Information Processing Behavior Research Articles

Health information-seeking behavior and perceived information source credibility among middle-aged and older adults

This is the first empirical study to compare the health information-seeking behaviors among the middle-aged groups and older adults. The purpose of this research paper is to explore how middle-aged and older adults use different sources to acquire health information, their perception of information quality, and information processing behaviors. A survey study was conducted among 786 Hong Kong residents aged 40 to 69. The study found that respondents relied heavily on their families and friends to obtain health information. Although professionals were the second least used information source for health information, it was considered the most credible one among the respondents. New media was perceived as the least used as well as the least credible source for health information. Older adults more relied on traditional media and professionals to get health information while middle-aged adults more frequently used new media to obtain health information.

An exploratory study of information re-finding behaviour modes of Chinese college students on social media: video diary analysis from Chinese platforms

ABSTRACT This study aims to explore college students’ information-re-finding behaviour in the context of social media by identifying different behaviour modes to enrich the research on the information behaviour of social media users. Thirty-two college students volunteered to record their re-finding process once it occurred within two weeks by the video diary method. One hundred and forty-six valid events were collected and analysed qualitatively and quantitatively. It was shown that the behaviour process of information re-finding on social media experienced six stages: scene triggering, information demand generating, social media selecting, re-finding, information confirmation and information processing. Forty-eight kinds of information re-finding modes were illustrated and summarised into seven categories according to where and how the information was finally found: following, chat record, keyword, favourites, history, personal dynamics and the like. From further analysis, it was proved that significant differences did exist between varied re-finding behaviour modes in information needs and re-finding time rather than information processing behaviour. The study could expand the traditional information search model into mixed timing by considering recalling and re-finding. Practically, it generates useful practical implications for the design of re-finding functions, information recommendation and memory services of social media.

Activation of M1 cholinergic receptors in mouse somatosensory cortex enhances information processing and detection behaviour

To optimise sensory representations based on environmental demands, the activity of cortical neurons is regulated by neuromodulators such as Acetylcholine (ACh). ACh is implicated in cognitive functions including attention, arousal and sleep cycles. However, it is not clear how specific ACh receptors shape the activity of cortical neurons in response to sensory stimuli. Here, we investigate the role of a densely expressed muscarinic ACh receptor M1 in information processing in the mouse primary somatosensory cortex and its influence on the animal’s sensitivity to detect vibrotactile stimuli. We show that M1 activation results in faster and more reliable neuronal responses, manifested by a significant reduction in response latencies and the trial-to-trial variability. At the population level, M1 activation reduces the network synchrony, and thus enhances the capacity of cortical neurons in conveying sensory information. Consistent with the neuronal findings, we show that M1 activation significantly improves performances in a vibriotactile detection task.

Communication Behaviour of Fish Farmers of the FFPO on Scientific Fish Farming

The study examined the communication behaviour of within Fish Farmers Producer Organizations (FFPO) in the Purba Medinipur District of West Bengal in 2023. Using a descriptive research design, data were collected from 120 fish farmers representing four FFPOs in the district. 62.5 per cent regularly contacted fellow farmers for information among (personal localite channels) and, 57.5 per cent reached out to private company consultants, extension workers, or input dealers (personal cosmopolite channels). In terms of impersonal cosmopolite channels, 95 per cent used mobile apps and the Internet as their primary sources of fish-farm-related information. Fish farmers predominantly used personal localite channels to purchase improved seed varieties (80.83%) and feeding practices (72.5%). Personal cosmopolite channels were mainly employed to avail financial benefits (79.16%) and disease diagnosis and management (76.66%). Impersonal cosmopolite channels were utilized less, with 24.16 per cent for marketing and branding. Regarding information-processing behaviour, most respondents evaluated information through discussions with fellow farmers (67.5%) and deliberation based on previous experiences (34.16%). Information storage was accomplished through memorization (75.83%). Most respondents transferred information by sharing with their fellow members for localized awareness (27.5%). Implementing strategies like regular training, promoting information exchange, and utilizing extension services can improve the communication behaviour of fish farmers within FFPO.

