically searched, and pre-post programme between group effect sizes (Hedges g) were calculated and synthesised using meta-analytic procedures. Correlation between change in self-compassion and distress (r) was also assessed. Moderator analyses were conducted and publication bias was assessed. Results Twenty-six studies met inclusion criteria (n = 598). A significant medium effect of pre-post change on self-compassion was found for MBPs compared to control conditions (g = 0.60, 95% CI = 0.41 to 0.80, p < 0.001). There was significant heterogeneity in the study sample, and no differences found for any of the moderators tested. There was no strong evidence for publication bias. Meta-analysis of correlation between change in self-compassion and distress was underpowered and found no significant effect. The improvement in self-compassion following MBI was not always consistent with improvements in depression or anxiety. Conclusions The results suggest that MBPs can increase self-compassion in nonclinical populations, though the moderators of this effect remain unknown. Methodological limitations include small sample sizes, over-reliance on wait-list control conditions and limitations in how self-compassion is measured. Theoretical and clinical implications of the review, and future research directions, are also discussed.

scholarly journals Clinical Efficacy of Infantile Massage in the Treatment of Infant Functional Constipation: A Meta-Analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhi Liu ◽  
Li Gang ◽  
Ma Yunwei ◽  
Ling Lin
Keyword(s):  
Drug Therapy ◽  
Publication Bias ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Functional Constipation ◽  
Effective Rate ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Infant Massage ◽  
Complementary And Alternative Therapy ◽  
Defecation Frequency ◽  
Stool Form

Background: Functional constipation in children is a common disease that causes a psychological burden on infants and young children across the world. It will greatly affect infant quality of life in early childhood and even affect their psychological and physical health. At present, infant functional constipation is treated with western drugs alone, but this can produce drug dependency. In recent years, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) infant massage has been used as a complementary and alternative therapy, and its effectiveness and safety have been proven, attracting the attention of numerous researchers.Objective: Our study aimed to compare the influence of infant massage intervention on defecation frequency and consistency, determine the effectiveness, and safety of infant massage in the treatment of infant functional constipation, and obtain high-quality clinical evidence.Methods: Based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) Statement, inclusion, and exclusion criteria were formulated. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on TCM infant massage for the treatment of infant functional constipation were found following a search of four mainstream medical databases. RCTs found to meet the study's requirement were included; data information was then extracted, and the quality was assessed using the Cochrane bias risk assessment tool. Through RevMan software, a meta-analysis was carried out for overall effective rate, stool form, defecation frequency, defecation difficulty, and constipation symptom scoring index. The relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were calculated, heterogeneity was tested and its source was found, and publication bias was assessed through the Egger's and Begg's tests and by means of funnel plots.Results: A total of 23 RCTs and 2,005 patients were included. The results of the meta-analysis showed that compared to drug therapy alone, TCM infant massage had a superior effect on the treatment of infant functional constipation. This difference was statistically significant (p &lt; 0.05) and evaluated according to the overall effective rate (RR = 1.25; 95% CI = 1.17, 1.33), defecation frequency [mean difference (MD) = −0.72; 95% CI = −0.80, −0.65], and constipation symptom score (MD = −0.81; 95% CI = −1.20, −0.43), showing that TCM infant massage is indeed superior to drug therapy alone in the treatment of infant functional constipation. TCM infant massage was found to be equivalent to drug therapy alone in terms of the stool form score [−0.30 (−0.38, −0.22)] and the defecation difficulty score [−0.73 (−0.81, −0.65)], since the difference was not statistically significant (p &gt; 0.05). The source of heterogeneity might be related to the state of patient, manipulation of the massages, efficacy of drugs in the control group, and difference in judgment criteria for efficacy. The Egger's test and Begg's test showed that publication bias did not occur in our study.Conclusion: TCM infant massage can increase defecation frequency and reduce the symptoms of constipation in children suffering from functional constipation; in addition, the clinical trial showed beneficial effects. Since some of the RCTs featured a very small sample size, the reliability and validity of our study's conclusion may have been affected as well; therefore, the explanation should be treated with some caution. In the future, a large number of higher-quality RCTs are still needed to confirm the results of our study.

