Preferences For Different Types Research Articles

Reward Bases: A simple mechanism for adaptive acquisition of multiple reward types.

Animals can adapt their preferences for different types of reward according to physiological state, such as hunger or thirst. To explain this ability, we employ a simple multi-objective reinforcement learning model that learns multiple values according to different reward dimensions such as food or water. We show that by weighting these learned values according to the current needs, behaviour may be flexibly adapted to present preferences. This model predicts that individual dopamine neurons should encode the errors associated with some reward dimensions more than with others. To provide a preliminary test of this prediction, we reanalysed a small dataset obtained from a single primate in an experiment which to our knowledge is the only published study where the responses of dopamine neurons to stimuli predicting distinct types of rewards were recorded. We observed that in addition to subjective economic value, dopamine neurons encode a gradient of reward dimensions; some neurons respond most to stimuli predicting food rewards while the others respond more to stimuli predicting fluids. We also proposed a possible implementation of the model in the basal ganglia network, and demonstrated how the striatal system can learn values in multiple dimensions, even when dopamine neurons encode mixtures of prediction error from different dimensions. Additionally, the model reproduces the instant generalisation to new physiological states seen in dopamine responses and in behaviour. Our results demonstrate how a simple neural circuit can flexibly guide behaviour according to animals' needs.

Leveling up on labels? Consumer preferences for firm‐level eco‐labels as substitutes for or complements to product‐level eco‐labels

AbstractEco‐labels can inform consumers about the environmental impact of their purchase decisions, but preferences for different types and combinations of labels—especially the under‐researched concept of firm‐level eco‐labels—are poorly understood. Furthermore, the effectiveness of displaying one versus more labels on products remains unclear, as does the impact of consumers' specific shopping goals and the availability of information about the labels' meaning. Relying on discrete choice experiments and with theory on consumers' attributions and goal pursuit as its starting point, this paper tackles the questions, “How do consumers respond to different types and combinations of eco‐labels, and how does information about the labels' meaning and specific shopping goals impact revealed label preferences?”. The results establish firm‐level eco‐labels as important supplements to or replacements for (some) product‐level eco‐labels and have implications for firms' decisions on which labels to feature on products as well as legislators' efforts to stimulate responsible consumption.

Orderly charging of electric vehicles: A two-stage spatial-temporal scheduling method based on user-personalized navigation

As electric vehicles (EVs) are cross-domain entities with dual attributes related to mobile loads and transportation, their travel modes and charging behaviors are stochastic and uncertain in time and space. Large-scale uncoordinated EV charging may cause problems such as the congestion of charging stations (CSs) and overloading of distribution networks (DNs). To address these challenges and the current research gap, and to optimize the spatial-temporal distribution of EV charging loads, a vehicle-road-network collaborative operation framework is constructed in this paper, and a two-stage spatial-temporal scheduling method for EV charging is proposed. In the first stage, real-time traffic and CSs information are introduced to improve Dijkstra's algorithm, and the value preferences of different types of users are considered to further improve the objective function of the algorithm as well. Thus, a dynamic personalized charging navigation model based on improved Dijkstra's algorithm is proposed to provide real-time guidance allowing users to choose their travel paths and CSs. In the second stage, we consider the charging demands of EV users and the operation status of the DN, and an orderly charging model is established to minimize the peak/valley load difference of the DN. Through comprehensive comparisons of experimental results, the variance in the average utilization rates of CSs and the peak valley difference for the DN are reduced by 80.77 % and 16.91 %, respectively. In addition, the time and economic costs of users can be reduced by 9 min and 7.9 RMB, respectively, thereby reducing travel and toll costs and increasing their willingness to participate in scheduling. The simulation experiment proves that the proposed method achieves multi-agent collaborative optimization of EV users, CSs, and DN.