A Study on Communication Behaviour of Wheat Growers in Reasi Distt. of Jammu & Kashmir, India

Introduction of latest interactive communication technology among the rural population has opened a new vista of researchers to find out viability, acquaintance, accessibility, satisfaction, constraints and many more issues of the launched electronic communication technology and systems. There exists a gap between the information available and its dissemination. There is a need to find out better and faster means of communication which will bridge the gap between the researches and their applicability. The information technology revolution has provided huge opportunities to make easy access to information with interactive distance learning. The mechanism of internet and T.V. aided information technology help to reach the unreach.
 Wheat is an important crop grown in hilly Distt. Reasi of Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir where different varieties of wheat are grown. Keeping in mind the importance of communication behaviour in the transfer of wheat production technology, a study on “Communication Behaviour of Wheat Growers in Reasidistt. Reasi of Jammu &Kashmir, India” was conducted in hilly District Reasi of Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir which was selected purposively. Out of 12 C.D. Blocks 4C.D.Blocks namely Reasi, Pouni, Katra and Thuroo were selected randomly. A sample of 20 per cent villages was selected randomly from selected Gram Panchayats. A sample of 20 per cent Gram Panchayats from each selected block was selected randomly. A sample of 20 per cent villages from the selected Gram Panchayats was selected randomly. A sample of 20 per cent (150) wheat growers was selected randomly from selected villages. Hence, a total of 150 respondents were finally selected for recording their responses for study purpose. Communication behaviour of wheat growers has been operationalised as information input, information processing and information output behaviour of the respondents. An index was prepared for studying the communication behaviour of wheat growers, wherein information input was studied in terms of sources of information, processing of information was studied in terms of evaluation, storage and transfer of information and information output was studied in terms of dissemination of information.
 It was found that the majority of respondents were using Extension Personnel of KVK, Extension Personnel of Departments of Agriculture, progressive farmers, television, relatives and friends and radio as arranged rank wise 1, 2, 3,4, 5 and 6respectively as the main sources of information on wheat production technologies referred as the information input behaviour of the vegetables growers.
 A large number of farmers used to evaluate (processing) the information by discussing with the elder family members, progressive farmers, neighbourers and local leaders/key communicators as arranged rankwise 1, 2, 3 and 4 respectively. Majority of wheat growers stored the information by memorization and writing in general notebooks as arranged rankwise 1 and 2 respectively. A large number of wheat growers transformed the information by rearranging the important information as per their needs and rearranging the information in local dialect. Majority of wheat growers disseminated the information (information output) to their family members, neighbourers and those who cultivate in their lands as arranged rank wise 1, 2 and 3 respectively. It was found that majority of wheat growers had medium communication behaviour towards different wheat production information sources.

Correction to: How mutual fund investors’objective and subjective knowledge impacts their information search and processing behaviour

Correction to: How mutual fund investors’objective and subjective knowledge impacts their information search and processing behaviour

Correction to: A comprehensive model of information search and processing behaviour of mutual fund investors

Correction to: A comprehensive model of information search and processing behaviour of mutual fund investors

“I’m Just Going to Stay Out of the Way”: How Perceived Information Gathering Capacity Influenced Risk Information Seeking and Processing During the COVID-19 Pandemic

When a new risk emerges, people must seek out and process information to help them understand how to manage the risk in their daily lives. The risk information seeking and processing (RISP) model has been used to explain what factors both contribute to risk information seeking and processing behaviors. The present study uses focus groups and deductive thematic analysis to examine how a novel risk context, the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, may influence RISP relationships. Findings reveal important limitations of current understandings of RISP, particularly concerning perceived information gathering capacity. This study prompts future research to reexamine how perceived information gathering capacity may significantly impact antecedents and outcomes of systematic, non-routine information seeking and processing during an emerging risk.

Effects of Language on Angry drivers’ Situation Awareness, Driving Performance, and Subjective Perception in Level 3 Automated Vehicles

Research shows that anger has a negative impact on cognition due to the rumination effect and in the context of driving, anger negatively impacts situation awareness, driving performance, and road safety. In-vehicle agents are capable of mitigating the effects of anger and subsequent effects on driving behavior. Language is another important aspect that influences information processing and human behavior during social interactions. This study aimed to explore the effects of the language of in-vehicle agents on angry drivers’ situation awareness, driving performance, and subjective perception by conducting a within-subject driving simulator study. Twenty four young drivers drove three different laps in a level 3 automated vehicle with a native-language speaking agent (Hindi or Chinese), second-language speaking agent (English) and no agent. The results of this study are indicative of the importance of native language processing in the context of driving. The use of the participants’ native language resulted in improved driving performance and heightened situation awareness. The participants preferred the native language agent over the other conditions and also expressed the need to control the state of the in-vehicle agent. The study results and discussions have theoretical and practical design implications and are expected to help foster future work in this domain.