Abstract 14670: A Meta-analysis of Survival Outcomes Between Two Uncommon Mechanical Circulatory Support Device Combinations

Circulation ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 142 (Suppl_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kaushik Amancherla ◽  
Jay Patel ◽  
Tara Holder ◽  
Jared O'Leary
Keyword(s):  
Cardiogenic Shock ◽  
Publication Bias ◽  
Case Reports ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Limb Ischemia ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Circulatory Support ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Va Ecmo

Introduction: Veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) and Impella devices are being used in increasing frequency for cardiogenic shock. Left ventricular unloading strategies are often used in VA-ECMO. The combination of simultaneous left- and right-sided Impellas, colloquially called “BIPELLA”, also offers biventricular support. There is a paucity of data regarding these combinations of platforms. We performed a systematic review of the literature to assess clinical outcomes in patients treated with ECPELLA and BIPELLA for cardiogenic shock. Methods: A systematic search of PubMed using the terms “ECMO”, “ECPELLA”, “BIPELLA”, and “Impella” was performed. Included studies evaluated mortality and complications associated with use of ECPELLA and/or BiPELLA. Reference lists of eligible studies helped identify additional publications meeting inclusion criteria. Case reports and conference abstracts were excluded. Heterogeneity among eligible studies was assessed using the I2 statistic. Publication bias was assessed using Egger’s regression and visual inspection of funnel plots. The primary outcome was in-hospital or 30-day mortality. Secondary outcomes assessed complications. Results: The results of publication bias assessment are provided in Figure 1A. Egger’s test was not significant (p = 0.56). A total of 139 patients underwent ECPELLA implantation and 20 underwent BIPELLA implantation. Mortality for the overall cohort was 51% with no significant difference between groups (p = 0.93) (Figure 1B). There was no significant difference between the groups with bleeding (p = 0.74), hemolysis (p = 0.34), and limb ischemia (p = 0.58). Conclusion: These data suggest no differences in short-term mortality and certain complications between ECPELLA and BIPELLA strategies. However, the available literature is sparse, with small sample sizes and suffers from a paucity of significant hemodynamic data. Further prospective data are needed.

scholarly journals Volition and “free will”

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Silvia Seghezzi ◽  
Patrick Haggard
Keyword(s):  
Free Will ◽  
Cognitive Neuroscience ◽  
Psychiatric Patients ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Voluntary Action ◽  
Experimental Conditions ◽  
Brain Circuitry ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Systematic Manipulation

Philosophers have debated the “free will” for centuries, yet it is only in recent years that voluntary actions have become an object of investigation for cognitive neuroscience. This review begins by attempting a definition of volition (i.e., the mental state associated specifically with voluntary actions) that could be relevant for cognitive neuroscience. We then review the neuropsychology of volition. Alterations in voluntary behaviour in neurological and psychiatric patients first suggested the possibility that specific cognitive processes of volition have specific bases in the brain. These findings counter traditional dogmas that human volition is somehow ineffable, and instead suggest that voluntary actions depend on specific brain circuitry that is accessible to scientific investigation.The second part of the review focuses on the experimental psychology of volition. A number of studies have combined a systematic manipulation of experimental conditions, and recording of brain processes associated with voluntary action. We argue that this combination is most likely to identify the brain processes specifically associated with volition, and we therefore review these studies systematically. For example, several studies link the Readiness Potential of the EEG to preparatory conscious preplanning of actions. Further, a meta-analysis of neuroimaging studies (PET/ fMRI) reveals a distinctive pattern of activations for choosing one among many possible actions - a key element of volition. The medial frontal cortex appears to make a key contribution to both these biomarkers of volition.

