Giving in to social pressure

We develop a theory of charitable giving in which donors feel social pressure from a direct solicitation. We show that equilibrium donations are concentrated around a social norm. Despite a higher level of the public good, relatively poor and/or low altruism givers fare worse under social pressure and would avoid the solicitor at a cost. Aggregate donor welfare improves to the extent that the added social motive alleviates the underprovision of the public good; however, overprovision may result. Our theory therefore predicts a light-handed regulation for charitable solicitations, which is consistent with their exemption from the popular Do Not Call list in the U.S. We further show that contrary to pure altruism, a more equal income distribution may produce more of the public good. In fundraising campaigns where a social norm is not apparent, one may emerge endogenously if donors are not too heterogeneous. (C) 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved

Giving in to Group Pressure: The Impact of Socialization and Risk on Perceived Outcomes

The current study applies the perspective of decision theory to understanding how choices are made in an in-group setting involving social pressure and risk. Two hundred sixty-one undergraduate students provided assessments of consequences associated with illegally consuming alcohol in different environments with differing degrees of risk. In addition, size of the social group was varied as three, four, or nine. In order to determine the moderating effects, if any, of susceptibility to social influence, a measure of socialization was included. Results provide strong support for socialization as an explanation for how individuals interpret risk-related social situations

Effects of sex preference and social pressure on fertility in changing Japanese families

This study explored how social pressure related to parental preference for the sex of their children affects fertility. Pre-war and post-war generations were compared using individual level data previously collected in Japan in 2002. In the pre-war generation, if the first child was a daughter, the total number of children tended to increase regardless of the mother’s sex preference. This tendency was not observed for the post-war generation. Results suggest that social pressure related to giving birth to a son led to high fertility in the pre-war generation; however, fertility was not influenced by social pressure in the post-war generation.Fertility, son preference, social pressure, family structure

Effects of sex preference and social pressure on fertility in changing Japanese families

This study explored how social pressure related to parental preference for the sex of their children affects fertility. Pre-war and post-war generations were compared using individual level data previously collected in Japan in 2002. In the pre-war generation, if the first child was a daughter, the total number of children tended to increase not only when the mother preferred a son, but also when the mother did not have a preference for either gender. This tendency was not observed for the post-war generation. Results suggest that social pressure related to giving birth to a son led to high fertility in the pre-war generation; however, fertility was not influenced by social pressure in the post-war generation.Fertility, son preference, social pressure, family structure.

Evidence-Based Occupational Therapy Interventions for Children with Autism: Current Practices and Continuing Education in Minnesota

The purpose of this thesis was to investigate the use of non-evidence-based practices that are often used with children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) by occupational therapy practitioners, as well as continuing education necessary to better pediatric occupational therapy practice with children with ASD in Minnesota. This mixed-methods project utilized a website content analysis, survey, and focus group data to address the research questions. The study aimed to address: (1) How do pediatric occupational therapy practitioners in Minnesota understand evidence-based practice and apply evidence-based practice principles in their work with children with ASD? (2) How are the twelve specified interventions being used currently in pediatric occupational therapy practice for children with ASD in Minnesota? and (3) What are the next steps for supporting pediatric occupational therapy practitioners in Minnesota in being evidence- based for working with children with ASD? Findings from data analysis elucidated common themes and implications for pediatric occupational therapy practice with children with ASD in Minnesota. The first theme is occupational therapy practitioners are relying more on their clinical experience than evidence- based research when working with children with ASD. The second theme is many of these interventions are used to treat children with ASD without fidelity and by practitioners who haven’t been trained in them. Lastly, practitioners reported barriers to applying evidence-based practices, including lack of time, limited resources, affordability, workplace culture, and difficulty assessing evidence-based information. The majority of occupational therapy practitioners participating were school-based practitioners. If occupational therapy wants to continue to perform a relevant service in MN, occupational therapy practitioners must reflect on the evidence base for the interventions they are selecting as well as the extent their intervention choices address occupational participation in children with ASD. Increasing accessibility to continuing education and resources for evidence-based information is needed as well for occupational therapy practitioners working with children with ASD

