Consistent Preference Research Articles

Why are consistently-handed individuals more authoritarian? The role of need for cognitive closure

ABSTRACT Recent studies indicate that individuals with consistent hand preference are more authoritarian than individuals whose preference is relatively inconsistent. We explored the role of epistemic needs in the handedness-authoritarianism relationship. Based on findings that consistent individuals are less cognitively flexible than inconsistent individuals, we hypothesized that consistent-handers would report greater need for definite knowledge. To measure this, we administered the revised Need for Cognitive Closure scale to a sample of undergraduates (N = 235), along with measures of handedness consistency and authoritarian submission. Consistent individuals scored significantly higher on authoritarian submission and need for closure. Need for closure fully mediated the relationship between consistency and submission. Consistent individuals also expressed greater prejudice against authoritarian out-groups such as immigrants and liberals. This effect was partially mediated by authoritarian submission. We theorize that consistent-handers’ cognitive inflexibility leads them to covet definite knowledge. These individuals turn to authoritarianism because it promises to stifle dissent and protect existing (conventional) knowledge.

Two Types of Support for Redistribution of Wealth: Consistent and Inconsistent Policy Preferences

This article aims to clarify the latent structure of support for redistribution. To this end, the author analyzed data from the National Survey of Social Stratification and Social Mobility in 2015 (SSM 2015), which was conducted in Japan, using finite mixtures of regression models. The results revealed that the population could be categorized into two latent groups: one that determines preferences for social policies based on self-interest and another that does so based on ideology. Surprisingly, the results also showed that, compared to those who supported redistribution of wealth based on ideology, those who supported them based on self-interest were more likely to hold inconsistent preferences (e.g., simultaneous support for redistribution of wealth and free-market competition). This observation implies that, even when individuals want to determine their policy preferences rationally, they often do not have enough information to correctly assess the influence of each social policy on their self-interest.

Exploring relationships between climate change beliefs and energy preferences: A network analysis of the European Social Survey

Understanding public attitudes to climate change and energy preferences is key to a successful transformation to a low-carbon society. While many studies have examined relationships between specific variables, little is known about the breadth of relationships between multiple climate and energy-relevant concepts. In this paper we used network models to explore and visualize relationships between climate change beliefs and energy preferences, using data from Round 8 of the European Social Survey (ESS8). ESS8 was conducted in 22 European countries and Israel. We found positive relationships between climate change salience, climate change beliefs, climate change concern, personal norm, and personal outcome expectancy, in line with prominent theories within the area. Moreover, beliefs on efficacy of actions of different actors (i.e., governments, large groups of people) to reduce climate change were positively related, and participants had consistent preferences for fossil energy sources or renewable energy sources, respectively. Furthermore, two types of energy security concerns could be distinguished, reflecting temporary and long term threats to energy security, respectively. Energy supply source preferences, energy policy support, and energy conservation behaviors were mostly not uniquely related to the other module variables. Furthermore, the relationships between variables, reflected in the network structure, were comparable across countries.

Does moral reasoning influence public values for health care priority setting?: A population-based randomized stated preference survey

ObjectivePreferences of members of the public are recognized as important inputs into health care priority-setting, though knowledge of such preferences is scant. We sought to generate evidence of public preferences related to healthcare resource allocation among adults and children. MethodsWe conducted an experimental stated preference survey in a national sample of Canadian adults. Preferences were elicited across a range of scenarios and scored on a visual analogue scale. Intervention group participants were randomized to a moral reasoning exercise prior to each choice task. The main outcomes were the differences in mean preference scores by group, scenario, and demographics. ResultsOur results demonstrate a consistent preference by participants to allocate scarce health system resources to children. Exposure to the moral reasoning exercise weakened but did not eliminate this preference. Younger respondent age and parenthood were associated with greater preference for children. The top principles guiding participants’ allocative decisions were treat equally, relieve suffering, and rescue those at risk of dying. ConclusionsOur study affirms the relevance of age in public preferences for the allocation of scarce health care resources, demonstrating a significant preference by participants to allocate healthcare resources to children. However, this preference diminishes when challenged by exposure to a range of moral principles, revealing a strong public endorsement of equality of access. Definitions of value in healthcare based on clinical benefit and cost-effectiveness may exclude moral considerations that the public values, such as equality and humanitarianism, highlighting opportunities to enrich healthcare priority-setting through public engagement.

