Behavioral Research Research Articles

Predicting high variability in imageability ratings across age groups and its influence on visual word recognition.

Imageability, an important word characteristic in the psycholinguistic literature, is typically assessed by asking participants to estimate the ease with which a word can evoke a mental image. Our aim was to explore inter-rater disagreement in normative imageability ratings. We examined the predictors of variability around average imageability ratings for young, middle-aged and older adults (Study 1) and assessed its impact on visual word recognition performance in young adults (Study 2). Analyses of French age-related imageability ratings (Ballot et al., Behavior Research Methods, 54, 196-215, 2022) revealed that inter-rater disagreement around the average imageability value was critically high for most words within the imageability norms, thus questioning the construct validity of the average rating for the most variable items. Variability in ratings changed between age groups (18-25, 26-40, 41-59, and over 60 years) and was associated with words that are longer, less frequent, learnt later in life and less emotional (Study 1). To examine the consequences of elevated standard deviations around the average imageability rating on visual word recognition, we entered this factor in a hierarchical regression alongside classic lexico-semantic predictors. The effect of word-imageability on young adults' lexical decision times (Ferrand et al., Behavior Research Methods, 50, 1285-1307, 2018) remained significant after accounting for inter-rater disagreement in imageability ratings, even when considering the least consensual words (Study 2). We conclude that imageability ratings reliably predict visual word recognition performance in young adults for large datasets, but might require caution for smaller ones. Given imageability rating differences across adulthood, further research investigating age-related differences in language processing is necessary.

Welfare paternalism and objections from equality

ABSTRACT Informed by behavioral science research, recent defenses of paternalism point to people’s need for help in making and carrying out good decisions. Authors in this literature typically focus on defending paternalist policies against objections that frame them as threats to autonomy. But they often neglect a second category of objections to paternalism. Paternalism expresses disrespect not only for the target’s autonomy but also for her equal status. I argue that this second kind of wrong is more independent of autonomy-based objections than has been recognized. Therefore, we need to evaluate paternalism in two dimensions, rather than treating egalitarian objections as a mere supplement to autonomy concerns. This allows us to see why welfare paternalism can be objectionable even when choices are not significantly constrained or when the choices at stake are relatively trivial. The barrier to justifiable welfare paternalist policies has less to do with the specific techniques of influence adopted than with their asymmetrical distribution and the inegalitarian structures through which they are delivered.

Low-Cost Approaches in Neuroscience to Teach Machine Learning Using a Cockroach Model.

In an effort to increase access to neuroscience education in underserved communities, we created an educational program that utilizes a simple task to measure place preference of the cockroach (Gromphadorhina portentosa) and the open-source free software, SLEAP Estimates Animal Pose (SLEAP) to quantify behavior. Cockroaches (n = 18) were trained to explore a linear track for 2 min while exposed to either air, vapor, or vapor with nicotine from a port on one side of the linear track over 14 d. The time the animal took to reach the port was measured, along with distance traveled, time spent in each zone, and velocity. As characterizing behavior is challenging and inaccessible for nonexperts new to behavioral research, we created an educational program using the machine learning algorithm, SLEAP, and cloud-based (i.e., Google Colab) low-cost platforms for data analysis. We found that SLEAP was within a 0.5% margin of error when compared with manually scoring the data. Cockroaches were found to have an increased aversive response to vapor alone compared with those that only received air. Using SLEAP, we demonstrate that the x-y coordinate data can be further classified into behavior using dimensionality-reducing clustering methods. This suggests that the linear track can be used to examine nicotine preference for the cockroach, and SLEAP can provide a fast, efficient way to analyze animal behavior. Moreover, this educational program is available for free for students to learn a complex machine learning algorithm without expensive hardware to study animal behavior.Significance Statement This method demonstrates a novel utilization of machine learning using free cloud-based programming to analyze cockroach behavior in a linear track. This educational program can be implemented in the classroom as a low-cost tool to teach neuroscience and machine learning. Further, implementing these computational tools allows students to explore important questions in behavioral neuroscience, such as learning and memory, drug seeking, and exploratory locomotor behavior.

