Reinforcement
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A Randomized Experiment Using Absenteeism Information to “Nudge” Attendance
February 2017 Making an Impact A randomized experiment using absenteeism information to “nudge” attendance Todd Rogers Harvard Kennedy School Teresa Duncan ICF International Tonya Wolford School District of Philadelphia John Ternovski Shruthi Subramanyam Harvard Kennedy School Adrienne Reitano School District of Philadelphia Key findings This randomized controlled trial, conducted in collaboration with the School District of Philadelphia, finds that a single postcard that encouraged guardians to improve their student’s attendance reduced absences by roughly 2.4 percent. Guardians received one of two types of message: one encouraging guardians to improve their student’s attendance or one encouraging guardians to improve their student’s attendance that also included specific information about the student’s attendance history. There was no statistically significant difference in absences between students according to which message their guardians received. The effect of the postcard did not differ between students in grades 1–8 and students in grades 9–12. U.S. Department of Education At ICF International Institute of Education Sciences Thomas W. Brock, Commissioner for Education Research Delegated the Duties of Director National Center for Education Evaluation and Regional Assistance Audrey Pendleton, Acting Commissioner Elizabeth Eisner, Acting Associate Commissioner Amy Johnson, Action Editor Felicia Sanders, Project Officer REL 2017–252 The National Center for Education Evaluation and Regional Assistance (NCEE) conducts unbiased large-scale evaluations of education programs and practices supported by federal funds; provides research-based technical assistance to educators and policymakers; and supports the synthesis and the widespread dissemination of the results of research and evaluation throughout the United States. Febr uar y 2017 This report was prepared for the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) under Contract ED-IES-12-C-0006 by Regional Educational Laboratory Mid-Atlantic administered by ICF International. -
Nudge Me Right: Personalizing Online Security Nudges to People’S Decision-Making Styles
Computers in Human Behavior 109 (2020) 106347 Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Computers in Human Behavior journal homepage: http://www.elsevier.com/locate/comphumbeh Full length article Nudge me right: Personalizing online security nudges to people’s decision-making styles Eyal Peer a,*, Serge Egelman b,c, Marian Harbach b, Nathan Malkin c, Arunesh Mathur d, Alisa Frik b,c a Federmann School of Public Policy, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel b International Computer Science Institute, Berkeley, CA, USA c Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA d Department of Computer Science, Princeton University, USA ABSTRACT Nudges are simple and effective interventions that alter the architecture in which people make choices in order to help them make decisions that could benefit themselves or society. For many years, researchers and practitioners have used online nudges to encourage users to choose stronger and safer passwords. However, the effects of such nudges have been limited to local maxima, because they are designed with the “average” person in mind, instead of being customized to different individuals. We present a novel approach that analyzes individual differences in traits of decision-making style and, based on this analysis, selects which, from an array of online password nudges, would be the most effective nudge each user should receive. In two large-scale online studies, we show that such personalized nudges can lead to considerably better outcomes, increasing nudges’ effectiveness up to four times compared to administering “one-size-fits-all” nudges. We regard these novel findings a proof-of-concept that should steer more researchers, practitioners and policy-makers to develop and apply more efforts that could guarantee that each user is nudged in a way most right for them. -
Good Vibrations: Can a Digital Nudge Reduce Digital Overload?
