Deciding to exercise requires trade-offs between immediate and delayed benefits. These momentary decisions may be moderated by personality such that patterns of individual behavior emerge. The aim of the current study was to determine if higher levels of optimism and lower levels of delay discounting were related to exercise frequency. A sample of 360 undergraduate students completed a survey study related to understanding the choices made by undergraduates and how other factors relate to their decision-making. The survey included measures of optimism, delayed discounting, and self-reported exercise frequency in four domains: cardiovascular, resistance, sports, active lifestyle. Hierarchical linear regression was used to examine optimism and delay discounting as predictors of exercise frequency. Optimism and delay discounting were negatively correlated, but neither was related to exercise frequency. Furthermore, optimism and delay discounting were not significantly related to frequency spent in cardiovascular, resistance, or active lifestyle exercise. However, women scoring higher in delay discounting were more likely to participate in physical sports. The present study helps inform future research by showing potentially important psychosocial variables related to optimism, delay discounting, and exercise.

Este trabalho analisou o desempenho de 31 fundos mútuos comportamentais atuantes nos EUA, Europa e Japão descritos em Santoni e Kelshiker (2010). Foram observados os desempenhos dos fundos e seus respectivos benchmarks em quatro indicadores: Índice de Sharpe, Índice de Sortino, Medida Ômega e Medida de Desempenho Comportamental. O horizonte da análise foi de 10 anos (jan/04 a dez/14) dividido em intervalos de 6, 12, 36, 60 e 120 meses. A partir da consolidação dos indicadores os fundos foram ranqueados e classificados em três faixas de desempenho: superior, intermediário e inferior. No intervalo de 120 meses não houve, na média geral, diferença de desempenho significativa (a 5%) entre os fundos e os Benchmarks. A análise por intervalos indicou que o desempenho dos fundos em relação aos Benchmarks piora conforme aumenta o prazo de aplicação. Nos intervalos mais curtos (6 e 12 meses) não houve, na média, diferença de desempenho significativa enquanto nos prazos mais longos (36 e 60 meses) o desempenho médio dos fundos foi significativamente inferior aos Benchmarks. Na média de todos os intervalos o desempenho médio dos fundos foi significativamente inferior aos Benchmarks. Dentre os indicadores utilizados, o índice de Sortino foi o que apresentou maior correlação com o desempenho geral dos fundos. / This work has analyzed the performance of 31 behavioral mutual funds operating in USA, Europe and Japan, as described in Santoni and Kelshiker (2010). It has been observed the performance of the funds and their respective Benchmarks according to four measures: Sharpe Index, Sortino Index, Omega Measure and Behavioral Perfomance Measure. The analysis covered a 10-year period (jan-04 to dec-14) slipt into intervals of 6, 12, 36, 60 and 120 months. Based on the consolidation of the performance measures, the funds have been ranked and classified into three performance categories: upper, intermediate and lower. In the 120-month interval there has not been, on average, a significant difference (at 5%) in performance between funds and Benchmarks. The analysis by intervals showed that the funds’ performance worsens in relation to the Benchmarks as the investment period increases. In shorter intervals (6 and 12 months) there has not been, on average, a significant difference in performance while in the longer intervals (36 and 60 months) the funds average performance was significantly lower than the Benchmarks. Computing the mean of all intervals, the funds average performance was significantly lower than the Benchmarks. Among the performance measures used, the Sortino Index presented the highest correlation with the general performance of the funds. / Dissertação (mestrado) - Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, 2015 / Bibliografia: p. [77]-81