The Role of Psychological Capital on Climate Change Adaptation Among Smallholder Farmers in the uMkhanyakude District of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Climate change and variability pose a challenge to the livelihoods of smallholder farmers. Previous studies on climate change in the context of smallholder farming have mainly focused on the influence of socio-economic factors in understanding farmers’ responses to climate change. However, little is known about the effect of psychological capital on climate change adaptation. There are calls for better empirical models and transdisciplinary approaches to understand the underlying drivers of climate change adaptation in smallholder farming systems. This study draws from behavioural decision research to assess psychological factors influencing climate change adaptation in the uMkhanyakude district of KwaZulu-Natal. This study adopted the Theory of Planned Behaviour to understand the effect of psychological capital on climate change adaptation. Data were collected from a sample of 400 smallholder farmers who were randomly selected from the uMkhanyakude district. Survey data were analysed using a multivariate probit regression model. The results of the multivariate probit regression model indicated that psychological capital (attitudes towards climate change, subjective norms, and trust) played an important role in influencing climate change adaptation. Climate change adaptation is also influenced by the gender of the farmer, education level, household size, and Tropical Livestock Units. These findings underscore the role of psychological capital in shaping climate change adaptation. This study recommends using transdisciplinary approaches (i.e., combining economics and psychology) in evaluating farmers’ responses to climate change.

The Application Progress of Optogenetics in Neuroscience and Behavioral Studies

Optogenetics, as an emerging interdisciplinary technology, has enabled the precise manipulation of neuronal activity by combining optical and genetic approaches. This paper summarizes the application of optogenetics in neuroscience and behavioral research and introduces its research background and topics. The application of optogenetics in neuronal activity regulation, neural loop resolution, exploration of learning and memory mechanisms, and treating neurological diseases were focused on. By combining a literature review and case analysis, we analyze the core principles of optogenetics and the technical points of optogenetics and demonstrate their potential applications in different research scenarios. The types and properties of photosensitive proteins and their application strategies in experiments are detailed, demonstrating the unique advantages of optogenetics in revealing the mysteries of neurobiological processes. The results show that optogenetic technology provides a powerful tool to reveal the mysteries of neurobiological processes, but it still faces challenges such as light transmission efficiency and gene delivery safety in practical applications. This paper summarizes the advantages and limitations of optogenetics and prospects for its future direction, providing an important reference for the continuous development of neuroscience and behavioral research.

Neuroeffects of Microwave EMF Range of Non-Thermal Intensity and Short Exposure

The article presents a generalization and analysis of the results of many years of research by the author of the neuroeffects of weak electromagnetic effects in order to answer the questions: do they exist, what are their phenomenology, neurophysiological mechanism, ways of modification? Using electrophysiological and behavioral research methods, the line of effects of weak EMF from the neuron to the brain, the central nervous system (as a system) and the body is shown. In animal experiments and studies with the participation of volunteer testers, their phenomenology, dependence on parameters, modulation mode, and EMF organization are statistically substantiated. As a result, it is concluded that this is a common stimulus of the central nervous system, which in its influence on the body obeys the laws of physiology about the biological significance of the response, ways of its modification and adaptation mechanisms, which is advisable to take into account.

Mechanical Behavior Research on IHB-CFRP Anchorage Scheme to Reinforce the Flexural Performance of Concrete Beams

This article investigates the use of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) plates with additional anchors to enhance reinforced concrete slab beam structure. A test proposes an improved additional anchorage measure to solve the debonding problem during anchoring. Three point bending load test are carried out to analyze the influence of different anchoring positions on the reinforcement effect. An optimized Improved Hybrid Bonding CFRP (IHB-CFRP) additional anchoring measure is given. The shear friction model proposed in the IHB-CFRP anchoring scheme can simulate the additional adhesion resistance well. The article investigates the concrete crack extension, load–deflection relation, the strain distribution of CFRP plate, CFRP and concrete interface shear stress. It can be seen that the IHB-CFRP anchoring scheme improves the interface bonding ability and bearing capacity of the reinforced specimen.

Enhancing pro-environmental behavior through nature-contact environmental education: an empirical analysis based on randomized controlled experiment design

Environmental education is vital for promoting pro-environmental behavior, and nature-contact environmental education has progressively emerged as an important form of environmental education. Therefore, exploring the effects and mechanisms of nature-contact environmental education is crucial to enhancing pro-environmental behavior. This manuscript focuses on the Qinling ecological environmental education course at a Chinese university, which exemplifies a form of nature-contact environmental education. The research employs the randomized controlled experimental design as the research methodology. A total of 112 students who participated in the course served as the study sample, with the aim of investigating whether nature-contact environmental education can effectively improve students’ pro-environmental behavior. Additionally, the study also explores the underlying mechanisms driving this effect. The findings indicate that nature-contact environmental education significantly contributes to improving students’ pro-environmental behavior. Furthermore, environmental attitudes and environmental responsibility are identified as key mediators in the relationship between nature-contact environmental education and pro-environmental behavior. These conclusions provide valuable insights for both theoretical research and practical applications of environmental education and pro-environmental behavior.