Beliefs that predict support for needs-based disaster aid distribution

Disaster aid distribution in the U.S. worsens social inequities. Public demand to incorporate needs or social vulnerability into disaster aid policy could lead to more equitable disaster recovery. In two studies (N = 664) we examined what predicts preferences for needs-based disaster aid (Study 1) and then tested whether we could increase support for this kind of policy (Study 2). In Study 1, we asked participants to rate disaster aid distribution policies and report on beliefs that previous research suggests would relate to policy preferences. Social Dominance Orientation and Conservatism predicted less support for needs-based aid. People who did not endorse common disaster myths (e.g., that crime rates increase after a disaster), and who saw climate change or wealth distribution as causes of disaster harm supported needs-based aid. In Study 2, we developed messages targeting these three beliefs and compared them to a control message. While our intervention did not influence support for needs-based aid, it did shift the targeted beliefs, which were again positively associated with support for needs-based aid. Findings from Study 2 also shed light on participants’ own reasoning behind their preferences, which may prove useful for policy design and framing as well. Our studies highlight beliefs and other factors that relate to preferences for different types of disaster aid and provide an entry point for future equity efforts in disaster recovery.

Insights into artificial waterhole utilization patterns by elephants and rhinos: Lessons from a South African Nature Reserve.

Artificial water provisioning is a common practice in southern African nature reserves, where different game species exhibit preferences for specific waterhole types. The movement patterns and behaviour of elephants and rhinos are closely linked to water availability, with these mega-herbivores noticeably influencing the environment and other species they interact with at waterholes. Since there is limited research on this topic, understanding preferences for different types of artificial waterholes is crucial, particularly during periods of water scarcity. This knowledge enables reserve managers to effectively manage the numbers and types of waterholes. In this study, we investigate artificial waterhole selection and preferences by elephants and rhinos in the Olifants West Nature Reserve, South Africa. The study area featured various waterhole types, including earth dams, concrete pans, reservoirs, and troughs. By employing camera traps, we analysed visitation frequency, timing of visits, and factors influencing visit frequency. Our findings revealed distinct preferences for specific waterhole types among different social groupings of the study species. Breeding herds of elephants predominantly utilized reservoirs and occasionally visited troughs, while bachelor herds favoured earth dams. Black rhinos showed a preference for earth dams, whereas white rhinos selected troughs and earth dams, with bachelor groups favouring troughs and female rhinos favouring earth dams. The outcomes of this study have significant implications for the development of comprehensive conservation plans in areas where these species reside, and for potential release sites.

Preferences of Lithuanian cybersecurity synonymous terms in different user groups

Cybersecurity is a rapidly developing domain, where emerging new concepts are usually first designated in English and then find their way into the usage of other languages. As the Lithuanian terminology in this domain develops, different types of synonymous terms appear in usage, which are treated differently by speakers. The article presents a terminology survey involving 593 respondents from various age groups, from different regions and expertise levels. In the survey, the respondents had to name the most suitable terms for 10 cybersecurity concepts: the respondents could choose the terms proposed in the questionnaire or they could propose their own terms and give the reasons why they made their choices. The concepts and their terminological designations were selected from the Lithuanian-English Cybersecurity Termbase, the dataset of which is based on bilingual parallel and comparable cybersecurity corpora. The quantitative and qualitative analysis of survey results reveals preferences for different types of terms, such as borrowings, metaphorical calques, and descriptive terms, and how these preferences differ across the two segments of respondents: students vs. graduates, and cybersecurity experts vs. general public. The results show that some terminological designations have been already established in the Lithuanian language, while most of them are still competing for their positions. The analysis of the reasons reveals that accuracy and clarity are the main factors for selecting a term. The research contributes to the standardisation of cybersecurity terms in Lithuania and provides insights into user preferences and the reasons behind them.

Past behaviour intentions, present normative beliefs, and future customer loyalty

AbstractTourists are often motivated by a desire to reduce their impact on the environment and support local communities. By understanding the motivations and preferences of different types of tourists, destinations can tailor their offerings to attract and retain a diverse range of visitors. This study aims to determine if tourists who are attracted to the natural environment in a destination are more likely to engage in sustainable behaviors. It also explores whether easy access to information on sustainability influences decision‐making when traveling. The article raises the question of whether post‐pandemic tourists seek sustainable destinations due to both internal motivations and external influences. This article examines the convergence of pull‐push tourist motivations in sustainable destination preferences post‐pandemic. Using data from 12,101 Eurobarometer 2021 respondents from the TOP 12 countries with high pro‐environmental attitudes, the study found a confirmation of sustainable behaviors among European citizens. Future research directions and limitations are discussed.

