scholarly journals Accounting for Changing Tastes: Approaches to Explaining Unstable Individual Preferences

2016 ◽  
Vol 67 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Jacobs
Keyword(s):  
Economic Theory ◽  
Empirical Evidence ◽  
Reference Point ◽  
Consumer Theory ◽  
Preference Change ◽  
Methodological Issues ◽  
Social And Emotional ◽  
Individual Preferences ◽  
Alternative Approaches ◽  
New Consumer

AbstractStandard economic theory assumes individual preferences to be fixed and exogenously given. This view has been challenged by numerous empirical observations. In reaction to those challenges, economic theory has been modified, mostly by including additional arguments into individuals’ utility functions. Among the approaches that tackle preference change are new consumer theory, habit formation, interdependent and status preferences, social and emotional influences, and reference point-dependent preferences. Hence, while standard economics largely abide by their assumption of stable preferences, an array of alternative approaches is now available to account for changing tastes. Some of these approaches are old and have been discussed in the literature for many decades while others are younger. However, all approaches have in common that they, in some cases surprisingly, have not made it to standard microeconomics textbooks. This survey aims at putting the approaches in perspective. For each of them, empirical evidence as well as methodological issues are discussed.

A Realist Perspective on Contemporary "Economic Theory" (Foreword by O. Ananyin)

2006 ◽  
pp. 75-98 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Lawson
Keyword(s):  
Economic Theory ◽  
Life Events ◽  
Alternative Model ◽  
Economic Life ◽  
Social Phenomenon ◽  
Methodological Issues ◽  
Neoclassical Theory ◽  
Fundamental Feature ◽  
Major Powers ◽  
Realist Perspective

The author elaborates on methodological issues of current tendencies in neoclassical theory and demonstrates the necessity of an alternative model of science, which he calls "realist". According to this perspective, constant and regular conjunctions of economic life events should not be the main object of analysis. Rather, the author proposes to consider structures and mechanisms governing events in question. Instead of deductivism, which, as Lawson believes, is a fundamental feature of orthodox economics, the abductive method of economic explanation is proposed that entails investigation of major powers, on which any social phenomenon depends. Society is thereby regarded not as a closed, but rather as an open system.

Are Jobs and the Quality of the Environment Mutually Exclusive?

1995 ◽  
Vol 27 (5) ◽  
pp. 781-791 ◽  
Author(s):  
O Izraeli ◽  
L Mobley
Keyword(s):  
Economic Growth ◽  
Economic Theory ◽  
Empirical Evidence ◽  
Environmental Quality ◽  
General Public ◽  
Maintenance Costs ◽  
Trade Off

In this paper it is shown that there is no support in economic theory for the suggested trade-off between jobs and the environment. Moreover, improved environmental quality may accelerate economic growth via improved health and productivity of workers, lower maintenance costs, and enhanced productivity of capital inputs. Also, empirical evidence is presented on the preference of the general public regarding environmental quality. The empirical evidence indicates that people are ready to trade part of their income for improved environmental quality.

“I Know Correlation Doesn’t Prove Causation, but . . .”: Are We Jumping to Unfounded Conclusions About the Causes of Sexual Offending?

Sexual Abuse ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 220-236 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kevin L. Nunes ◽  
Chloe I. Pedneault ◽  
W. Eric Filleter ◽  
Sacha Maimone ◽  
Carolyn Blank ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Empirical Evidence ◽  
Scientific Knowledge ◽  
Sexual Offending ◽  
Research Community ◽  
Methodological Issues ◽  
Methodological Rigor ◽  
Research Designs ◽  
Differences Of Opinion ◽  
Information Sensitivity ◽  
Effectiveness And Efficiency

Identifying causes of sexual offending is the foundation of effective and efficient assessment, intervention, and policy aimed at reducing sexual offending. However, studies vary in methodological rigor and the inferences they support, and there are differences of opinion about the conclusions that can be drawn from ambiguous evidence. To explore how researchers in this area interpret the available empirical evidence, we asked authors of articles published in relevant specialized journals to identify (a) an important factor that may lead to sexual offending, (b) a study providing evidence of a relationship between that factor and sexual offending, and (c) the inferences supported by that study. Many participants seemed to endorse causal interpretations and conclusions that went beyond the methodological rigor of the study they identified. Our findings suggest that some researchers may not be adequately considering methodological issues when making inferences about the causes of sexual offending. Although it is difficult to conduct research in this area and all research designs can provide valuable information, sensitivity to the limits methodology places on inferences is important for the sake of accuracy and integrity, and to stimulate more informative research. We propose that increasing attention to methodology in the research community through better training and standards will advance scientific knowledge about the causes of sexual offending, and improve the effectiveness and efficiency of practice and policy.