Good Vibrations: Can a Digital Nudge Reduce Digital Overload? Fabian Okekey, Michael SobolevyΦ, Nicola DellyΨ, Deborah Estriny yCornell Tech, ΦTechnion, Ψe Jacobs Institute [fno2;ms3377;nixdell;de226]@cornell.edu ABSTRACT Snapchat, and more, have become an integral part of people’s ev- Digital overuse on mobile devices is a growing problem in every- eryday lives, helping them to share their thoughts, connect with day life. is paper describes a generalizable mobile intervention friends and families, receive news updates, and enjoy many forms that combines nudge theory and negative reinforcement to create of digital entertainment. However, research has shown that tech- a subtle, repeating phone vibration that nudges a user to reduce nology burdens people with the pressure of continual availability their digital consumption. For example, if a user has a daily Face- [2, 37], the need to constantly check in [38, 47], and the ease to book limit of 30 minutes but opens Facebook past this limit, the procrastinate on work, studies, and personal goals [22, 39, 52]. As user’s phone will issue gentle vibrations every ve seconds, but the a result, many people desire to reduce or limit their technology vibration stops once the user navigates away from Facebook. We use [21]. A number of studies have suggested completely abandon- evaluated the intervention through a three-week controlled experi- ing social media [3], using feature phones instead of smartphones ment with 50 participants on Amazon’s Mechanical Turk platform [31], calling users daily to reect on their social media habits [6], with ndings that show daily digital consumption was successfully limiting usage through personal productivity tools [16, 25], and reduced by over 20%. -
Rule-Based Reinforcement Learning Augmented by External Knowledge
Rule-based Reinforcement Learning augmented by External Knowledge Nicolas Bougie12, Ryutaro Ichise1 1 National Institute of Informatics 2 The Graduate University for Advanced Studies Sokendai [email protected], [email protected] Abstract Learning from scratch and lack of interpretability impose some problems on deep reinforcement learning methods. Reinforcement learning has achieved several suc- Randomly initializing the weights of a neural network is in- cesses in sequential decision problems. However, efficient. Furthermore, this is likely intractable to train the these methods require a large number of training model in many domains due to a large amount of required iterations in complex environments. A standard data. Additionally, most RL algorithms cannot introduce ex- paradigm to tackle this challenge is to extend rein- ternal knowledge limiting their performance. Moreover, the forcement learning to handle function approxima- impossibility to explain and understand the reason for a de- tion with deep learning. Lack of interpretability cision restricts their use to non-safety critical domains, ex- and impossibility to introduce background knowl- cluding for example medicine or law. An approach to tackle edge limits their usability in many safety-critical these problems is to combine simple reinforcement learning real-world scenarios. In this paper, we study how techniques and external knowledge. to combine reinforcement learning and external A powerful recent idea to address the problem of computa- knowledge. We derive a rule-based variant ver- tional expenses is to modularize the model into an ensemble sion of the Sarsa(λ) algorithm, which we call Sarsa- of experts [Lample and Chaplot, 2017], [Bougie and Ichise, rb(λ), that augments data with complex knowledge 2017]. -
Personality and Individual Differences 128 (2018) 162–169
Personality and Individual Differences 128 (2018) 162–169 Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Personality and Individual Differences journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/paid Risk as reward: Reinforcement sensitivity theory and psychopathic T personality perspectives on everyday risk-taking ⁎ Liam P. Satchella, , Alison M. Baconb, Jennifer L. Firthc, Philip J. Corrd a School of Law and Criminology, University of West London, United Kingdom b School of Psychology, Plymouth University, United Kingdom c Department of Psychology, Nottingham Trent University, United Kingdom d Department of Psychology, City, University of London, United Kingdom ARTICLE INFO ABSTRACT Keywords: This study updates and synthesises research on the extent to which impulsive and antisocial disposition predicts Personality everyday pro- and antisocial risk-taking behaviour. We use the Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory (RST) of Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory personality to measure approach, avoidance, and inhibition dispositions, as well as measures of Callous- Psychopathy Unemotional and psychopathic personalities. In an international sample of 454 respondents, results showed that Callous-unemotional traits RST, psychopathic personality, and callous-unemotional measures accounted for different aspects of risk-taking Risk-taking behaviour. Specifically, traits associated with ‘fearlessness’ related more to ‘prosocial’ (recreational and social) risk-taking, whilst traits associated with ‘impulsivity’ related more to ‘antisocial’ (ethical and health) risk-taking. Further, we demonstrate that psychopathic personality may be demonstrated by combining the RST and callous- unemotional traits (high impulsivity, callousness, and low fear). Overall this study showed how impulsive, fearless and antisocial traits can be used in combination to identify pro- and anti-social risk-taking behaviours; suggestions for future research are indicated. 1. -
Strategic Recommendations for the Design of Nudges Towards a Sustainable Society