How college clubs affect freshmen’s development?

This study investigates the influence of college clubs on the personal development of freshmen at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen. Utilizing a survey methodology, the research examines freshmen's preferences for different types of clubs and the subsequent impacts on their academic performance, social skills, and career aspirations. Findings indicate that participation in college clubs enhances social competencies, provides a platform for leadership and teamwork skills development, and enriches students' extracurricular lives, potentially influencing their career perspectives. The study highlights the significant role college clubs play in fostering an environment that supports the holistic development of freshmen, encouraging active engagement and personal growth within the university setting.

Eliminating biased selections during concurrent‐chains schedules: A discovery research example

AbstractWhen an individual has limited language, concurrent‐chains schedules offer an objective means of assessing preference among behavior‐change procedures so that recipients can be incorporated into the treatment selection process. We initially attempted to use a concurrent‐chains schedule to assess children's preference for different types of token systems. However, upon observing children engaging in patterned selections, we evaluated procedures for eliminating biased selections. This was done using simple and salient terminal‐link arrangements with seven children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. For five of seven children, manipulating the number of successive forced‐choice trials to the reinforcement link was sufficient to produce discriminated responding. Removing the academic task in the terminal link was necessary for two children. For all participants, discriminated responding maintained when the initial exposure arrangement was reinstated. Results are discussed regarding the potential effects of a history of errorless teaching biasing selections during concurrent‐chains schedules.

Personality characteristics, preferences for rewards and the propensity to choose an auditing job

PurposeThis study investigates theoretical relationships among personality characteristics, preferences for different types of rewards and the propensity to choose a job in auditing by management-related higher education students. Specifically, the authors consider motivation, locus of control (internal and external) and self-efficacy (SE) as personality characteristics and financial, extrinsic, support and intrinsic as types of rewards.Design/methodology/approachData were collected through a questionnaire targeted at management-related higher education students in Portugal. Partial least squares structural equation modelling was used to analyse the data.FindingsThe full sample results show that different types of motivation, locus of control and SE are related to different reward preferences. The authors also find a positive association between a preference for extrinsic rewards and the propensity to choose a job in auditing. Moreover, when the authors consider the role of working experience in the model, the authors find that the reward preferences that drive the choice of an auditing job differ according to that experience.Originality/valueThis study enriches the literature by assessing preferences for different types of rewards, considering multiple personality characteristics and a comprehensive set of rewards. Furthermore, the authors identify the reward preferences that drive the choice of an auditing career. This knowledge empowers auditing firms to devise recruitment strategies that resonate with candidates’ preferences, which boosts the capacity of these companies to attract new auditors.

Consumer preference for sustainability labels in the context of China

Sustainability Label (SL) have emerged as an important product attribute in recent decades, and have evolved into various types as products with social, environmental, and economic benefits have become more prevalent in the marketplace. With the information of SL in products, consumers are encouraged to embrace environmental sustainability principles and to make environmentally sustainable choices and actions. SL helps alignment between consumers and the industry by enhancing consumers’ nderstanding of company’s act, and serve as an effective marketing message. However, there is limited research on consumer preferences for different types of sustainable labels or benefits. This study addresses this knowledge gap by applying choice experiment method to assess consumers’ choice behavior for products associated with various SL. Choice experiment designs are separately developed for two most relevant sustainable products (i.e. soymilk and EV) in China. A stated preference method (SPM) consumer survey was conducted in 2022 across six major cities in China, namely Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Chengdu, and Xi’an, and a total of 840 valid responses were collected for assessing multinomial logit (MNL) model. Findings show that Chinese consumers prefer SL with environmental benefits, foreign COO/Brand in consuming soymilk, and prefer SL with employee friendliness, domestic COO/Brand for Electric Vehicle (EV). These findings provide insights for marketers and researchers Chinese consumers’ preference for specific SL and brand for two selected product categories.