Solid-state fermentation on poplar sawdust and corncob wastes for lignocellulolytic enzymes by different Pleurotus ostreatus strains

Solid state fermentation with different lignocellulolytic materials as inducers was used for lignocellulolytic enzyme production in this study. Pleurotus ostreatus strains were assessed by measuring laccase, CMCase, and xylanase activities. The secretion potential of the lignocellulolytic enzymes by wild and cultivated strains was analyzed for the first time. The wild and cultivated strain showed their unique capacities for secreting lignocellulolytic enzymes on solid-state fermentation with different lignocellulosic materials. The wild P. ostreatus strain preferred corncob for the secretion of laccase and xylanase activity, but the cultivated strain preferred poplar sawdust. The wild strain and cultivated strain showed a consistent preference for poplar sawdust for the secretion of CMCase activity. The wild strain was advantageous because it achieved the maximum hydrolytic enzyme activities within a short time period. Poplar sawdust and corncob were conducive to laccase secretion by the wild or cultivated strains and the rapid accumulation of laccase on solid-state fermentation. Additionally, continuous, stable laccase production was an extremely important advantage by solid-state fermentation of poplar sawdust, particularly in the wild strain. These findings are helpful in selecting the appropriate strain that corresponds to suitable lignocellulosic materials. The optimization of integrated industrial lignocellulolytic enzyme production can also be achieved.

Piagetian liquid overconservation in grey parrots (Psittacus erithacus).

Piagetian liquid overconservation was investigated in four grey parrots (Psittacus erithacus). Birds tracked the larger of two quantities that had undergone various manipulations. Experiment 1 involved controls to ensure birds could track movement of the quantities, including direct and diagonal cross-transfers. All birds succeeded. In Experiment 2, different amounts in the same transparent or opaque containers were transferred into containers rigged such that amounts then looked equal. All birds chose the larger amounts after transformation when initial cups were transparent, but were random or had consistent side preferences when initial cups were opaque (thus obscuring quantity differences), showing that they used inferential, not perceptual, information, and that no extraneous cues existed. In Experiment 3, two birds saw different amounts from same-sized transparent or opaque containers transferred to containers of different sizes, rigged such that resultant amounts appeared to fill both cups and in which lesser amounts appeared greater on some trials. The older bird demonstrated full use of inferential abilities; he succeeded in all tasks when initial cups were transparent but, again, had consistent side preferences with initially opaque cups. The younger succeeded in the direct transfers with transparent initial cups but was random or showed a side preference on diagonal-transfer tasks and on all the tasks with opaque initial cups. However, she had no preference for the cup that appeared fuller, suggesting she did not use perceptual cues. Overall, grey parrots appear to understand the constancy of liquids undergoing physical transformation. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).

Processing of Rhythm in Speech and Music in Adult Dyslexia.

Recent studies have suggested that musical rhythm perception ability can affect the phonological system. The most prevalent causal account for developmental dyslexia is the phonological deficit hypothesis. As rhythm is a subpart of phonology, we hypothesized that reading deficits in dyslexia are associated with rhythm processing in speech and in music. In a rhythmic grouping task, adults with diagnosed dyslexia and age-matched controls listened to speech streams with syllables alternating in intensity, duration, or neither, and indicated whether they perceived a strong-weak or weak-strong rhythm pattern. Additionally, their reading and musical rhythm abilities were measured. Results showed that adults with dyslexia had lower musical rhythm abilities than adults without dyslexia. Moreover, lower musical rhythm ability was associated with lower reading ability in dyslexia. However, speech grouping by adults with dyslexia was not impaired when musical rhythm perception ability was controlled: like adults without dyslexia, they showed consistent preferences. However, rhythmic grouping was predicted by musical rhythm perception ability, irrespective of dyslexia. The results suggest associations among musical rhythm perception ability, speech rhythm perception, and reading ability. This highlights the importance of considering individual variability to better understand dyslexia and raises the possibility that musical rhythm perception ability is a key to phonological and reading acquisition.

Interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy analytic network process

The analytic network process framework is investigated to solve multi-criteria decision making problems in interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy environments. First, a new approximate multiplicative consistent interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy preference relation is defined, and the equivalent condition of approximate consistency is given by using the chance-constraint programming model of the Me measure. Second, a new method to derive the priorities from the interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy preference relation is proposed, and the corresponding algorithm flow of the interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy analytic network process is established. Finally, the feasibility and effectiveness of the interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy analytic network process are verified by using a numerical example.

Tiger beetles (Coleoptera: Cicindelinae) of Davao Region, Mindanao, Philippines

An assessment of tiger beetles in select mountains of Davao region including Mt. Hamiguitan (MHRWS), Marilog District (MD), Davao City (DC), Sta. Cruz Davao del Sur (SCD), and Davao de Oro (DO) is herein presented. Materials were collected between December 2017 and February 2019 through a combination of opportunistic and standard light trapping methods. Twenty-two species belonging to 9 genera were recorded with 64% endemic in the Philippines. Nine (9) species are recorded from MHRWS, 6 from MD, 8 from DC, 5 SCD, and 14 from DO (formerly Compostela Valley Province). Tiger beetles showed consistent habitat preferences particularly riparian species which includes the genera Calomera, Thopeutica, Therates, Prothyma, Cylindera, and Heptodonta. Strictly arboreal species include Tricondyla, Therates, and Neocollyris. Strict epigeic species include but not limited to the genera Calomera, Tricondyla, Thopeutica, Cylindera, Heptodonta, Neocollyris, and Prothyma. Endemic species such as Heptodonta lumawigi (Wiesner, 1980), Thopeutica (Thopeutica) anichtchenkoi (Wiesner 2015), Thopeutica (Thopeutica) milanae (Wiesner, 1992), Thopeutica (Thopeutica) rolandmuelleri Cassola, 2000 and Thopeutica petertaylori (Medina, Cabras, Wiesner, 2019) prefers a more intact forests while others such as Cylindera (Ifasina) discreta elaphroides (Dokhtouroff 1882), Calomera mindanaoensis (Cassola, 2000) and Necollyris sp. could tolerate disturbed secondary forest even agricultural lands. New distribution record for Heptodonta lumawigi (Wiesner, 1980) and Thopeutica (Thopeutica) milanae (Wiesner, 1992) for Marilog District were also recorded. Ecological data and conservation status of tiger beetles are also presented. Conservation actions are deemed necessary in the remaining green spaces in Davao City that hosts tiger beetle fauna should also be conducted.

Disability’ or ‘Additional study needs’? Identifying students’ language preferences in disability-related communications

ABSTRACT To support inclusive and equitable study, higher educational institutions (HEIs) often address students categorised as ‘disabled’ in communications to provide information about support or encourage disclosure of information about conditions. However, if students do not identify with the language used it creates barriers to accessing support. There is little understanding of preferences and comfort with language in this area. This paper describes a study in a UK HEI developed to investigate language preferences for common points of communication with the HEI and level of comfort with particular statements. The outcomes of a prior study to elicit language models were used to develop a survey to capture views at scale from students with declared disabilities (n = 723). Terminology addressing students as ‘disabled’ was uncomfortable for many (particularly those with mental health conditions or specific learning difficulties, such as dyslexia). ‘Additional study needs’ was preferred. However, we find divergence in preferences across contexts, rather than a consistent preference for any recognised language model. We also identify clusters with significantly different perspectives on language within the population. This leads us to argue that differential and inclusive approaches should be explored, rather than solely focusing on a single model of appropriate language.