Diary- and actigraphy-estimated nighttime sleep during the perinatal period: A multimethod study.

Accurate estimation of perinatal sleep is important for informing future research and multigenerational health interventions. We compared diary- and actigraphy-estimated sleep parameters during pregnancy and postpartum. We informed our interpretation of these analyses with participants' feedback about these sleep estimation methods. This preregistered study ( https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/UZFRD ) included 92 English-speaking, women-identified birthing parents who completed sleep diaries and wore wrist actigraphs for 7days during the 3rd trimester of pregnancy, 6weeks postpartum, and 16weeks postpartum. Sleep parameters included total sleep time (TST), sleep efficiency (SE), sleep onset latency (SOL), and wake after sleep onset (WASO). Multilevel models tested associations between diary and actigraphic sleep over time. Results indicated that diary and actigraphic sleep parameters were significantly associated over time, although actigraphic TST, SE, and SOL tended to be lower-and WASO longer-than diary estimations. WASO estimations were significantly more discrepant during 6weeks postpartum than during the 3rd trimester or 16weeks postpartum. Using conventional content analysis, three primary themes emerged from participants' feedback about sleep diaries and wrist actigraphs that enriched our interpretation of multilevel model results: (1) Wearability, (2) Functionality/Ease of Use, and (3) Measurement Accuracy. This study was the first to implement a multimethod design supplemented by qualitative data to investigate not only the association between diary and actigraphic perinatal sleep, but what it is like for birthing parents to engage with these sleep estimation methods. This study has important implications for behavioral medicine research and practice with perinatal populations.

Driving Behaviour Research for Autonomous Vehicle Interaction Design: A Comprehensive Review and Future Directions

Despite the crucial role of driving behaviour research in shaping autonomous vehicle interaction design, the current state of their deep integration remains unexplored, constraining the design innovative of autonomous vehicle. This study conducted a systematic review by analysing 320 publications from 2003 to 2023 following PRISMA guidelines. Initially, the research evolution trajectory was depicted through performance analysis, followed by exploring dynamic research themes using scientific mapping. The results reveal the pivotal role of driving behaviour research in fostering innovative practices within autonomous vehicle interaction design and the evolution of thematic content. Three future directions are identified: behaviour insights of diverse interactive entities, all-in-one design solutions, and mixed-reality design evaluation tools. These findings provide practical guidance for utilizing driving behaviour research to foster innovation in AV interaction design, thereby accelerating the socialization of AVs and the transformation towards intelligent mobility.

Extending Social Entrepreneurial Behaviour Research through the Integrated Theory of Sociopreneurial Behaviour: a Systematic Literature Review

Results from prior meta-analyses and systematic literature reviews (SLR) on the formation of Social entrepreneurial behaviour (SEB) have been focusing on the antecedents of social entrepreneurial intention (SEI). However, the impact of the behaviour on welfare and social improvement is essential to distinguish social entrepreneurs from commercial entrepreneurs. Therefore, this article aims to extend the SLR beyond SEI to include any articles related to the formation and impact of SEB. This SLR is carried out in 4 phases. An extensive search in phase 1 has resulted in 332 articles being collected. Filtration in phase 2 resulted in 50 SEI and five SEB articles left for analysis. Descriptive analysis in phase 3 retrieved pertinent general information, such as SEI and SEB research trends, while thematic analysis revealed five theories, six models, and 50 psychological predictors. In phase 4, a systematic researchable framework is synthesised, which is explainable by a proposed theory called the Integrated Theory of Sociopreneurial Behaviour (ITSB). This framework may encourage researchers to identify and verify various external factors that prospectively reinforce or prevent the process of converting SEI into SEB. Besides, the model may suggest more attempts to validate the impact of SEB on the community and sociopreneurs.

Research on the impact of employee AI identity on employee proactive behavior in AI workplace

PurposeThe purpose of our research is to explore the role of employee AI identity in influencing employee proactive behavior and its boundary conditions in AI workplace.Design/methodology/approachBased on the IT identity theory and motivation theory, our research discusses the effects of employee AI identity on employee proactive behavior and regarded the proactive work intention as a mediating variable. Meanwhile, we considered organization inducement as a boundary condition and discussed the moderating effects of it and its two sub-dimensions (development rewards and material rewards). Data were collected from 326 employees and partial least squares structural equation modeling was used to analyzed and draw the conclusions.FindingsFindings showed that employee AI identity significantly affects employee proactive behavior, in which the proactive work intention play a mediating role. Moreover, three subdimensions (relatedness, emotional energy, dependence) of employee AI identity have different effects on formation of employee AI identity. And organization inducement acts as a positive moderating role, development rewards and material rewards play different roles in the formation of organization inducements.Originality/valueOur research explores the different paths that influence employee proactive behavior and their boundary moderation, while analyzing the results of these influences in different subdimensions, deepening the research on employee AI identity and organization inducement. Our research is conducive to the development of the identity theory and organizational behavior research and provide suggestions for managers to improve their organizational management level.