Tickle fetishism: pleasure beyond playfulness.

Tickling is commonly perceived as juvenile play associated with laughter. However, its potential connection to adult sexual behavior has largely remained unexplored. Our online survey, primarily distributed among individuals interested in tickle fetishism, explored tickling and its association with sexual behavior. Ticklishness types, tools, preferred body parts, and partner preferences, were examined. Results revealed diverse patterns of ticklishness changes over time and distinct body-part preferences for different types of tickling. Childhood experiences and exposure to tickling content in television were found to shape individuals' affinity for tickle fetishism. A quarter of respondents reported experiencing orgasms exclusively from tickling, while around 88% expressed sexual satisfaction through tickling alone, indicating its sufficiency as a sexual stimulus among fetishists. Tickling desire decreased after orgasm, indicating an association between tickling and sexual activity. Moreover, ticklishness degree predicted preferences for being tickled rather than tickling others. Exploratory factor analysis identified three factors underlying tickling and sexual experiences: enjoyment and frequency of tickling during sexual activity; preference for intense sexual experiences; age of becoming sexually active. In conclusion, this study provides unique insights into tickling and its connections to sexual context, enhancing our understanding of diverse human sexual behavior and tickle fetishism as a distinct preference.

Urban greenspace for social integration: Which types of greenspace do new-Swedes prefer and why?

Urban greenspace (UGS) is a key public resource offering a broad range of nature-based solutions and is increasingly looked to as a potential arena to promote social integration in Europe’s increasingly multicultural urban and peri-urban areas. However, relatively little research has explored the preferences and perceptions of immigrants in relation to UGS, especially in European contexts. Without such knowledge, planners risk entrenching planning structures that inadvertently result in segregation and environmental injustice. Using survey and participatory mapping methods with 261 immigrants in eight sampled settlements across Sweden, this study explores which types of UGS foreign-born immigrants in Sweden (i.e., new-Swedes) prefer and why. We found that new-Swedes are frequent users of a wide spectrum of UGS types, with the most preferred types including forests, large parks and lakes. The majority of respondents were satisfied with the quality (73%), availability (68%) and accessibility (76%) of UGS in their hometowns. Our regression analysis identified 51 key factors that had a meaningful effect on preferences for different types of UGS. Key factors were distributed relatively evenly across blocks of predictor variables concerning characteristics of UGS, socio-demographic factors, activity preferences, and perceptions. Our results indicate that new-Swedes’ UGS preferences are broadly comparable with those of the general population in Sweden. We found little evidence to suggest that ethnocultural factors played a major role in the preferences of our respondents. Furthermore, our results suggest that nature-connectedness might be an important determinant of new-Swedes’ UGS preferences. Based on these findings, we highlight several opportunities to further develop UGS strategies to support different dimensions of social integration, e.g., using popular UGS as interactive spaces for cultural learning, as a platform for intercultural contacts and for maintaining cultural traditions, and to contribute towards a greater sense of social membership in their new country. A crucial implication of our study is that the use of UGS to support social integration may further contribute to the increasing complexity of the UGS planning and management challenge. This implies the need for a systems perspective in UGS research, policy-making, planning and management to consider UGS as part of an integrated urban social-ecological system and to coordinate measures across sectors.

Effects of using audience response systems (Kahoot and Google Forms and Sheets) on learning of medical students in a large class: A questionnaire-based retrospective study