Master's Degree Thesis Strategic Recommendations for the Design of Nudges towards a Sustainable Society. Nell Goepel Maíra Rossini Rahme Frida Svanhall Blekinge Institute of Technology Karlskrona, Sweden 2015 Examiner: Dr. Henrik Ny Ph.D. Supervisor: Professor Karl-Henrik Robèrt Primary advisor: M.Sc. Patricia Lagun Mesquita Secondary advisor: M.Sc. Rachael Gould Strategic Recommendations for the Design of Nudges towards a Sustainable Society. Nell Goepel, Maíra Rossini Rahme, Frida Svanhall School of Engineering Blekinge Institute of Technology Karlskrona, Sweden 2015 Thesis submitted for completion of Master of Strategic Leadership towards Sustainability, Blekinge Institute of Technology, Karlskrona, Sweden. Abstract: Even though most people support the sustainability agenda, human behavior continues to play a major role in driving the long-term global trends comprising today's Sustainability Challenge. Raising awareness and public intention to act sustainably is not translating into meaningful change in sustainable behavior and legislation is time and cost intensive to implement. Another approach, that acts in the gap between intention and action, is cost and time efficient, and provides non-invasive guidance to decisions is nudge. This research analyzes guides for designing nudges and the current practices of nudge designers to discover its potential to guide human behavior towards sustainability. Using the Framework for Strategic Sustainable Development the researchers conclude that nudging can effectively create incremental changes towards sustainable behavior. The researchers see strong potential for nudging to have a greater impact within the Sustainability Challenge if scaled up and out. To do this, a strategic approach is required which considers the Earth’s complexity and preserves freedom. -
Psychology at Queen's
SCHOOL OF PSYCHOLOGY PSYCHOLOGY AT QUEEN’S A UNIQUE STUDY ABROAD EXPERIENCE Semester one Semester two Level 1 classes 1006 Using Psychology in Everyday Life 1: Using Psychology in Everyday Life 2: The module will cover aspects of everyday life seen The module will cover how psychology may improve from a psychological point of view. This should individual performance and provide interventions to offer fresh insights into familiar phenomena and overcome individual problems in everyday behaviours. encourage students to question some common The module will outline the role psychology has sense beliefs. Students will also be given the in designing and implementing interventions to opportunity to undertake an experiment to gain influence individual performance and behaviour. experience of research in psychology in a practical The module will explore the psychology behind the setting. Lectures will discuss real-world and behaviour(s) and how effective programmes are in everyday situations and explore how psychology influencing and changing behaviour. The module contributes to our understanding of them and will offer fresh insights into the causes of and how it is applied in everyday life. The topics are solutions to everyday psychological and behavioural presented by members of the course team who have issues experienced by the individual. The topics are a specific interest and knowledge of their topic. presented by members of the course team who have a specific interest and knowledge of their topic. Semester one Semester two Level 2 classes 2065 Social Psychology & Individual Differences: 2065 Conceptual Issues in Psychology & Perception: This module develops the topics of social This module develops the topics of conceptual psychology and individual differences. -
Fact Sheet - Reinforcement
FACT SHEET - REINFORCEMENT Positive Reinforcement Because many children with autism have difficulty with communication, play skills, and socialization, it is often difficult to motivate them to engage in activities that incorporate these skills. Positive reinforcement can provide additional motivation to help shape and increase developmentally approriate behaviors. A positive reinforcer is anything that is added following a behavior that increases the likelihood of the behavior occuring again in the future. Rewards are often given to children when they engage in desirable behaviors, but if the reward does Contact Information not cause those behaviors to increase in the future, then the reward is not actually a Website: positive reinforcer. www.coe.fau.edu/card/ Various Forms of Reinforcement Boca Raton Campus 777 Glades Road Natural Reinforcement: A child’s positive behaviors and social interactions Boca Raton, FL. 33431 are reinforced naturally. The natural consequences of positive behaviors become reinforcing themselves. Successful interactions become motivating to the child. Main Line: 561/ 297-2023 Toll Free: 1-888-632-6395 Examples: Fax: 561/297-2507 ♦ There is a ball out of reach for a child. The child says, “Ball,” and an adult Port St Lucie Campus hands the ball to the child. Access to the ball is reinforcing and increases the likelihood of the child requesting “ball” in the future. 500 NW California Blvd. ♦ A child is struggling with a difficult puzzle. The child says, “Help,” and an Port St Lucie, FL. 34986 adult helps the child. Completion of the puzzle is reinforcing. This successful interaction increases the likelihood of the child attempting puzzles Main Line: 561/ 297-2023 in the future and requesting help when needed. -
Nudge-Approach and the Perception
NUDGE-APPROACH AND THE PERCEPTION OF HUMAN NATURE, SOCIAL PROBLEMS, AND THE ROLE OF THE STATE By Weronika Koralewska Submitted to Central European University Department of Political Science In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Political Science Supervisor: Professor Andres Moles CEU eTD Collection Budapest, Hungary (2016) Abstract This thesis analyzes how the nudge-approach perceives human nature, social problems and the role of the state, with the stress on how it shifts the focus from the broader, holistic context, to the situation of the chooser's individual decision. This research remains in line with the assumption that ideas themselves matter and that power per se, being intertwined with knowledge and language, with which we describe reality, has a diffused nature. Investigating the theoretical underpinnings of the nudge-approach together with contrasting them with different theories, the analysis shows the distinctiveness of the nudge-approach. In addition, the thesis suggests what the nudge-approach overlooks. CEU eTD Collection i Table of contents Abstract ....................................................................................................................................... i Table of contents ........................................................................................................................ ii List of tables .............................................................................................................................. iii Introduction ............................................................................................................................... -
