Suchergebnisse

AbstractThe aim of this article is to better understand how judgements about nudge acceptability are formed and whether they can be manipulated. We conducted a randomized experiment withN= 171 participants to test whether acceptability judgements could be (1) more favourable when the decision to implement the nudges was made following a consultation with the targeted population and (2) influenced by the joint framing of the nudge's purpose and effectiveness (in terms of an increase in desirable behaviour versus decrease in undesirable behaviour). We tested these hypotheses on various nudge scenarios and obtained mixed results that do not clearly support our hypotheses for all nudge scenarios. A surprising result that calls for further work is that by mentioning that a nudge had been implemented through a consultation with the targeted population its acceptability could be lowered.

Values are important antecedents of how people view themselves, known as self-identities. Self-identities differ in their content and the importance that people attach to them. In turn, important self-identities promote attitudes that are compatible with a sense of who one is. This paper builds on existing work that highlights that self-identities explained the relationship between values and environmental judgments. This study incorporates a broader range of values (i.e., conservatism, openness to change, self-transcendence, self-enhancement) and self-identities (i.e., environmental, economic, political) and tests how they are related to acceptability of four geoengineering technologies. Whilst support was found for the overall model, the results also show that technology acceptability is context dependent. That is, which specific values and self-identities explain acceptability judgements depends on the specific technology that is evaluated. In general, an environmental self-identity related more to geothermal energy, an economic self-identity was most relevant to geotechnical engineering, and a political self-identity to nuclear power. Each self-identity seemed relevant to mining. This research contributes to the literature by applying this framework to acceptability of geoengineering technologies and discusses practical implications.

The complex linguistic scenario in present-day Italy is still not fully acknowledged by an appropriate provision of democratic language policies promoting minority languages alongside Italian as the official language of the country. Nevertheless, the concept of language policy cannot be restricted to institutional provisions alone as it also encompasses the language practices and beliefs of all the minority communities present on the national territory. This key aspect allows for a major democratization of language policy and for its promotion at grassroots level. This paper advocates the importance of conducting research on the specific language practice of plurilingual code-switching (PCS) across standard and non-standard varieties, and also on disclosing related beliefs held by minority community members. In this light, an empirical survey was conducted across three minority communities in the southern Italian region of Calabria, namely, Albanian, Occitan, and Filipino. Data was collected on sample informants' attitudes towards PCS and on their acceptability judgments, based on the criteria of the integrated model of PCS we propose. Findings from the comparative analysis generally highlight positive attitudes towards PCS, although noticeable differences in terms of language practices and beliefs were found across the three communities. The study thus contributes to highlighting the importance of adopting a bottom-up approach to better promote democratic language policies as it discloses the policies of single communities, which can inform institutional language policymakers. ; U ovome radu iznose se rezultati empiričkoga istraživanja o jezičnoj praksi višejezičnoga prebacivanja koda (VPK) u sklopu triju manjinskih zajednica koje borave u južnoj talijanskoj regiji Kalabriji. Istraživanjem se proučavaju stavovi i procjene prihvatljivosti slučajnoga uzorka ispitanika u pogledu prakse VPK-a, u okviru integriranoga modela VPK-a kojega autori predlažu. Podatci ukazuju na ukupni pozitivan stav prema VPK-u te na značajne razlike politika lokalne zajednice. Naime, istraživanjem se potvrđuje da su jezične prakse i vjerovanja ključni pokretači demokratskih jezičnih politika za promicanje manjinskih jezika, osobito kada iste nisu zastupljene na institucionalnoj razini kao u slučaju Italije.

Patients' acceptability of HAART is a subjective variable that may deeply influence therapeutic outcome. The feeling of the patient may alter adherence and lead to virologic failure. Acceptability may depend on various variables often difficulty evaluated by the care‐giver. In a clinical setting the evaluation of acceptability is difficult, too, as patients may feel a judgement and be less sincere. Aim of this study was to asses adherence and acceptability of HAART. To limit reporting biases, the study was performed in five different non‐clinic settings covering North and Central Italy. A total of 230 patients on stable HAART were asked to complete a semi‐structured, anonymous questionnaire reporting their attitude toward HAART, their adherence and the acceptability of their regimen. In these notes we focus on this last patient‐oriented outcome. Most of the subjects were males (66%) with a mean age of 46 years, with higher education level (72%) and a long history of HIV infection (mean 13.6 years). Consequently only 17% of patients were on a first‐line regimen. Patients reporting a high or very high acceptability of HAART were 60% compared to a 31% reporting a fair grade of satisfaction and a 9% indicating low or null acceptability. However the type of the regimen significantly influenced patients' acceptability. Single‐tablet regimens (STRs), OD regimens with more than one tablet/day or BID regimens were scored as highly acceptable in 84%; 61%; and 53% of cases, respectively (P < 0.0001) (Figure). Statistical significance was retained when the dosing schedule was entered in a multivariate logistic model. When the analysis was restricted to experienced patients 62% of them were currently on a regimen based on a reduced number of pills compared to the previous one. Patients scored the previous regimen as more difficult to comply with in 72% of cases; as difficult in 22% and less difficult in 6%. The eventuality of AEs (40%); respect of timing of pill intake (39%) and number of pills (27%) were the major reasons of patients' low acceptability of HAART. High acceptability is one of the winning characteristics of a regimen, favoring long‐term adherence, durability and efficacy. Although highly subjective, acceptability may be positively influenced by characteristics of the HAART regimen such as simplicity. According to our results, STRs show a higher acceptability compared to more complex regimens.Patient reported acceptability for thier current HAART regimen.image