AbstractThe effectiveness of implementing various audience response system (ARS) formats in large classes to engage students, positively influence academic outcomes, and align with their preferences for different types of activities lacked sufficient information. This study aimed to (1) evaluate students’ perspectives on different ARS formats, including Kahoot for individual (Kahoot-I) and team (Kahoot-T) play, and Google Forms and Google Sheets for multiple-choice questions (Google-MCQ) and for open-ended questions (Google-OEQ) on different aspects with/without subgroup analysis of students into quartiles (Q1-lowest-Q4-highest) of summative scores, and (2) determine correlations between students’ perspectives and academic outcomes. At the course’s final class, a QR code for a 5-point Likert scale questionnaire was displayed for all enrolled medical students. 269/312 students (86.22%) provided written consent and completed the questionnaire constructed based on dimensions of student engagement. Across all ARS formats, students rated scores ≥ 4 for almost all aspects, with participation in class receiving the highest scores. For each aspect, Kahoot-T was rated highest in various aspects and Google-MCQ for “understanding” and Google-OEQ for “asking/answering question”. Higher academic achievers expressed more “enthusiasm” for Kahoot-I than lower achievers (P < 0.05). Formative and summative scores were positively correlated with many aspects. Students reported high engagement with all ARS formats, with higher academic achievers rating them with higher scores. Kahoot-T was the most favored for multiple aspects, Google-MCQ for “understanding” and Google-OEQ for interactive “asking/answering question”. Thus, selecting ARS in alignment with learning objective could enhance students’ engagement and learning outcomes.

Do Men Care about Childcare? Women’s Relative Resources and Men’s Preferences for Work–Family Reconciliation Policies

Abstract Existing literature on the politics of work–family reconciliation policies focuses primarily on women and their policy preferences as the main driver of recent policy expansions. But what do we know about male preferences? This article explores this question in an innovative way by integrating insights from economic and sociological studies of division of labor and bargaining within the household. It investigates the link between women’s relative resources within the household and their male partners’ preferences for different types of reconciliation policies. Drawing on regression analysis of nineteen OECD countries using the International Social Survey Program data (Family and Changing Gender Roles IV), we find that: (1) men in dual-earner households, men in college-educated educational homogamy, and men in educational hypogamy (the woman is better educated) are more likely to support reconciliation policies; and (2) women’s earnings and education have different effects on men’s preferences.

Who Gets Hired? Political Patronage and Bureaucratic Favoritism

Most research on biased public sector hiring highlights local politicians’ incentives to distribute government positions to partisan supporters. Other studies instead point to the role of bureaucratic managers in allocating government jobs to close contacts. We jointly consider the relative importance of each source of biased hiring as an allocation problem between managers and politicians who have different preferences regarding public sector hiring and different abilities to realize those preferences. We develop a theoretical model of each actor’s relative leverage and relative preferences for different types of public sector positions. We empirically examine our theory using the universe of payroll data in Kenyan local governments from 2004 to 2013. We find evidence of both patronage and bureaucratic favoritism, but with different types of bias concentrated in different types of government jobs, as our theory predicts. Our results highlight the inadequacy of examining political patronage alone without incorporating the preferences and leverage of the bureaucratic managers who are intricately involved in hiring processes.

Development of an electronic food ordering system and a la carte menu: Enhancing patient involvement in nutritional care

BackgroundMalnutrition is a significant issue in hospitals, leading to weight loss and reduced quality of life for patients. Hospital food plays a crucial role in preventing malnutrition, especially for patients with high nutritional risk or malnourishment. However, barriers to providing adequate nutritional care include a lack of tools to record patients' nutritional intake and a limited understanding of energy and protein content in hospital menus. ObjectiveThe study aimed to develop an electronic patient-centered food ordering system and an à la carte menu to improve patients' nutritional care and involvement in their dietary choices. MethodsThe study was conducted in two parts. Part 1 involved a questionnaire survey among hospitalized patients to determine their food preferences, self-assessed ability to use an electronic food ordering system, and preferences for different types of cuisine. The survey also investigated patients' meal choices for a full day, including portion sizes. Part 2 comprised usability tests of the electronic food ordering system prototype, conducted on hospitalized patients to identify interface issues and assess overall satisfaction. ResultsA total of 99 patients participated in the questionnaire survey. The majority (78.7%) found the selection of dishes appropriate. Patients' preferences were used to adjust the à la carte menu to reflect their meal choices. In the usability tests, the electronic food ordering system prototype showed positive results, and the System Usability Score was above the threshold for minor adjustments. ConclusionThe study successfully developed an electronic patient-centered food ordering system and an à la carte menu that aligned with patients' preferences and needs. The system demonstrated usability and potential to improve patients' nutritional care and involvement in their dietary decisions. By addressing the barriers to nutritional care, this system offers a feasible solution to prevent and treat malnutrition in hospitalized patients.