Multi-Attribute Decision Making Based on Stochastic DEA Cross-Efficiency with Ordinal Variable and Its Application to Evaluation of Banks’ Sustainable Development

Multi-attribute decision making (MADM) is a cognitive process for evaluating data with different attributes in order to select the optimal alternative from a finite number of alternatives. In the real world, a lot of MADM problems involve some random and ordinal variables. Therefore, in this paper, a MADM method based on stochastic data envelopment analysis (DEA) cross-efficiency with ordinal variable is proposed. First, we develop a stochastic DEA model with ordinal variable, which can derive self-efficiency and the optimal weight of each attribute for all decision making units (DMUs). To further improve its discrimination power, cross-efficiency as a significant extension is proposed, which utilizes peer DMUs’ optimal weight to evaluate the relative efficiency of each alternative. Then, based on self-efficiency and cross-efficiency of all DMUs, we construct corresponding fuzzy preference relations (FPRs) and consistent fuzzy preference relations (FPRs). In addition, we obtain the priority weight vector of all DMUs by utilizing the row wise summation technique according to the consistent FPRs. Finally, we provide a numerical example for evaluating operation performance of sustainable development of 15 listed banks in China, which illustrates the feasibility and applicability of the proposed MADM method based on stochastic DEA cross-efficiency with ordinal variable.

Rhythmic grouping biases in simultaneous bilinguals

AbstractThis study provides a novel approach for testing the universality of perceptual biases by looking at speech processing in simultaneous bilingual adults learning two languages that support the maintenance of this bias to different degrees. Specifically, we investigated the Iambic/Trochaic Law, an assumed universal grouping bias, in simultaneous French–German bilinguals, presenting them with streams of syllables varying in intensity, duration or neither and asking them whether they perceived them as strong-weak or weak-strong groupings. Results showed robust, consistent grouping preferences. A comparison to monolinguals from previous studies revealed that they pattern with German-speaking monolinguals, and differ from French-speaking monolinguals. The distribution of simultaneous bilinguals' individual performance was best explained by a model fitting a unimodal (not bimodal) distribution, failing to support two subgroups of language dominance. Moreover, neither language experience nor language context predicted their performance. These findings suggest a special role for universal biases in simultaneous bilinguals.

Measuring consistency of interval-valued preference relations: comments and comparison

The concepts of consistency definition and consistency index are usually used to measure the consistency of a preference relation. When interval numbers are used to express the preference information, the consistency of the derived interval-valued preference relations (IVPRs) is worth being investigated. In this study, a comment is provided for the ideas behind consistency definitions and consistency indexes of interval multiplicative reciprocal matrices (IMRMs) and interval additive reciprocal matrices (IARMs), respectively. A comparison is made by considering the two kinds of consistency definitions of IVPRs. It is found that the method of defining the consistency of IVPRs in terms of the imaginary intervals is equivalent to that of defining the approximate consistency. Numerical examples are reported to illustrate the differences of the two consistency definitions of IVPRs. The observations illustrate that the fundamental inconsistency of IVPRs is compatible with the underlying idea of fuzzy sets. It is revealed that a consistent preference relation is only a particular case with a fixed value of the defined consistency index. In general, the consistency index could be used to quantify the deviation degree from a consistent real-valued preference relation.

Selection of Plant Location using Consistent FAHP and Goal Programming Technique

Hierarchy Process (AHP) is one of the effectively used tools for solving Multi Criteria decision making problem. In AHP the decision maker’s ambiguity and uncertainty cannot be handled. To solve this, AHP is extended in Fuzzy environment. In this paper a new method of Fuzzy AHP based on multiplicative consistent fuzzy preference relation is introduced. In this method, an iterative algorithm is given to construct comparison matrices from n (n-1)/2 preferences .From these comparison matrices the weight vectors are evaluated by goal programming technique. The validity of this method is checked by applying this it to a solved problem in the literature and it is found that this method yields the same result. Location of a manufacturing plant has a significant impact on the performance of the company as it minimizes the cost and maximizes the use of resource. A manufacturing industry wants to select a location for its new plant. The method proposed in this paper is applied to select the best location out of several alternatives with the real time data.