How to Detect Publication Bias in Psychological Research

2019 ◽  
Vol 227 (4) ◽  
pp. 261-279 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frank Renkewitz ◽  
Melanie Keiner
Keyword(s):  
Publication Bias ◽  
Effect Size ◽  
Statistical Power ◽  
Type I Error ◽  
Psychological Research ◽  
Type I ◽  
True Effect Size ◽  
Questionable Research Practices ◽  
True Effect ◽  
Meta Analyses

Abstract. Publication biases and questionable research practices are assumed to be two of the main causes of low replication rates. Both of these problems lead to severely inflated effect size estimates in meta-analyses. Methodologists have proposed a number of statistical tools to detect such bias in meta-analytic results. We present an evaluation of the performance of six of these tools. To assess the Type I error rate and the statistical power of these methods, we simulated a large variety of literatures that differed with regard to true effect size, heterogeneity, number of available primary studies, and sample sizes of these primary studies; furthermore, simulated studies were subjected to different degrees of publication bias. Our results show that across all simulated conditions, no method consistently outperformed the others. Additionally, all methods performed poorly when true effect sizes were heterogeneous or primary studies had a small chance of being published, irrespective of their results. This suggests that in many actual meta-analyses in psychology, bias will remain undiscovered no matter which detection method is used.

Identification of and Correction for Publication Bias: Comment

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda Kvarven ◽  
Eirik Strømland ◽  
Magnus Johannesson
Keyword(s):  
Publication Bias ◽  
False Positive ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
False Positive Rate ◽  
Effect Sizes ◽  
Replication Studies ◽  
Moderate Reduction ◽  
Positive Rate ◽  
Meta Analyses

Andrews &amp; Kasy (2019) propose an approach for adjusting effect sizes in meta-analysis for publication bias. We use the Andrews-Kasy estimator to adjust the result of 15 meta-analyses and compare the adjusted results to 15 large-scale multiple labs replication studies estimating the same effects. The pre-registered replications provide precisely estimated effect sizes, which do not suffer from publication bias. The Andrews-Kasy approach leads to a moderate reduction of the inflated effect sizes in the meta-analyses. However, the approach still overestimates effect sizes by a factor of about two or more and has an estimated false positive rate of between 57% and 100%.

A Meta-Analysis of the Facial Feedback Literature: Effects of Facial Feedback on Emotional Experience Are Small and Variable

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas Alvaro Coles ◽  
Jeff T. Larsen ◽  
Heather Lench
Keyword(s):  
Publication Bias ◽  
Emotional Experience ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Effect Sizes ◽  
Detection Methods ◽  
Feedback Effects ◽  
Facial Feedback ◽  
Facial Movements ◽  
Facial Feedback Hypothesis ◽  
Variance Estimates

The facial feedback hypothesis suggests that an individual’s experience of emotion is influenced by feedback from their facial movements. To evaluate the cumulative evidence for this hypothesis, we conducted a meta-analysis on 286 effect sizes derived from 138 studies that manipulated facial feedback and collected emotion self-reports. Using random effects meta-regression with robust variance estimates, we found that the overall effect of facial feedback was significant, but small. Results also indicated that feedback effects are stronger in some circumstances than others. We examined 12 potential moderators, and three were associated with differences in effect sizes. 1. Type of emotional outcome: Facial feedback influenced emotional experience (e.g., reported amusement) and, to a greater degree, affective judgments of a stimulus (e.g., the objective funniness of a cartoon). Three publication bias detection methods did not reveal evidence of publication bias in studies examining the effects of facial feedback on emotional experience, but all three methods revealed evidence of publication bias in studies examining affective judgments. 2. Presence of emotional stimuli: Facial feedback effects on emotional experience were larger in the absence of emotionally evocative stimuli (e.g., cartoons). 3. Type of stimuli: When participants were presented with emotionally evocative stimuli, facial feedback effects were larger in the presence of some types of stimuli (e.g., emotional sentences) than others (e.g., pictures). The available evidence supports the facial feedback hypothesis’ central claim that facial feedback influences emotional experience, although these effects tend to be small and heterogeneous.

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