Health involvement modulates physician preference in the brain during online health consultation

In traditional offline health-seeking behavior, patients consistently exhibit a preference for similar types of physicians due to limited access to physicians’ information. Nevertheless, with the advent of online health consultation platforms offering comprehensive physicians’ information for patients, raises the question: do patients continue to exhibit uniform preference for physicians? To address this issue, we first employed a behavioral experiment to discern patients’ preferences for different types of physicians’ information under different health involvement, and then conducted a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) experiment to furnish neural/physiological evidence. The results showed that health involvement modulates patients’ preferences, when health involvement was low, patients had diverse preferences for physicians, that is, different types of physicians’ information could individually impact patients’ choice and could serve as substitutes for each other. When health involvement was high, patients’ preference for physicians were uniform, highlighting that the collective influence of different types of physicians’ information on patients’ choice behavior. From the neural level, an explanation for the results was that the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (VMPFC) and ventral striatum (VS) brain regions, two key brain regions reflecting individual cognitive resource allocation, had different activation levels under different health involvement, indicating that patients allocated different cognitive resources.

Mediators and moderators of the effects of a school-based intervention on adolescents' fruit and vegetable consumption: the HEIA study.

To examine whether targeted determinants mediated the effects of the HEalth In Adolescents (HEIA) intervention on fruit and vegetable (FV) consumption and explore if these mediating effects were moderated by sex, parental education or weight status. Cluster-randomised controlled trial. The HEIA study (2007-2009) was a Norwegian 20-month multi-component school-based intervention to promote healthy weight development. FV consumption and targeted determinants were self-reported at baseline, mid-way (8 months) and post-intervention (20 months). Adolescents (11-13-year-old) in twenty-five control schools (n 746) and twelve intervention schools (n 375). At post-intervention, more adolescents in the intervention group compared with the control group had knowledge of the FV recommendations (OR: 1·4, 95 % CI 1·1, 1·9) and reported a decreased availability of vegetables at home (β: -0·1, 95 % CI -0·2, 0·0). Availability/accessibility of FV at home, availability of vegetables at dinner, taste preferences for different types of FV and knowledge of the FV recommendations were positively associated with the consumption of FV. However, none of the post-intervention determinants significantly mediated the intervention effects on FV consumption. Although no moderating influences by sex, parental education or weights status were observed on the mediating effects, exploratory analyses revealed significant moderations in the b-paths. Since none of the targeted determinants could explain the increase in FV consumption, it remains unclear why the intervention was effective. Reporting on a wide range of mediators and moderators in school-based interventions is needed to reveal the pathways through which intervention effects are achieved.

The Perception of Stakeholders on the Forest Ecosystem Services: National Parks in China and Canada

The stakeholders’ perceptions of forest ecosystem services (FESs) vary among different stakeholder groups. This study, using China’s Shennongjia National Park Pilot (SNP) and Canada’s Banff National Park (BNP) as case studies, identifies and evaluates the preference characteristics of key stakeholders (including farmers, individual operators, government officials, and tourists) toward various FESs. We utilized Q-methodology and semistructured interviews to conduct a sorting of 23 Q-statements regarding FESs, across 7 categories (ranging from −3 to +3), with 24 Q-participants. Stakeholders’ preferences toward FESs were categorized into 3 common perspectives: tourism and culture, production and livelihood, and ecological conservation. Different types of stakeholders hold both consensus and divergence regarding their views on FESs. For instance, there was strong consensus on services related to “natural ecotourism and biodiversity conservation”, while stakeholders expressed strong opposition regarding services related to “forest protection”. Furthermore, stakeholders elucidated the reasons behind their preferences for different types of FESs. Overall, our study indicates that besides considering the services provided by forests themselves, policymakers also need to pay attention to the preferences and divergences in needs among stakeholders of national parks. This ensures a more comprehensive fulfillment of diverse societal needs and facilitates the formulation of more effective policies to promote the sustainable management and conservation of national parks.