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on Neuroeconomics |
| By: | Gaia Bagnasco; Pieter Bakx; Stijn Coremans; Bram Wouterse |
| Abstract: | We analyze the association between cognitive impairments and long-term care use in the 65+ population in the Netherlands. For this, we use data from the Lifelines Cohort Study that are linked to administrative records available through Statistics Netherlands. We find that, among those with cognitive impairments, long-term care use is concentrated in a subgroup: 42% of those with cognitive impairments do not use any long-term care. At the same time, individuals with cognitive impairments who use long-term care have high expenditures, in particular when living in nursing homes. Further analyses reveal that many individuals with cognitive impairments report functional limitations and that cognitive impairment is associated with long-term care use above and beyond these impairments. These findings highlight the importance of taking cognitive impairments into account when seeking to explain the determinants of long-term care use in research and when tailoring long-term care programs to the needs of the elderly when considering policy reforms. |
| JEL: | I10 |
| Date: | 2026–07 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:nbr:nberwo:35538 |
| By: | Agar Brugiavini; Ludovico Carrino; Gloria Moroni; Rinaldo Naci; Giacomo Pasini |
| Abstract: | This chapter examines the incidence and economic burden of cognitive impairment among older individuals in Italy within the long-term care (LTC) system. Using SHARE Wave 9 data (2022), cognitive impairment is measured through standardized memory and numeracy tests, classifying 8.6% of individuals aged 65+ as cognitively impaired. Cognitive decline rises sharply with age and is strongly associated with higher care needs, particularly intensive formal care. While both physically and cognitively impaired individuals rely heavily on informal care, cognitively impaired individuals receive substantially more hours of care. Total LTC costs amount to $35.3 billion (1.66% of GDP), with cognitively impaired individuals accounting for the largest share of expenditures. Informal care represents a greater financial burden than formal care across all groups. The findings highlight significant unmet care needs and underscore the urgent necessity of policy reforms and healthy ageing strategies to ensure LTC sustainability. |
| JEL: | D10 I13 |
| Date: | 2026–07 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:nbr:nberwo:35441 |
| By: | Gorman, C. Allen; Meriac, John; Himmler, Joseph; Boitet, Laurence; Contreras, Tanya F. |
| Abstract: | Purpose Rater training is important for improving the quality of performance measurement and management. However, relatively little research has examined the influence of trainee characteristics on rater training motivation and rater training effectiveness. Design/methodology/approach Grounded in training motivation theory, we developed and tested an integrative model of rater training motivation and rater training effectiveness across two studies. Study 1 examined relationships among learning goal orientation, internal locus of control, promotion focus, general self-efficacy and rater training motivation. Study 2 extended this model by examining relationships between these individual differences and multiple FOR training outcomes, including declarative knowledge, correlational accuracy and Cronbach's (1955) rating accuracy indices. Supplemental analyses also compared trained participants to an untrained control sample using the same FOR training materials and rating tasks. Findings Results indicated that learning goal orientation, internal locus of control, promotion focus, and cognitive ability influenced rater training motivation through general self-efficacy. Rater training motivation did not predict declarative knowledge, correlational accuracy or the Cronbach rating accuracy indices, whereas cognitive ability demonstrated the most consistent relationships with cognitively demanding FOR training outcomes, particularly correlational accuracy and stereotype accuracy. Supplemental analyses further supported the effectiveness of the FOR intervention across multiple dimensions of rating accuracy. Collectively, the findings suggest that although trainee dispositions are relevant to understanding rater training motivation, cognitive ability may be more important for understanding performance on cognitively demanding FOR training outcomes. Originality/value This work offers a novel examination of how individual differences influence both motivation and effectiveness in rater training by: (1) highlighting the overlooked role of training motivation in rater training research, (2) examining multiple dimensions of rating accuracy within a FOR training framework and (3) investigating the role of cognitive ability in FOR training outcomes. |
| Keywords: | cognitive ability;frame-of-reference training;rater training;training effectiveness;training motivation |
| JEL: | L81 |
| Date: | 2026–08–19 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ehl:lserod:140794 |
| By: | Benghalem, Hélène (University of Lausanne); Bächli, Mirjam (University of Lausanne); Tinello, Doriana (Univeristy of Geneva); Zuber, Sascha (University of Geneva); Cherubini, Mauro (University of Lausanne); Aschwanden, Damaris (University of Geneva); Kliegel, Matthias (University of Geneva); Lalive, Rafael (University of Lausanne); Pellizzari, Michele (University of Geneva) |
| Abstract: | Cognition is likely to be important for job search, but its role is not yet well understood. We study an online field experiment with jobseekers registered at the Swiss public employment services. Participants were randomly assigned to an online cognitive training program designed to strengthen core cognitive abilities and transversal cognitive abilities relevant for job search. Combining administrative and survey data on employment and earnings, we find that access to cognitive training substantially increases employment rates and earnings while reducing reliance on transfer income. In a simple search model, these findings could arise when cognition improves search effectiveness leading to lower search effort but higher chances of employment. |
| Keywords: | unemployment, online job search, cognitive training |
| JEL: | J64 J62 C93 |
| Date: | 2026–08 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:iza:izadps:dp18886 |
| By: | Cesar Chavez Padilla; Shuaizhang Feng; James J. Heckman; Zhe Yang |