Diet choice in a generalist predator, the invasive lionfish (Pterois volitans/miles)

Diet choice in marine species is typically derived from indirect methods such as stomach contents and stable isotope analysis, while choice experiments in controlled laboratory settings are used to infer foraging decisions in the wild. However, these methods are limited in their capacity to make inferences about foraging decisions by predators in variable environments or recreate the array of factors (such as prey traits, predator condition, and environmental conditions) present in natural systems which may interact to affect diet decisions by predators. Recent work has provided evidence for selectivity in the invasive Indo-Pacific lionfish (Pterois volitans/miles) despite the predator's apparent opportunistic, generalist feeding behavior. We directly tested diet choice by presenting wild-caught lionfish with multi-species prey assemblages in field enclosures. We offered lionfish equal biomasses of prey species sharing similar prey traits that are both highly abundant on coral reefs and prevalent in the lionfish diet across the invaded range. We then applied compositional analyses to determine relative prey consumption given prey availability. We observed lionfish selectively foraging on prey and manifesting strong consistent preferences for one prey species. Additionally, we observed condition-dependent foraging behavior, as lionfish with higher body conditions were more likely to exhibit selective foraging behavior. Our findings provide direct evidence for diet choice in an invasive generalist species and highlight the importance of preserving the ecological complexity of natural ecosystems in choice experiments, particularly when investigating predator-prey interactions in complex environments.

How do people interpret the value concept? Development and evaluation of the value conceptualisation scale using a mixed method approach

ABSTRACT Value research has a long and extensive history of theoretical definitions and empirical investigations using large scale quantitative surveys. However, the way the general population understands, defines, and relates to the concept of values, and how these views vary across individuals is seldom addressed. The present study examined subjective interpretations of the term through focus group interviews, and reports on the development of a Value Conceptualisation Scale (VCS) that distinguishes six dimensions of different views on values: normativity, relevance, validity, stability, consistency, and awareness. Focus group interviews (n = 38) as well as several surveys (n = 100, n = 1519, n = 903, n = 94) were used to develop, refine, and test the scale in terms of response variety, temporal stability, as well as convergent and discriminant validity. These systematic results show that views on values do indeed vary significantly between participants. Correlations with dogmatism, preference for consistency, and metacognition were found for corresponding dimensions. The VCS provides an original measure, which enables future research to explore this variation on the conceptualisation of values.

One Step at a Time: Does Gradualism Build Coordination?

We study how -- increasing required levels (thresholds) of contributions slowly over time rather than requiring a high level of contribution immediately -- affects individuals' decisions to contribute to a public project. Using a laboratory binary choice minimum-effort coordination game, we randomly assign participants to three treatments: starting and continuing at a high threshold, starting at a low threshold but jumping to a high threshold after a few periods, and starting at a low threshold and gradually increasing the threshold over time (the gradualism treatment). We find that individuals coordinate most successfully at the high threshold in the treatment relative to the other two groups. We propose a theory based on belief updating to explain why works. We also discuss alternative explanations such as reinforcement learning, conditional cooperation, inertia, preference for consistency, and limited attention. Our findings point to a simple, voluntary mechanism to promote successful coordination when the capacity to impose sanctions is limited.

Consistency of Hearing Aid Setting Preference in Simulated Real-World Environments: Implications for Trainable Hearing Aids.