Rule-based process indicators of information processing explain performance differences in PIAAC web search tasks

BackgroundA priori assumptions about specific behavior in test items can be used to process log data in a rule-based fashion to identify the behavior of interest. In this study, we demonstrate such a top-down approach and created a process indicator to represent what type of information processing (flimsy, breadth-first, satisficing, sampling, laborious) adults exhibit when searching online for information. We examined how often the predefined patterns occurred for a particular task, how consistently they occurred within individuals, and whether they explained task success beyond individual background variables (age, educational attainment, gender) and information processing skills (reading and evaluation skills).MethodsWe analyzed the result and log file data of ten countries that participated in the Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC). The information processing behaviors were derived for two items that simulated a web search environment. Their explanatory value for task success was investigated with generalized linear mixed models.ResultsThe results showed item-specific differences in how frequently specific information processing patterns occurred, with a tendency of individuals not to settle on a single behavior across items. The patterns explained task success beyond reading and evaluation skills, with differences across items as to which patterns were most effective for solving a task correctly. The patterns even partially explained age-related differences.ConclusionsRule-based process indicators have their strengths and weaknesses. Although dependent on the clarity and precision of a predefined rule, they allow for a targeted examination of behaviors of interest and can potentially support educational intervention during a test session. Concerning adults’ digital competencies, our study suggests that the effective use of online information is not inherently based on demographic factors but mediated by central skills of lifelong learning and information processing strategies.

Pandemic Dining Dilemmas: Exploring the Determinants of Korean Consumer Dining-Out Behavior during COVID-19

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic’s significant impact on the dining-out industry, this study examined factors influencing consumers’ dining-out behavior changes using a unified theoretical framework based on the theory of planned behavior (TPB) and select components of the risk information seeking and processing (RISP) model. A quantitative research method was employed, analyzing 536 valid survey responses collected in South Korea in early 2021 using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). Findings showed that consumer attitude, perceived control, and subjective norm positively influenced dining-out intention, supporting the TPB. However, risk information-seeking behavior discourages dining-out behavior without significantly affecting intention. Fear emerged as a determinant of dining-out intention, risk information-seeking behavior, and dining-out behavior, highlighting the importance of emotions over rational thinking. This study contributes to existing literature by incorporating dining-out intention, COVID-19-related information-seeking behavior, and fear as key antecedents of dining-out behavior during the pandemic, while validating formative indicators that constitute risk information-seeking behavior and dining-out behavior in the research model.

Understanding Information Processing and Protective Behaviors during the Pandemic: A Three-Wave Longitudinal Study.

Few existing studies have examined information processing as an independent variable to predict subsequent information behaviors in a pandemic context, and the mechanism of subsequent information behavior processing following the initial or prior information behavior is unclear. Our study aims to apply the risk information seeking and processing model to explain the mechanism of subsequent systematic information processing in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. A three-wave longitudinal online national survey was administered during the period of July 2020 to September 2020. Path analysis was conducted to test the relationships between prior and subsequent systematic information processing and protective behaviors. One important finding was the key role of prior systematic information processing, as indirect hazard experience was found to be a direct predictor of risk perception (β = 0.15, p = 0.004) and an indirect predictor of protective behaviors. Another important finding was the central role of information insufficiency as a mediator/driving force in subsequent systematic information processing and protective behavior. The study has made important contributions in that it extends the scholarship on health information behaviors by (a) highlighting that relevant hazard experience in risk information seeking and processing model should be expanded to include indirect experience, and (b) providing the mechanism of subsequent systematic information processing following prior information processing. Our study also provides practical implications on health/risk communication and protective behaviors' promotion in the pandemic context.