Nudge Theory
Nudge Theory http://www.businessballs.com/nudge-theory.htm Nudge theory is a flexible and modern concept for: • understanding of how people think, make decisions, and behave, • helping people improve their thinking and decisions, • managing change of all sorts, and • identifying and modifying existing unhelpful influences on people. Nudge theory was named and popularized by the 2008 book, 'Nudge: Improving Decisions About Health, Wealth, and Happiness', written by American academics Richard H Thaler and Cass R Sunstein. The book is based strongly on the Nobel prize- winning work of the Israeli-American psychologists Daniel Kahneman and Amos Tversky. This article: • reviews and explains Thaler and Sunstein's 'Nudge' concept, especially 'heuristics' (tendencies for humans to think and decide instinctively and often mistakenly) • relates 'Nudge' methods to other theories and models, and to Kahneman and Tversky's work • defines and describes additional methods of 'nudging' people and groups • extends the appreciation and application of 'Nudge' methodology to broader change- management, motivation, leadership, coaching, counselling, parenting, etc • offers 'Nudge' methods and related concepts as a 'Nudge' theory 'toolkit' so that the concept can be taught and applied in a wide range of situations involving relationships with people, and enabling people to improve their thinking and decision- making • and offers a glossary of Nudge theory and related terms 'Nudge' theory was proposed originally in US 'behavioral economics', but it can be adapted and applied much more widely for enabling and encouraging change in people, groups, or yourself. Nudge theory can also be used to explore, understand, and explain existing influences on how people behave, especially influences which are unhelpful, with a view to removing or altering them. -
The Building Blocks of Treatment in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy
Isr J Psychiatry Relat Sci Vol 46 No. 4 (2009) 245–250 The Building Blocks of Treatment in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Jonathan D. Huppert, PhD Department of Psychology, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel Abstract: Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a set of treatments that focus on altering thoughts, sensations, emo- tions and behaviors by addressing identified maintenance mechanisms such as distorted thinking or avoidance. The current article describes the history of CBT and provides a description of many of the basic techniques used in CBT. These include: psychoeducation, self-monitoring, cognitive restructuring, in vivo exposure, imaginal exposure, and homework assignments. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is probably progress has been made in understanding the psy- better called cognitive and behavioral therapies, chological mechanisms involved in treatment (e.g., given that there are many treatments and traditions 10), though there is still much to understand. that fall under the rubric of CBT. These therapies The basic tenets of CBT theory of mental illness have different emphases on theory (e.g., cognitive is that psychopathology is comprised of maladap- versus behavioral) and application (e.g., practical tive associations among thoughts, behaviors and vs. theoretical). Historically, behavior therapy de- emotions that are maintained by cognitive (at- veloped out of learning theory traditions of Pavlov tention, interpretation, memory) and behavioral (1) and Skinner (2), both of whom considered processes (avoidance, reinforcement, etc.). Within learning’s implications for psychopathology. More CBT theories, there are different emphases on direct clinical applications of behavioral prin- aspects of the characteristics of psychopathology ciples were developed by Mowrer (3), Watson and and their maintenance mechanisms (e.g., 11–14). -
Throwing More Light on the Dark Side of Personality: a Re-Examination of Reinforcement
City Research Online City, University of London Institutional Repository Citation: Broerman, R. L., Ross, S. & Corr, P. J. (2014). Throwing more light on the dark side of psychopathy: An extension of previous findings for the revised Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory. Personality and Individual Differences, 68, pp. 165-169. doi: 10.1016/j.paid.2014.04.024 This is the accepted version of the paper. This version of the publication may differ from the final published version. Permanent repository link: http://openaccess.city.ac.uk/16257/ Link to published version: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2014.04.024 Copyright and reuse: City Research Online aims to make research outputs of City, University of London available to a wider audience. Copyright and Moral Rights remain with the author(s) and/or copyright holders. URLs from City Research Online may be freely distributed and linked to. City Research Online: http://openaccess.city.ac.uk/ [email protected] Throwing More Light on the Dark Side of Personality: A Re-examination of Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory in Primary and Secondary Psychopathy Scales Broerman, R. L. Ross, S. R. Corr, P. J. Introduction Due to researchers’ differing opinions regarding the construct of psychopathy, the distinction between primary and secondary psychopathy, though it has long been recognized to exist, has yet to be fully understood. This distinction, originally proposed by Karpman (1941, 1948), suggests two separate etiologies leading to psychopathy. Whereas primary psychopathy stems from genetic influences resulting in emotional deficits, secondary psychopathy is associated with environmental factors such as abuse (Lee & Salekin, 2010). Additionally, primary psychopathy is characterized by lack of fear/anxiety, secondary psychopathy is thought more to represent a vulnerability to experience higher levels of negative affect in general (Vassileva, Kosson, Abramowitz, & Conrad, 2005).