scholarly journals Combining Cultural Anthropology and Gerontology

GeroPsych ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anamaria Depner
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Anthropology ◽  
Practical Application ◽  
Methodological Issues ◽  
Practical Applications ◽  
Alternative Approaches ◽  
And Migration

Abstract. One of the central objectives of gerontology is to provide categories and criteria for practical application. In contrast, cultural anthropology describes and interprets processes observed in various practical contexts but does not aim to create practical applications. For concepts such as “culture,” this discrepancy in goals might be the source of misunderstandings and even conflicting definitions. Bringing together the perspectives of both disciplines on culture, this paper illustrates the pitfalls of an understanding of culture grounded in geographical origins. It focuses on the situation in Germany and thereby addresses a universal problem using certain conceptions of culture in the context of aging and migration. In conclusion, it presents alternative approaches, while also addressing methodological issues.

scholarly journals The crisis in economics – nature and ways to overcome it

2019 ◽  
Vol 89 (1) ◽  
pp. 24-37
Author(s):  
A. D. Nekipelov
Keyword(s):  
Economic Theory ◽  
Economic System ◽  
Economic Crisis ◽  
Economic Science ◽  
Mainstream Economic ◽  
Pure Science ◽  
Economic Problems ◽  
Neoclassical Economic Theory ◽  
Multiple Alternative ◽  
Alternative Approaches

Recent decades have witnessed an upsurge in multiple alternative approaches to unraveling major economic problems, together with the mainstream economic theory, which in this study has been considered an indicator of economic crisis. In this study, we attribute institutional stasis, as well as methodological heterogeneity of its two constituent sections, micro- and macroeconomics, to the primary drawbacks of neoclassical economic theory. Overcoming the crisis of economic science correlates with the creation of a general economic theory on the principles of “pure science,” with elucidated functions of various socioeconomic disciplines. If “pure economic theory” intends to form an intellectual layout of the economic system, then the “realistic sciences,” also including modern macroeconomics in this study, are tools for analyzing specific socioeconomic phenomena and processes. As people with consciousness and interests act in the society, this study postulates the existence of a certain zone of ambiguity, which cannot be entirely covered.

Revisiting the Study of Family Businesses: Methodological Challenges, Dilemmas, and Alternative Approaches

1998 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 239-252 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary Winter ◽  
Margaret A. Fitzgerald ◽  
Ramona K. Z. Heck ◽  
George W. Haynes ◽  
Sharon M. Danes
Keyword(s):  
Empirical Evidence ◽  
Family Business ◽  
Methodological Approach ◽  
Family Businesses ◽  
Business Research ◽  
Internal Dynamics ◽  
Methodological Challenges ◽  
The Family ◽  
Alternative Approaches ◽  
Social Units

Family businesses are vital but understudied economic and social units. Previous family business research is limited relative to its definitions, sampling, and resulting empirical evidence. This paper presents an alternative methodological approach to the study of family businesses with the potential for allowing multiperspective and detailed analyses of the nature and internal dynamics of both the family and the business and the interaction between the two.

Condom migration resulting from circumcision, microbicides and vaccines: brief review and methodological considerations

Sexual Health ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 96 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard A. Crosby ◽  
JaNelle Ricks ◽  
April Young
Keyword(s):  
Empirical Evidence ◽  
Male Circumcision ◽  
English Language ◽  
Allied Health ◽  
Entire Body ◽  
Methodological Issues ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Cumulative Index ◽  
Methodological Considerations ◽  
Biomedical Interventions

Objective: To provide an updated review of condom migration as a means of highlighting methodological issues for future studies of this behavioural issue. Methods: Electronic searches of PubMed, MEDLINE and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) databases were carried out in October 2010 and updated in January 2011 for English-language articles published from 1994 onward. Results:Evidence addressing condom migration from microbicides and vaccines is vastly underdeveloped, simply because these products are still experimental. In contrast, the more advanced evidence regarding male circumcision is hopeful because it suggests that migration may not be an overwhelming issue. Nonetheless, the entire body of empirical evidence on this question could be substantially expanded and improved. Conclusion: Until stronger evidence suggests that condom migration is unlikely, it is important to be mindful of the potential for condom migration to occur in response to biomedical interventions (circumcision, microbicides and vaccines).

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