Adding visual contextual information to continuous sonification feedback about low-reliability situations in conditionally automated driving: A driving simulator study

In conditionally automated driving, control transitions where drivers are asked to take over manual control quickly are a known challenge as drivers are likely “out-of-the-loop” due to automated driving. We previously demonstrated a useful sonification feedback design to support drivers for takeover events by manipulating background music to convey real-time changes in the automation reliability level. The present research examines two types of auxiliary information—explanations about the potential sources for reduced reliability and recommended actions to prepare for a potential takeover event—to communicate event-specific context about the low-reliability situations indicated by the sonification feedback. In a driving simulator with SAE level 3 automation, forty participants were assigned to one of four interface conditions: (i) sonification feedback only, (ii) sonification feedback and visual auxiliary information providing explanations, (iii) sonification feedback and visual auxiliary information providing action recommendations, or (iv) sonification feedback and both explanatory and action-recommending auxiliary information. Participants experienced six low-reliability events that belonged to three types of situations that may eventually lead to a takeover event: operational problems, system limitations, and unexpected events. Two events became system-requested takeover events. Our results showed that auxiliary information impacted visual information processing but not the takeover decisions or response times to takeover requests. The situation type—characterized by the availability of cues and presence of hazards in the environment—also played a significant role in both participants’ takeover decisions and visual information processing behaviors. These findings have implications for designing effective feedback for not only Level 3 automation, which we studied, but also for Level 4 dual-mode vehicles that could allow transitions to manual driving when exiting their operational design domains and for Level 2 automation, where drivers may need more support to monitor the road effectively and make more timely takeover decisions.

Arc-Expressing Accessory Olfactory Bulb Interneurons Support Chemosensory Social Behavioral Plasticity.

The accessory olfactory system (AOS) is critical for the development and expression of social behavior. The first dedicated circuit in the AOS, the accessory olfactory bulb (AOB), exhibits cellular and network plasticity in male and female mice after social experience. In the AOB, interneurons called internal granule cells (IGCs) express the plasticity-associated immediate-early gene Arc following intermale aggression or mating. Here, we sought to better understand how Arc-expressing IGCs shape AOB information processing and social behavior in the context of territorial aggression. We used "ArcTRAP" (Arc-CreERT2) transgenic mice to selectively and permanently label Arc-expressing IGCs following male-male resident-intruder interactions. Using whole-cell patch-clamp electrophysiology, we found that Arc-expressing IGCs display increased intrinsic excitability for several days after a single resident-intruder interaction. Further, we found that Arc-expressing IGCs maintain this increased excitability across repeated resident-intruder interactions, during which resident mice increase or "ramp" their aggression. We tested the hypothesis that Arc-expressing IGCs participate in ramping aggression. Using a combination of ArcTRAP mice and chemogenetics (Cre-dependent hM4D(Gi)-mCherry AAV injections), we found that disruption of Arc-expressing IGC activity during repeated resident-intruder interactions abolishes the ramping aggression exhibited by resident male mice. This work shows that Arc-expressing AOB IGC ensembles are activated by specific chemosensory environments, and play an integral role in the establishment and expression of sex-typical social behavior. These studies identify a population of plastic interneurons in an early chemosensory circuit that display physiological features consistent with simple memory formation, increasing our understanding of central chemosensory processing and mammalian social behavior.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT The accessory olfactory system plays a vital role in rodent chemosensory social behavior. We studied experience-dependent plasticity in the accessory olfactory bulb and found that internal granule cells expressing the immediate-early gene Arc after the resident-intruder paradigm increase their excitability for several days. We investigated the roles of these Arc-expressing internal granule cells on chemosensory social behavior by chemogenetically manipulating their excitability during repeated social interactions. We found that inhibiting these cells eliminated intermale aggressive ramping behavior. These studies identify a population of plastic interneurons in an early chemosensory circuit that display physiological features consistent with simple memory formation, increasing our understanding of central chemosensory processing and mammalian social behavior.

A review/survey paper on Nanobots in Medical Applications for kidney curing in humans

A review or survey on Nanobots in Medical Applications is presented in this paper. Nanorobotics is the science and technology of designing and manufacturing nanoscale machines, especially robotic machines. Nanorobots would constitute any “smart” structure capable of actuation, sensing, signaling, information processing, intelligence, manipulation and swarm behavior at nano scale (10-9m). More specifically, nanorobotics (as opposed to micro robotics) refers to the nanotechnology engineering discipline of designing and building nanorobots with devices ranging in size from 0.1 to 10 micrometers and constructed of nanoscale or molecular components. The first useful applications of nanomachines is in nanomedicine. The biological machines are used to identify and destroy cancer cells. The work given here is a project that is taken up as a part of the curriculum completed by electronics and communication engineering post-graduate student in the second year of the electronics & communication engineering department at Dayananda Sagar College of Engineering in Bangalore.