New advances in the enhancement of direct mercury speciation in solid matter on the example of HgCl, CH3HgCl, HgS and HgSO4 using programmable thermal release in combination with elecrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry

Mercury is considering as hazardous pollutant presented as a number of various species characterized by different migration routes, bioavailability and toxicity. In this regard, the characterization of natural and a fortiori anthropogenic environment by the concentration of various chemical forms of mercury is relevant to assess the degree of its impact on living organisms. From this point of view, solid samples are the most problematic ones due to the need for preliminary extraction of analytes into solution. The promising approach for this purpose is analysis based on a combination of thermal release as separation way with sequential electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometric detection (TR-ETA-AAS). The present work is based on research of the thermal behavior of individual mercury species in argon atmosphere when the evaporation and atomization zones are separated and a programmable heating algorithm is implemented. To unify an analytical procedure the dilution of reference and analyzed samples with aluminum oxide was applied. The developed method allows determination of the species most often found in natural and contaminated environments: mercury (II) chloride, methylmercury chloride, mercury sulfide and sulphate at the level of 0.003–0.030 µg with a reproducibility of 10–25 %,. The trueness of the proposed approach has been confirmed using certified reference material ERM CE464 and spiking method.

Enhancing Adherence to Health Behaviors Research: Reflections on Current Methods and Future Directions [Response to Letter

Enhancing Adherence to Health Behaviors Research: Reflections on Current Methods and Future Directions [Response to Letter

Turning Down a Job Offer Professionally: Maintaining Positive Relationships for Future Opportunities

This article provides research-backed guidance on how to effectively decline a job offer while preserving professional relationships and future opportunities. It emphasizes the importance of interpersonal skills like communication, relationship-building, and impression management when delivering challenging news. Drawing on theories of politeness, impression management, and organizational behavior research, the article outlines best practices: expressing sincere gratitude, offering a clear yet diplomatic explanation focused on personal fit rather than criticisms, and closing on a positive note that leaves the door open for future contact. By handling a job offer decline with finesse and consideration, candidates can turn down a role in a way that strengthens, rather than harms, professional connections. The article concludes that carefully declining an offer taps into broader leadership principles of cultivating talent through positivity, transparency and rapport, ultimately benefiting all involved parties over the long term.

Screen time trajectories and psychosocial well-being among Chinese adolescents: a longitudinal study

BackgroundWhile the association between screen time (ST) and psychosocial well-being has been extensively examined, limited studies have investigated the dynamic patterns of ST, and their impact on subsequent psychosocial well-being among adolescents. Therefore, this longitudinal study aimed to examine the association between ST trajectories and the subsequent psychosocial well-being among Chinese adolescents.MethodsData were drawn from the Longitudinal Study of Adolescents’ Mental and Behavioral Well-being Research (Registration No. ChiCTR1900022032). The final analysis included 1480 participants who completed baseline and two follow-up surveys. Standardized measures were employed to assess ST and multiple psychosocial well-being, including depressive symptoms, anxiety, externalizing problems, and coping style. Group-based trajectory modeling and generalized linear mixed models were performed.ResultsOver the two-year follow-up period, two distinct ST trajectories emerged: continued high (298 [20.1%]) and continued low (1182 [79.9%]). Compared with those in the continued low ST group, adolescents in the continued high group exhibited a higher likelihood of presenting depressive symptoms (β = 0.97, 95% CI = 0.43 ~ 1.50), anxiety symptoms (β = 0.29, 95% CI = 0.05 ~ 0.53), and emotional problems (β = 0.35, 95% CI = 0.22 ~ 0.48), and were less likely to demonstrate prosocial behavior or employ positive coping style. The stratified analysis demonstrated that the aforementioned associations only existed among female adolescents.ConclusionsPersistent high exposure to ST was associated with an increased odds of emotional problems and a decreased probability of engaging in prosocial behavior and positive coping style, with particularly noteworthy effects observed among female adolescents. These findings underscore the importance of reducing ST exposure to improve the psychological well-being of adolescents.