Giving voice to jazz singers’ experiences of flow in improvisation

Jazz instrumentalists’ experiences of improvisation have informed psychological research on a range of topics including flow in improvisation, yet there is scant evidence of jazz singers’ improvising experiences. Using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), this study investigated the experiences of three professional Australian jazz singers who improvise extensively in their performance practice: How do these singers experience improvisation? IPA of semi-structured interviews with the singers resulted in two superordinate themes which both related to the flow state: 1) singers experienced flow when improvisation “went well”; 2) singers experienced flow as meaningful—flow provided singers with both the freedom to express the self and the opportunity to contribute to something beyond the self. These findings reveal a new context for flow experiences. Implications for vocal jazz education and practice are discussed

Family Foundation Giving Trends Report 2011

The fourth Family Foundation Giving Trends report is published in a climate of continued economic uncertainty and against the backdrop of a shrinking budget for the state’s provision of vital social services. Inevitably, this places greater pressure on philanthropy to fill the funding gap and to increase its effectiveness and social impact. The UK has, of course, a long philanthropic tradition, from pioneers like Sir Henry Wellcome to contemporary benefactors such as J K Rowling. As a proportion of the country’s GDP, the UK’s philanthropists score well, outstripping the United States in the family giving league, though not in giving overall. While we should feel proud of this level of engagement, we should also champion the increasingly sophisticated work being done to develop more effective strategies in charitable giving today. As president of the Cranfield Trust, I am hugely impressed by its established programme of providing volunteers who have MBA degrees or other postgraduate professional qualifications, working with a growing number of leading international business schools to improve the systems and processes with which charities operate. Every charitable cause is noble, of course, and every donation deserved. From my own experience, however, a focused and structured approach to giving can go so much further. With that in mind, we set up the Doughty Family Foundation to provide clear focus around a core set of charitable themes that resonate at a personal level with members of our family. The foundation allows us to monitor and measure the impact of our philanthropic efforts more effectively. It also helps us to take a longer-term perspective and build up a deeper understanding of the areas and issues in which we engage. I have worked in the private equity industry for over 25 years and am all too aware of the inexorable rise of shareholder value during that time. The drive towards greater efficiency within organisations and the pursuit of improved productivity has certainly created lots of shareholder value; undeniably, however, it has also widened the divisions between the haves and have-nots. Philanthropy is one important area that can help to address these imbalances. When it is done effectively, it is far more than just redistributing capital. It can forge the development of sustainable social enterprises, foster entrepreneurial skills and establish centres of research that result in new and better forms of social investment. This annual report is a valuable and practical tool. The data it captures not only improves our understanding of the state of philanthropy in the UK but also provides a focal point for thought leaders in philanthropy to come together, share best practice and increase their impac

Effects of sex preference and social pressure on fertility in changing Japanese families

This study explored how social pressure related to parental preference for the sex of their children affects fertility. Pre-war and post-war generations were compared using individual level data previously collected in Japan in 2002. In the pre-war generation, if the first child was a daughter, the total number of children tended to increase not only when the mother preferred a son, but also when the mother did not have a preference for either gender. This tendency was not observed for the post-war generation. Results suggest that social pressure related to giving birth to a son led to high fertility in the pre-war generation; however, fertility was not influenced by social pressure in the post-war generation. This was because of a change in the influence of the traditional marriage system.Fertility, son preference, social pressure, family structure

A simple stress test of experimenter demand effects

As a stress test of experimenter demand effects, we run an experiment where subjects can physically destroy coupons awarded to them. About one subject out of three does. Giving money back to the experimenter is possible in a separate task but is more consistent with an experimenter demand effect than an explanation based on altruism towards the experimenter. A measure of sensitivity to social pressure helps predict destruction when social information is provided

International Giving

In this paper, we explore how the cultural identity of donors in the UK, who have their roots in other countries around the world, is combining with philanthropic innovation to create an exciting blend. More specifically, we compare the approach of those who identify their origins in the Indian subcontinent or the Asia Pacific region, with those who identify more strongly with a British heritage. What we find is that diaspora donors are highly engaged and are exploring the potential of new approaches to giving, in order to drive change here and in their countries of origin.These findings are based on a sample of 1,000 UK-based wealthy donors, who took part in research on their philanthropic activity at the end of 2013 for Charities Aid Foundation (CAF). Of the total, roughly one-quarter identified as being of Indian subcontinent or Asia Pacific origin