A review/survey paper on Nanobots in Medical Applications for cancer cures

A review or survey on Nanobots in Medical Applications is presented in this paper. Nanorobotics is the science and technology of designing and manufacturing nanoscale machines, especially robotic machines. Nanorobots would constitute any “smart” structure capable of actuation, sensing, signaling, information processing, intelligence, manipulation and swarm behavior at nano scale (10-9m). More specifically, nanorobotics (as opposed to micro robotics) refers to the nanotechnology engineering discipline of designing and building nanorobots with devices ranging in size from 0.1 to 10 micrometers and constructed of nanoscale or molecular components. The first useful applications of nanomachines is in nanomedicine. The biological machines are used to identify and destroy cancer cells. The work given here is a project that is taken up as a part of the curriculum completed by electronics and communication engineering post-graduate student in the second year of the electronics & communication engineering department at Dayananda Sagar College of Engineering in Bangalore.

Positive Emotion and Media Dependence: Measuring Risk Information Seeking and Perception in the COVID-19 Pandemic Prevention.

Risk perception and information seeking behaviors are affected by individual psychological and situational factors. In the background of COVID-19 prevailing for a long period, this study examined Chinese people's information seeking and processing behavior by the RISP model, which focused on the impact of individual risk perception, affective response, perceived information-gathering capacity, and media trust and the impact of the above factors on information seeking. This study designed an online survey with gender and age quotas among the Chinese population, including a total of 675 valid samples. It was found that the Chinese public's risk perception to pandemic had a positive effect on perceived information-gathering capacity and media trust. Furthermore, both positive emotional responses and negative emotional responses had a positive effect on information seeking behavior. Nurturing positive emotion engendered a holistic perception in pandemic information seeking. In addition, media trust, perceived information-gathering capacity, and subjective norms also positively impact information seeking behavior.

Reconstruct the Regulation Mode of Personal Information Processing Behavior of Large Internet Platforms

Reconstruct the Regulation Mode of Personal Information Processing Behavior of Large Internet Platforms

Utilization Pattern of Weather Based Agro-advisory Services among the Farmers of Nellore District of Andhra Pradesh

The success or failure of agricultural production is determined mainly by weather as it effect on every phase of crop growth, development and yield. Weather abnormalities during the crop season, would affect the crop growth and finally the quality and quantity of the yield. The advent of forecasting technologies and decision-making skills have not yet spread among small and marginal farmers who constitute major part of farming community in the country. Now a step further the Indian Council of agricultural Research (ICAR) and India Meteorological Department (IMD jointly planned to provide Agrometeorological Advisory Services (AAS) at block level in every district in both English and local language across the country for the benefit of farming community by setting up of District Agro-Meteorological Units (DAMUs) in the premises of KVKs to provide AAS to farmers. To understand the utilization pattern of the mobile AAS offered by the DAMU by the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Nellore, Andhra Pradesh a survey was conducted. Sample size of 150 respondents was selected by employing proportionate random sampling method. The survey was carried out in terms of dimensions viz., technology adoption, information processing behaviour, information storage behaviour and information sharing behaviour. Results of the survey showed that nearly two-third of the respondents adopted Pest management practices and harvesting time information disseminated through agromet advisory system. Medium level of information processing behaviour was seen among the 66% of respondents, 48% of the respondents have medium information storage behaviour and around three-fourth (74%) of the respondents have medium level of information sharing behaviour.

I Think I Should Get Vaccinated, I Feel I Should Not. Individual Differences in Information Processing and Vaccination Behavior (COVID-19).

Following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the scientific community responded promptly by developing effective vaccines. Still, even though effective vaccines against COVID-19 became available, many people did not seem to be in a rush to become immunized. Community protection can be enhanced if more people decide to vaccinate, and thus it is necessary to identify relevant factors involved in vaccination behavior to find better ways of encouraging it. Vaccination behavior is the result of a decision process that might vary according to individual differences in information processing. We investigated the role of cognitive reflection ability and thinking styles in predicting self-reported vaccination behavior against COVID-19. A sample of 274 Romanian participants was surveyed for the present study, out of which 217 (Mage = 24.58, SD = 8.31; 53% female) declared they had the possibility to become vaccinated. Results showed that a higher level of cognitive reflection ability significantly increased the odds of becoming vaccinated. A rational thinking style was not linked to vaccination behavior. However, an experiential thinking style indirectly predicted vaccination behavior by means of attitudes towards vaccination. Since individual differences in information processing are, to a certain extent, linked to vaccination behavior, the design of vaccination campaigns could consider that people have specific information needs and address them as such.