Necessary but not sufficient – examining the Belmont principles’ application in social and behavioral research ethics from a Confucian perspective

Purpose Much prior literature has discussed bioethics from a Confucian perspective in biomedical research, but little has applied Confucianism in examining ethics in social and behavioral research involving human subjects. This paper aims to reexamine the Belmont principles in social and behavioral research from a Confucian perspective to discuss their applicability and limitations and propose implications for revising or extending them potentially in the future. Design/methodology/approach A comparison is conducted on bioethics and social and behavioral research ethics. Afterward, a critical analysis is conducted on the Belmont principles of respect for persons, beneficence and justice from a Confucian perspective regarding their application in social and behavioral research. Findings From a Confucian perspective, the Belmont principles are necessary but may not be sufficient to cover the width and depth of ethical issues in social and behavioral research, such as those in crowd work-based research. This paper proposes that ethical guidelines for social and behavioral research may need to be updated from the Belmont principles adopting or incorporating certain Confucian ethics. Originality/value Social and behavioral research ethics have been relatively marginal compared to the bioethics deliberation in the existing literature. Unlike Beauchamp and Childress’s continued efforts in refining ethical guidelines for biomedical research specifically, little similar work has been done in this area since the Belmont report’s publication in 1979. This paper sheds light on building more refined and specific ethical guidelines to navigate the ever-growing numbers and diversities of nonmedical research topics, methodologies and contexts.

Development of a minimum data set for long COVID: a Delphi study protocol

IntroductionPrevious consensus-based long COVID research has focused on establishing research priorities, developing clinical definitions, core outcomes and a list of recommendations of patient-reported outcome measures that can be used to...

Metaverse-supply chain and halal behavior: bibliometric analysis, framework and implications

Purpose This paper aims to review how the metaverse influences and contributes to the halal industry, particularly focusing on halal logistics (HL), halal supply chain management (HSCM) and consumer behavior. Design/methodology/approach This paper analyzed scholarly studies to investigate existing literature and current as well as future trends in the adoption of the metaverse in HL, supply chains and consumer behavior. The study explores the thematic structure of the current knowledge landscape, identifies research gaps and highlights potential directions for future research at the intersection of the metaverse, supply chain and halal behavior. The authors identified 286 papers that examined the integration of the metaverse with HL practices, supply chain management strategies and consumer behavior in alignment with Islamic principles and standards. Findings The results indicate a limited number of studies on the successful adoption of the metaverse in HL, HSCM and behavioral research. This paper has proposed a framework for the metaverse-supply chain and halal behavior. The framework can serve as a reference for scholars and practitioners on how to incorporate advanced technology to engage with and predict market demand. Additionally, the metaverse-supply chain framework can be used to align with halal supply chain practices based on customer needs and preferences. The metaverse integrates the virtual world, enabling halal supply chain networks to enhance virtual reality, digital experiences and business performance. Practical implications The halal industry can showcase products and services through virtual scenarios, avatars and shops. By developing a halal-compliant metaverse, the halal industry can facilitate activities such as online sales, online payments and virtual marketing, thereby enabling a digital business transformation. Embracing the metaverse can improve business efficiency and influence consumer behavior, decisions and compliance with Shariah principles. Originality/value The authors argue that this paper is at the forefront and will serve as a reference for future research. This paper is distinct from existing literature, as it focuses on metaverse adoption and its correlation with a Shariah compliance framework in logistics, supply chain and behavioral aspects. Through its findings, this framework aims to inspire further empirical research and provide guidance and solutions to foster sustainable development in the halal industry.

Webcams as Windows to the Mind? A Direct Comparison Between In-Lab and Web-Based Eye-Tracking Methods.

There is a growing interest in the use of webcams to conduct eye-tracking experiments over the internet. We assessed the performance of two webcam-based eye-tracking techniques for behavioral research: manual annotation of webcam videos (manual eye-tracking) and the automated WebGazer eye-tracking algorithm. We compared these methods to a traditional infrared eye-tracker and assessed their performance in both lab and web-based settings. In both lab and web experiments, participants completed the same battery of five tasks, selected to trigger effects of various sizes: two visual fixation tasks and three visual world tasks testing real-time (psycholinguistic) processing effects. In the lab experiment, we simultaneously collected infrared eye-tracking, manual eye-tracking, and WebGazer data; in the web experiment, we simultaneously collected manual eye-tracking and WebGazer data. We found that the two webcam-based methods are suited to capture different types of eye-movement patterns. Manual eye-tracking, similar to infrared eye-tracking, detected both large and small effects. WebGazer, however, showed less accuracy in detecting short, subtle effects. There was no notable effect of setting for either method. We discuss the trade-offs researchers face when choosing eye-tracking methods and offer advice for conducting eye-tracking experiments over the internet.