| Abstract: | Using rich data on Chinese schoolchildren, we study the relationships of IQ and personality traits with children’s risk preferences and how they affect the precision with which those preferences are measured. Our structural model separates preferences from deliberation noise and guessing, and relates guessing to deliberation noise. Psychological measures have weak direct influences on preferences but strongly affect deliberation noise and guessing behavior. Shocks to choice have persistent individual-specific components and are not independent. Socioeconomic background has little direct influence on preferences or deliberation noise once traits are accounted for. Background variables affect psychological traits, however. Risk preferences differ across and within genders. For small gambles, girls are less risk averse than boys, but the opposite holds for larger gambles. |
| JEL: | D12 D90 I21 J24 |
| Date: | 2026–07 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:nbr:nberwo:35526 |
| By: | Louise Devos; Louis Lippens; Stijn Baert |
| Abstract: | interventions aimed at improving workers’ mental well-being. Specifically, it examines which types of interventions are effective for which aspects of mental well-being, both in the short and long term. To this end, we identify 125 randomised controlled trials comprising 147 interventions that vary in their objectives (prevention, treatment, or reintegration), targets (workers or work), methods (cognitive, meditation-based, physical, ergonomic, organisational, or multimethod) and delivery channels (offline, online or hybrid). Mental well-being outcomes are classified as biological and self-reported indicators of the three components of subjective mental well-being (evaluative, affective, and eudaimonic well-being). Overall, we find that, for preventing and treating early mental health symptoms, cognitive or meditation-based interventions targeting personal coping resources appear most promising. In contrast, successful reintegration seems to require a combination of cognitive and organisational interventions, with the latter addressing job demands and resources. |
| Keywords: | religion, hiring, discrimination, factorial survey experiment |
| JEL: | C83 J61 J71 |
| Date: | 2026–09 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:rug:rugwps:26/1151 |
| By: | Dalle, Axana (Ghent University); Moens, Eline (Ghent University); Van Ootegem, Luc (Ghent University); Verhofstadt, Elsy (Ghent University); Baert, Stijn (Ghent University) |
| Abstract: | This systematic literature review provides a state-of-the-art overview of the effectiveness of workplace interventions aimed at improving workers’ mental well-being. Specifically, it examines which types of interventions are effective for which aspects of mental well-being, both in the short and long term. To this end, we identify 125 randomised controlled trials comprising 147 interventions that vary in their objectives (prevention, treatment, or reintegration), targets (workers or work), methods (cognitive, meditation-based, physical, ergonomic, organisational, or multimethod) and delivery channels (offline, online or hybrid). Mental well-being outcomes are classified as biological and self-reported indicators of the three components of subjective mental well-being (evaluative, affective, and eudaimonic well-being). Overall, we find that, for preventing and treating early mental health symptoms, cognitive or meditation-based interventions targeting personal coping resources appear most promising. In contrast, successful reintegration seems to require a combination of cognitive and organisational interventions, with the latter addressing job demands and resources. |
| Keywords: | mental well-being, workplace, interventions, randomised controlled trials |
| JEL: | C93 I31 J28 |
| Date: | 2026–09 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:iza:izadps:dp18907 |
| By: | Eszter Timár (Corvinus University of Budapest); Hubert János Kiss (ELTE Centre for Economic and Regional Studies; Corvinus University of Budapest); Dániel Horn (ELTE Centre for Economic and Regional Studies; Corvinus University of Budapest) |
| Abstract: | Response time is increasingly used as a window to look into decision-making process in economic experiments. Yet its interpretation is ambiguous: a fast response may reflect quick comprehension or an impulsive choice. We show that the source of this ambiguity is conceptual and can be resolved by a simple design feature: the separation of instruction and decision screens. Using data from approximately 1, 100 students in a lab-in-the-field experiment linked to standardized test scores, we decompose total response time into comprehension time and deliberation time. We show that each component is informative in its own right. Comprehension time is correlated with cognitive ability, providing a cost-free ability proxy in any experiment with split screens. Deliberation time is independent of ability but responds to the structure of the choice: heuristic choices are faster and decisions near the indifference point take longer. The decomposition recovers behavioral patterns that total response time obscures. |
| Keywords: | response time; comprehension; deliberation; cognitive ability; experimental economics |
| JEL: | C90 C91 D83 |
| Date: | 2026–09 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:has:discpr:2611 |
| By: | Mohlin, Erik (Swedish Defense University); Rigos, Alexandros (University of Copenhagen) |
| Abstract: | We present a model of how an individual’s preference for a specific behaviour can evolve as an adaptation to her social environment. Our key assumptions are that the decision maker (DM) (i) is boundedly rational in her ability to process information and evaluate which actions yield the highest payoff and (ii) can develop a subjective preference for actions. A stronger preference for an action reduces the probability of not taking it when it is optimal (omission error), but it also increases the probability of taking the action when it is suboptimal (commission error). The optimally adapted preference strikes a balance between these errors and depends on the DM’s environment. DMs are typically better off (in objective terms) if they are endowed with subjective preferences that deviate from maximisation of expected objective payoff. Importantly, if DMs can evaluate actions perfectly, they do not develop such biases. The results extend in an intuitive manner to n-player, two-strategy supermodular games. Our framework can be used to interpret preferences for specific actions or strategies (e.g., conditional cooperation, truth-telling, or norm-following) as psychological and cultural consequences of material incentives and social organisation. |
| Keywords: | Preference evolution; Bounded rationality; Culture; Cooperation; Cognitive economics; Logit choice; Monotone comparative statics; Supermodular games |
| JEL: | C72 C73 D01 D83 D91 |
| Date: | 2026–09–09 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hhs:lunewp:2026_008 |