Our decisions reflect who we are and shape who we become. The field of decision-making and learning has revealed how past outcomes guide our future choices by updating value representations. However, we often make choices among options we never experienced before, and therefore their value is not immediately accessible. How do we navigate these choices? This dissertation posits that such decisions rely on memory mechanisms that facilitate generalization and inferential reasoning. Through a combination of behavioral experiments, computational modeling and neuroimaging measures, I explore the diverse ways in which memory mechanisms influence value-based decisions between options for which value is unknown. In Chapter One, I investigate how individuals assign value to unchosen alternatives and propose that memory creates an associative link between choice options, with consequences for later updating of value. Through a series of five experiments, I demonstrate an inverse relationship between the valuation of unchosen options and the direct learning about chosen options, and show that this inverse inference of value is related to memory of the decision itself. In Chapter Two, I manipulate the associative link between choice options using a well-established memory manipulation technique and observe a reduction in the inverse inference of unchosen options. This provides further evidence for the causal role of associative memory in the inferential effect. Additionally, I introduce a novel policy-gradient model incorporating memory components that offers the best explanation for observed behaviors. Lastly, in Chapter Three, I present behavioral and neuroimaging evidence supporting the influence of conceptual knowledge in value-based decisions involving entirely new choice options. I show that people use existing category knowledge to group similar items together, enabling value extraction at a category level and generalization to novel items. Overall, this dissertation underscores the fundamental role of memory in shaping the construction and use of value to guide choice. It emphasizes the adaptive and flexible nature of memory, showing how it combines past experiences to guide future actions.

Research identifying the relationship between inhibition and binge drinking in young adults is limited. Accordingly, this study aimed to identify which subcomponent(s) of inhibitory performance is most sensitive at discerning binge-drinking behavior among young adults through a longitudinal design. The sample consisted of 182 alcohol consuming college students (48.3% male) with a mean age of 21.04±1.83 years. Inhibitory processing and alcohol behavior were assessed at baseline and six months later at follow-up. Alcohol behavior was also evaluated throughout participation via 13 biweekly alcohol logs. Multiple regression analysis revealed that interference inhibition (Simon task) contributed to the prediction of the number of drinks consumed during binge drinking occasion among males. These findings suggest that specific subcomponents of response inhibition, and not others, are more suitable for predicting alcohol consumption habits. / Includes bibliography. / Dissertation (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2016. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

This project attempts to explain impulsive behavior which is described here as behavior that cannot be explained by a rational thought process. There will be a concentration on the direct relationship between perceptions of equity and the intention to quit.

All 1996 parliamentary speeches of two members from each of three parties represented in the South African parliament were coded for the extent to which they demonstrated integrative complexity, a measure of the level of differentiation and integration which a decision-maker demonstrates in justifying his or her position. Each of the selected debates was also categorised according to the manner in which the speaker was aligned in relation to other parties taking part in the debate and the extent to which the matter had been aired in parliament previously. The relationship between the level of integrative complexity shown in the speeches was assessed in relation to the alignment of the speaker with other parties, the extent to which the debate had been rehearsed and the position f the speaker on the left-right political spectrum. The results of the study indicated a strong relationship between the relationship of the speaker to the ruling ANC in the debate, with speakers showing significantly lower integrative complexity when opposing the ANC than when they were in agreement with the ANC. The extent to which the debate had been rehearsed bore a relationship to integrative complexity which only approached significance and the political affiliation of the speaker yielded a non-significant relationship to integrative complexity. The results of the study are discussed with reference to existing theoretical understandings of and research into integrative complexity. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 1999.

