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Thoughts of Hopes, Opportunities Keep People From Clinging to Failing Investments
It's a common problem in the business world—throwing good money after bad. People cling to bad investments, hoping that more time, effort, and money will rescue their turkey of a project. A new study published in Psychological Science, a journal of the Association for Psychological Science, finds that changing people's mindsets can make them more likely to abandon a failing investment. "These situations happen all the time," says Assistant Professor Daniel C. Molden, of Northwestern University, who conducted the study with his graduate student Chin Ming Hui.
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A Scientific Dating Insight: Create Uncertainty
Scientific American: Five years ago I had the misfortune of beginning a relationship one week before Valentine’s day. Long hours and many glasses of wine were consumed trying to develop the perfect strategy to court this new woman, and this most saccharine of holidays was proving to be an obstacle. Should I be assertive and make plans with her for the night? Should I assume that we’d be together that evening? Should I assume the contrary? Would presents be involved? If so, of what sort? According to friends’ counsel, my decision would hinge on the message I wanted to communicate. That is, how interested did I want to appear to this woman?
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Men: Keep Your Pokerface in Love
MSNBC: Love is like a game of poker. You shouldn't give away exactly how you feel too soon. At least according to a study published in Psychological Science. College women found men more attractive if they weren't quite sure how the men felt about them. Read the whole story: MSNBC
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A Sales Promotion That Works for Shoes May Not For Chocolate
The Wall Street Journal: Generally speaking, shoppers prefer bonuses (such as a buy one, get one offer) to discounts (50% off), even if the net price is the same. Among other reasons, “the perception is that they’re getting something free, and people just love” that, Arul Mishra, an assistant professor of marketing at the David Eccles School of Business at the University of Utah, tells the Health Blog. Read the whole story:
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Money can motivate weight loss — for a while
MSNBC: Obese people might be more likely to lose weight if they have money riding on their success — but the pounds may creep back once the financial carrot is gone, a small study finds. Researchers found that a program in which people stood to lose cash should they fail to lose weight seemed to motivate them, but the motivation didn’t last. Read the whole story: MSNBC
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Community Has a Role in Health of Low-Income Kids
US News & World Report: Living in a connected community may protect poor teens from health risks such as smoking or obesity, researchers have found. In a study of low-income and middle-income families, Cornell University researchers asked 17-year-olds and their mothers to provide information about social capital, which is a measure of how connected their community is and the degree of social control. Read the whole story: US News & World Report