Trainable hearing aids let users fine-tune their hearing aid settings in their own listening environment: Based on consistent user-adjustments and information about the acoustic environment, the trainable aids will change environment-specific settings to the user’s preference. A requirement for effective fine-tuning is consistency of preference for similar settings in similar environments. The aim of this study was to evaluate consistency of preference for settings differing in intensity, gain-frequency slope, and directionality when listening in simulated real-world environments and to determine if participants with more consistent preferences could be identified based on profile measures. A total of 52 adults (63–88 years) with hearing varying from normal to a moderate sensorineural hearing loss selected their preferred setting from pairs differing in intensity (3 or 6 dB), gain-frequency slope (±1.3 or ± 2.7 dB/octave), or directionality (omnidirectional vs. cardioid) in four simulated real-world environments: traffic noise, a monologue in traffic noise at 5 dB signal-to-noise ratio, and a dialogue in café noise at 5 and at 0 dB signal-to-noise ratio. Forced-choice comparisons were made 10 times for each combination of pairs of settings and environment. Participants also completed nine psychoacoustic, cognitive, and personality measures. Consistency of preference, defined by a setting preferred at least 9 out of 10 times, varied across participants. More participants obtained consistent preferences for larger differences between settings and less difficult environments. The profile measures did not predict consistency of preference. Trainable aid users could benefit from counselling to ensure realistic expectations for particular adjustments and listening situations.

A trial to generalise evaluation of key driving factors of port-city waterfront development

This paper investigates the key successful factors in waterfront port development (WPD). Consistent fuzzy preference relation (CFPR), with the combination of the preference ranking organisation methods for enrichment evaluation (PROMETHEE), is applied to six ports, namely Busan, Incheon Inner Port, Bangkok, Kaohsiung, Montreal and Liverpool. The latter technique evaluates the performance of WPD among the studied cases, while the former draws the key successful factors (KSFs) of the selected ports. To draw meaningful comparison with the test results from past research, this paper takes the same evaluation hierarchy in the questionnaire form in Lee et al. (2016). With a further validity of the previous findings in WPD studies, this paper does not only provide insight on exploring the generalisation of KSFs in WPD in a longitude manner, but also contributes to the literature of WPD and port-city interplays.

Rawls ve Nozick Bireysel Haklar, Tercihler ve Yetenekler Üzerine

Bu çalışmada, John Rawls’un yeniden dağıtım teorisi ile Robert Nozick’in yetkilenme teorisinin bir karşılaştırması sunulacaktır. Bir tarafta Rawls’un hem toplumsal sözleşme teorileri arasındaki yeri bakımından hem de önerdiği yeniden dağıtım teorisi bakımından önemli olan adalet tezi yer alırken; diğer yanda Rawls’a adeta meydan okuyan ve yeniden dağıtım ve sözleşmeyi reddederek bireyi ve bireyin kendi üzerindeki tahakkümünü öne çıkaran Nozick’in yetkilenme teorisi yer alır. İki teoriyi toplumsal işbirliği ve bireycilik, sosyal-dağıtıcı adalet ve bireysel adalet, tercihlere/yeteneklere duyarlılık ve bireysel haklar kavramları bağlamında karşılaştırmak mümkündür. Bu bağlamda, bu çalışmanın amacı iki düşünürün teorilerini hem kendi içlerindeki tutarlılık bakımından değerlendirmek hem de bireysel haklar ve tercihlere/yeteneklere duyarlılık açısından ele almaktır. Bu karşılaştırma iki görüşün toplumun temel yapısını belirleyen kabullerini göstermek ve genel olarak toplumsal birliktelik veya işbirliği ve bireycilik karşıtlığına örnek olması bakımından önemlidir. Aynı zamanda, bu karşılaştırma bireysel hakların ve tercihlerin sınırlarını gösterebilmek açısından da bir öneme sahiptir. Bu amaçla, öncelikle Rawls’un yeniden dağıtım teorisi daha sonra Nozick’in yetkilenme teorisi ele alınacaktır. Son olarak, bireysel hak ve tercihlere/yeteneklere duyarlılık kavramlarının iki düşünürün teorilerindeki yerleri ve kabulleri karşılaştırılarak sunulacaktır. Bu bağlamda, bu konuda görünen karşıtlığın iki teorinin kavramsal arka planları göz önünde bulundurulduğunda tam anlamıyla bir karşıtlık teşkil edip etmediği sorgulanacak ve Nozick’in eleştirilerine karşı Rawls’ın birey ve hak kavramsallaştırmasının tutarlılığı ve uygulanabilirliği savunulacaktır.