Résumé. Le but de cette thèse de doctorat est d’analyse le rôle des quatre variables individuelles (traits de personnalité, sentiment d’efficacité de la décision de carrière, support social perçu et intelligence émotionnelle) dans l’explication des différents aspects décisionnels (difficultés à prendre des décisions de carrière, styles décisionnels, indécision généralisée). Dans ce travail de doctorat on va utiliser les résultats des articles suivants qui ont été publiés ou sont sous presse sur journaux. L’article de Di Fabio et Palazzeschi (2009a) permet de mettre en évidence chez les apprentis italiens une relation entre les difficultés à prendre des décisions de carrière (Manque de promptitude, Manque d’information et Inconsistance de l’information) et les traits de personnalité (liaison négative avec l’Extraversion et positive avec le Névrosisme) et négatives avec l’intelligence émotionnelle. L’étude montre également comment l’intelligence émotionnelle est en mesure d’expliquer un pourcentage de variance incrémentale de chacune des trois dimensions du CDDQ par rapport aux traits de personnalité. L’article de Di Fabio et Blustein (2010) permet de démontrer chez des lycéens italiens l’existence de relations entre l’intelligence émotionnelle et les styles décisionnels du modèle de Mann et al. (1997), en montrant comment, parmi les dimensions de l’intelligence émotionnelle, c’est l’Intrapersonnelle qui apporte le plus grand pourcentage d’explication inverse des styles non adaptifs du MDMQ (évitement, procrastination, hypervigilance) tandis que c’est l’Adaptabilité qui apporte le plus grand pourcentage d’explication positive du style adaptatif vigilance du MDMQ. L’article de Di Fabio et Kenny (2012) permet de confirmer chez des lycéens italiens l’existence de relations entre l’intelligence émotionnelle et les styles décisionnels dans ce cas définies selon le modèle de Scott et Bruce (1995). Cette étude permet de souligner aussi que c’est surtout l’intelligence émotionnelle auto-évaluée plutôt que l’intelligence émotionnelle comme habileté qui explique les styles décisionnels. L’article de Di Fabio, Palazzeschi, Asulin-Peretz et Gati (sous presse) permet de démontrer que l’intelligence émotionnelle explique un pourcentage de variance incrémentale soit par rapport à les traits de personnalité soit par rapport à le sentiment d’efficacité de la décision de carrière et au support social perçu en ce qui concerne tant les difficultés à prendre des décisions de carrière que l’indécision généralisée. L’étude a aussi révélé que les difficultés à prendre des décisions de carrière sont mieux expliquées par l’intelligence émotionnelle alors que l’indécision généralisée est mieux expliquées par les traits de personnalité. L’article de Di Fabio et Kenny (2011) a montré l’efficacité d’une formation pour le développement de l’intelligence émotionnelle conçue spécifiquement pour des lycéens italiens selon le modèle des habiletés, en montrant comment cette formation augmente l’intelligence émotionnelle tant comme habileté qu’ auto-évaluée et diminue l’indécision de carrière et l’indécision généralisée. Les hypothèses ont été confirmées par les articles présentés, ouvrant de nouvelles perspectives de recherche et d’intervention. <p><p>Références bibliographiques<p><p>Di Fabio, A. & Blustein, D. L. (2010). Emotional intelligence and decisional conflict styles: Some empirical evidence among Italian high school students. Journal of Career Assessment, 18, 71-81.<p>Di Fabio, A. & Kenny, M. E. (2011). Promoting emotional intelligence and career decision making among Italian high school students. Journal of Career Assessment, 19, 21-34.<p>Fabio, A. & Kenny, M. E. (2012). The contribution of emotional intelligence to decisional styles among Italian high school students. Journal of Career Assessment, 20, 404-414. <p>Di Fabio, A. & Palazzeschi, L. (2009a). Emotional intelligence, personality traits and career decision difficulties. International Journal for Educational and Vocational Guidance, 9(2), 135-146.<p>Di Fabio, A. Palazzeschi, L. Asulin-Peretz, L. & Gati, I (sous presse). Career indecision versus indecisiveness: Associations with personality traits and emotional intelligence. Journal of Career Assessment./Abstract. The aim of this doctoral dissertation is to analyse the role of four individual variables (personality traits, career decision-making self-efficacy, perceived social support and emotional intelligence) in explaining different decisional aspects (career decision-making difficulties, decisional styles, indecisiveness). In this doctoral work, it was using the results of the following articles that were published or were in press on journals. The article of Di Fabio and Palazzeschi (2009a) highlighted in Italian young workers engaged in paid professional training a relationship between career decision-making difficulties (Lack of readiness, Lack of information, Inconsistent information) and personality traits (inverse relationship with Extraversion and positive with Neuroticism) et inverse with emotional intelligence. The study also showed how emotional intelligence was able to explain a percentage of incremental variance in each of the three dimensions of CDDQ in relation to personality traits. The article of Di Fabio and Blustein (2010) demonstrated in Italian high school students the existence of relationships between emotional intelligence and decisional styles according to Mann et al. (1997) model showing how, among emotional intelligence dimensions, was the Intrapersonal which provided the largest percentage of inverse explanation of non-adaptive styles of the MDMQ (avoidance, procrastination, hypervigilance) whereas was Adaptability which brought the highest percentage of positive explanation of vigilance adaptive style of the MDMQ. The article of Di Fabio and Kenny (2012) confirmed in Italian high school students the existence of relationships between emotional intelligence and decisional styles in this case defined according to Scott and Bruce (1995) model. This study also underlined that it was especially self-reported emotional intelligence rather than ability-based emotional intelligence which explained decisional styles. The article of Di Fabio, Palazzeschi, Asulin-Peretz and Gati (in press) demonstrated that emotional intelligence explained a percentage of incremental variance in relation to both personality traits and career decision-making self-efficacy and perceived social support with regards to both career decision-making difficulties and indecisiveness. The study also revealed that career decision-making difficulties were better explained by emotional intelligence while indecisiveness was better explained by personality traits. The article of Di Fabio and Kenny (2011) showed the effectiveness of a training for the development of emotional intelligence designed specifically for Italian high school students according to ability-based model, showing how this training increased emotional intelligence both ability-based and self-reported and decreased career indecision and indecisiveness. The hypotheses were confirmed by the described articles, opening new perspectives for research and intervention.<p><p>References<p><p>Di Fabio, A. & Blustein, D. L. (2010). Emotional intelligence and decisional conflict styles: Some empirical evidence among Italian high school students. Journal of Career Assessment, 18, 71-81.<p>Di Fabio, A. & Kenny, M. E. (2011). Promoting emotional intelligence and career decision making among Italian high school students. Journal of Career Assessment, 19, 21-34.<p>Fabio, A. & Kenny, M. E. (2012). The contribution of emotional intelligence to decisional styles among Italian high school students. Journal of Career Assessment, 20, 404-414. <p>Di Fabio, A. & Palazzeschi, L. (2009a). Emotional intelligence, personality traits and career decision difficulties. International Journal for Educational and Vocational Guidance, 9(2), 135-146.<p>Di Fabio, A. Palazzeschi, L. Asulin-Peretz, L. & Gati, I. (in press). Career indecision versus indecisiveness: Associations with personality traits and emotional intelligence. Journal of Career Assessment.<p> / Doctorat en Sciences Psychologiques et de l'éducation / info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished

Behavioral operations management (BOM) has gained popularity in the last two decades. The main theme in this new stream of research is to include the human behavior in Operations Management (OM) models to increase the effectiveness of such models. BOM is classified into 4 areas: cognitive psychology, social psychology, group dynamics and system dynamics (Bendoly et al. 2010). This dissertation will focus on the first class, namely cognitive psychology. Cognitive psychology is further classified into heuristics and biases. Tversky and Kahneman (1974) discussed 3 heuristics and 13 cognitive biases that usually face decision makers. This dissertation is going to study 6 cognitive biases under the representativeness heuristic. The model in this dissertation states that cognitive reflection of the individual (Frederick 2005) and training about cognitive biases in the form of warning (Kaufmann and Michel 2009) will help decisions’ makers make less biased decisions. The 6 cognitive biases investigated in this dissertation are insensitivity to prior probability, insensitivity to sample size, misconception of chance, insensitivity to predictability, the illusion of validity and misconception of regression. 6 scenarios in OM contexts have been used in this study. Each scenario corresponds to one cognitive bias. Experimental design has been used as the research tool. To see the impact of training, one group of the participants received the scenarios without training and the other group received them with training. The training consists of a brief description of the cognitive bias as well as an example of the cognitive bias. Cognitive reflection is operationalized using cognitive reflection test (CRT). The survey was distributed to students at University of North Texas (UNT). Logistic regression has been employed to analyze data. The research shows that participants show the cognitive biases proposed by Tversky and Kahneman. Moreover, CRT is significant factor to predict the cognitive bias in two scenarios. Finally, providing training in terms of warning helps participants to make more rational decisions in 4 scenarios. This means that although cognitive biases are inherent in the mind of people, management of corporations has the tool to educate its managers and professionals about such biases which helps companies make more rational decisions.

The role of executive functioning in substance dependence and addiction has received increased attention in recent years; however, the findings of empirical studies are at times contradictory and difficult to compare at face value. To address the current state of fragmentation and to delineate the current body of knowledge a systematic review of existing studies was conducted. The synthesis of the findings from these studies confirmed that lower neuropsychological performance scores of executive functioning are observed in substance dependent populations. Furthermore, the synthesis of the components of these studies provided a comprehensive overview and revealed a number of critical gaps in the current body of knowledge. The gaps include limitations concerning specific demographics of the samples studied (under-representation of females, adolescents, the elderly, individuals with limited education, and individuals from Africa, Oceania, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean), as well as the scarce number of studies investigating specific substances; insufficient longitudinal studies; and the fragmentation of executive functioning as a theoretical construct. / Psychology / M.A. (Psychology)