Homecare providers face acute staff shortages, yet identifying new candidates with values aligned to person-centred care is challenging. This study aimed to develop and provisionally evaluate situational judgement tests to support recruitment. A total of 11 in-depth interviews with homecare workers yielded 59 'critical incidents' in which person-centred values were tested. Draft scenarios were developed alongside behavioural response options, and a scoring key was devised by 15 people with lived experiences. After piloting, the final situational judgement tests comprised 11 scenarios with 63 response options. Homecare providers reported high acceptability and feasibility, feeling that the situational judgement tests could support recruitment. Future research will test their psychometric properties.

This case study examines transfer effects in the acquisition of grammatical gender in L3/Ln. A learner of L3 Swedish, who had previously acquired two grammatical gender systems: one in his native Polish and the other in his non-native Norwegian, participated in three tasks: an online gender decision task, an offline gender decision task, and a speeded acceptability judgement task on determiner phrases (indefinite article + noun). Accuracy scores in all three tasks reveal robust transfer from Norwegian, but not from Polish. The transfer from Norwegian determines two processes inherent to grammatical gender, i.e. gender assignment and gender concord. However, response latencies in the online gender decision task point to competition between the Norwegian and Swedish gender systems at the level of gender retrieval, suggesting that target-like gender representations in Swedish are developing. Since transfer is traditionally claimed to be situated at the level of linguistic representation, it is assumed that the learner in this study temporarily developed a shared grammatical gender system for Norwegian and Swedish.

ObjectivesTo conduct public engagement work to establish the views of key stakeholders on the feasibility, acceptability, key purposes, and data structure of the first national linked longitudinal research database for fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) in the UK.
MethodsWe conducted stakeholder mapping and identified contacts through collaborator networks and online searches. We consulted with stakeholders using a range of formats, including: online focus groups (one for adults with FASD [and their supporters] N=5; one for guardians of people with FASD N=7), 1:1/small-team video calls and email communication with clinicians, data providers, policy-makers, data-governance experts, third-sector representatives and researchers [N=~85]), and one hybrid workshop (N=16 [N=10 in-person, 6 online attendees; 15 clinical and one third-sector]). Consultations included discussions on data sharing, harmonisation, perceived benefits, and challenges of a national linked database for FASD. We analysed consultation transcripts and notes using thematic analysis.
ResultsOur tailored, multi-method approach resulted in high levels of engagement with diverse stakeholders. Overall, stakeholders expressed strong support for a national linked database for FASD. For people living with FASD and third-sector representatives, the main perceived benefit was the potential for increased understanding, awareness, and support for FASD. Clinicians reported that a national database could provide new insights into FASD profiles, supporting more efficient diagnosis. Researchers highlighted potential for increased knowledge of FASD epidemiology and impacts. Policy-makers noted its clear alignment with contemporary FASD and data transformation policies. Common concerns were around privacy and data-sharing, particularly the tension between public good and disclosure risks if sample numbers were low. Clinicians expressed the importance of retaining space for clinical judgement and flexibility alongside the potential insights gained from quantitative analysis of data.
ConclusionMulti-method and multidisciplinary stakeholder engagement demonstrated the feasibility and acceptability of establishing the first UK national linked database for FASD. Perceived benefits and concerns varied by stakeholder group, demonstrating that flexible, diverse, embedded stakeholder collaboration will be essential as we seek to establish this database.

The current fascination with risk acceptability, risk benefit analysis and other devices for relating risk to social gain is a manifestation of the loss of faith amongst certain groups in modern western society with the honesty and competence of those who assess and finally make judgements about public safety. The problem lies as much in a suspicion over the motives of leading personalities and the fidelity of assessment procedures as it does with the collective psychology of individual beliefs and judgements. "Real world" studies involving carefully sampled households monitored over a period of time may well reveal better information on the complexities of risk cognition and evaluation than laboratory investigation of the views of individuals responding in isolation.

In this article I discuss Bernard Williams' realist conception of legitimacy. According to his critics Williams tacitly incorporates various moral claims, endorses a philosophically suspect 'consensus' view of politics, and employs an unrealistic and moralised conception of political rule. I argue that these criticisms mischaracterise the nature of the basic legitimation demand and the judgements about the acceptability of the state at its core and conclude that political theorists who object to the direction and style of much contemporary political theory should take seriously the possibility of developing an appropriately 'political' political theory on Williamsian lines.

