recent research

Keeping up with Kevin Lewis' log of recent research:

• Our sacred values - like other rules - are generally not up for sale.
• It really is the thought that counts - whether we're punishing free-riders, condemning the schadenfreuders, or enjoying the sweet taste of a gift.
• The loser's paradox: take a losing strategy, add in some fear, and you get more losing strategy.
• We're better at predicting others' behavior than our own.
• You're not imagining it: people are more likely to remember "that one time" you messed up.
• Raising money for a worthy cause? You may want make it hurt. Or get prospective donors to think of their childhood. Or be sure to focus on the somewhat rich and forget about the mega-rich. Or get them to do something exceptional or odd first. And don't forget to give your donors public recognition.
  
• Money changes everything - even if you're in kindergarten.
• Do people give to charities for the "warm glow" it gives them - or because they feel uncomfortable saying no? It's not the warm glow.
• Not sure why you would do this, but if you're ever thinking of subsidizing sharing, think again.
• More evidence that we're not really good at assessing our politicians' performances.
• Good news from the campaign front! We're more likely to hear positive campaign themes.
• Want to cut back on pork? Try term limits.
• Do voters prefer professionalized legislatures? Depends on their ideology.
• High voter turn-outs are great - unless you don't like budget deficits. Then again, deficits may not be a risk if voters are electing highly popular parties.
• Want to be smarter? Stop all that thinking and go with your gut. Pour yourself a drink.
• If life is a box of chocolates, we should live each day as if we're eating the last truffle.
• Groups are often thought to stifle creativity - but that may depend on how creative the groups are.
• Need to persuade someone? Try asking them to pretend to support some other random proposition first.
• How to get crowds to be wise about complex problems.