In this article I discuss Bernard Williams' realist conception of legitimacy. According to his critics Williams tacitly incorporates various moral claims, endorses a philosophically suspect 'consensus' view of politics, and employs an unrealistic and moralised conception of political rule. I argue that these criticisms mischaracterise the nature of the basic legitimation demand and the judgements about the acceptability of the state at its core and conclude that political theorists who object to the direction and style of much contemporary political theory should take seriously the possibility of developing an appropriately 'political' political theory on Williamsian lines. Adapted from the source document.

Development projects that are potentially eligible for Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) funding under the Kyoto Protocol, require final approval from the host countries where the projects are to be implemented. The approval requires an evaluation of the positive contribution of the CDM project to sustainable development in the host country. A prototype set of sustainable development criteria is introduced using an evaluation process conducted in South Africa. Weighting values that reflect societal priorities in South Africa are required for these criteria. The paper shows how judgements of industry decision makers and the expenditure trends of the national government (on environmental sub-criteria) can be used to generate a first approximation of such weighting values. The industry judgements are obtained from an Analytical Hierarch Process (AHP) survey. They reflect the perceptions of the automotive supply chain and process industry only, and not other parts of the South African society. A more comprehensive study is required to determine the political and social acceptability of the AHP approach, which should be initiated and managed by the Designated National Authority (DNA) of South Africa.

There is a tension in the policy field about the way that the policy process should occur and the manner in which evidence should inform policy decisions. This article presents findings from a qualitative study on the introduction of point‐of‐sale tobacco display bans in Australia to provide an insight into the way this public policy was introduced and the way that evidence was used and communicated to influence the policy outcome.This study highlights that tobacco control policy does not merely consist of a series of segmented and unconnected decisions. It is an ongoing process, whereby the acceptability of forms of knowledge has shifted over time. This has enabled the introduction of tobacco control initiatives on the basis of good judgement when there is a paucity of specific evaluation information to support a policy's introduction.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) can be harnessed to create sophisticated social and moral scoring systems – enabling people and organisations to form judgements of others at scale. While this capability has many useful applications – e.g., matching romantic partners who are aligned in their moral principles, it also raises many ethical questions. For example, there is widespread concern about the use of social credit systems in the political domain. In this project, we approach this topic from a psychological perspective. With experimental evidence, we show that the acceptability of moral scoring by AI depends on its perceived accuracy, and that perceived accuracy is compromised by people's tendency to see themselves as morally peculiar, and thus less characterizable by AI. That is, we suggest that people overestimate the peculiarity of their moral profile, believe that AI will neglect this peculiarity, and resist for this reason the introduction of moral scoring by AI.

This PhD thesis is composed of three, seemingly almost unrelated, chapters. The first chapter, titled "Twice Losers: How the shadow of cheating affects tax behavior and norms" relies on a lab experiment to study whether the way income is generated in a society can impact individuals' willingness to pay taxes and judgements on the acceptability of tax evasion. I focus on whether the suspicion that some individuals in the society could have got their income by cheating at the expenses of others alters individuals' behavior and acceptability ratings on tax evasion. The data collection for this project was made possible by a generous grant received by IFREE in 2018. The second chapter, titled "Machine learning in the service of policy targeting: The case of Public Credit Guarantees" originates from a joint work I developed with some colleagues at Bank of Italy, where I spent a few months as a research intern. This project relies on a combination of tools from Machine Learning and causal inference to propose an alternative targeting rule for Italy's main public guarantee program, aimed to ease SMEs access to credit through publicly funded collaterals. The third and last chapter, titled "Social preferences and strategic incentives for cooperation in infinitely repeated Prisoner Dilemmas", which I first started working on while visiting UCSB in 2019, bridges my interests for applied econometrics and experimental economics. This paper investigates the role of structural game parameters and of social preferences in shaping cooperation in infinitely repeated Prisoner Dilemmas: in the first part, I collect data from previous experiments to run a meta-analysis aimed to test, using simple supervised learning algorithms, the predictive power of structural game parameters. In the second part, I develop a novel experimental design to study the role of social preferences on cooperation in infinitely repeated Prisoner Dilemmas.

This book offers the policy-maker or decision-maker key insights and practical information regarding the features of ethics frameworks best suited to the ethical assessment of human cognitive enhancement (HCE) applications, such as pharmaceutical cognitive enhancers and noninvasive brain stimulation techniques. This book takes as its departure point the entrenched philosophical debate between opponents and proponents of HCE and the increased feasibility of some applications of HCE. Recent calls for policy-making in the area of human enhancement reflect the need to find a balance between addressing current ethical issues and issues that are more speculative in nature or are underpinned by abstract philosophical concepts. Practical ethical approaches for policy or decision-making should enable the development of an evidence base for the risks and benefits of HCE applications. Moreover, such practical approaches should also incorporate a broader range of value bases that would facilitate convergence regarding certain decisions and judgements. This book identifies and evaluate tools that help us to go beyond polarised philosophical debates in order to assist practical decision makers in concrete ethical deliberation and decision-making. The focus is on systematic methods with which to identify relevant ethical values and assess the impacts of an HCE application on those values in order to facilitate decision-making regarding the ethical acceptability or desirability of the application