Three Essays in Experimental and Network Economics

This dissertation consists of the three essays in network and experimental economics. The first essay explores the importance of endogenous bilateral connections and punishment networks in public good settings. I conduct a laboratory experiment that varies the incentive to form links among participants in a traditional Voluntary Contribution Mechanism game. I find that when link benefits are zero very few connections are formed, and very little punishment takes place. When link benefits are positive many links are formed and cooperation levels are increased. In general, we find evidence that participants strategically use the bilateral linking process to avoid punishment and find significant differences in the impacts of the bilateral link formation process when compared with exogenous punishment institutions. The second essay studies heterogeneity in sequential Tullock contests in the form of increased prize valuations and probabilistic entry, in a theoretical and laboratory setting. Building upon a new modelling technique, I generate theoretical hypotheses about the impact of heterogeneity in sequential contests. Specifically, a change in prize valuation or effort cost has the largest impact when the individual with the heterogenous valuation moves earlier in the contest. We then design a laboratory test and find support for theoretical predictions. We also find evidence that overbidding tends to increase as players move later in the contest. Further, we find an interesting behavioral result that we call a Winning Probability heuristic. For final players in sequential contests, many subjects make decisions consistent with choosing a winning probability rather than expected payoff maximization predicted by Nash Equilibrium theory. The final essay adapts a theoretical model commonly used in pricing of goods on a network with consumption complementarities to a setting that deals with telecommuting and flexible work arrangements. I provide an example of how allowing an employee to work from home can impact connectivity among employees and firm profitability. I show that the network of employees, wage structure, and the position of the employee in the network are all important determinants on whether a working from home arrangement is profitable. I then explicitly model how a firm can invest to influence the connectivity of their employees through investments that facilitate connections among employees such as providing an office space, hosting get togethers, or setting up a team chat function for remote workers. I also find that optimal expenditure in facilitating connections has a nonlinear relationship to the cost

Emerging Adults’ Experiences as Receivers of Sexually Transmitted Infection Disclosures from Sexual Partners: A Three-Part Examination

Each year in the United States, over 20 million cases of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are diagnosed, mostly among those in the developmental period of emerging adulthood (ages 18-29). Research on STI disclosure to romantic and sexual partners has increased over the last two decades, but this research has (a) generally lacked a developmental and theoretical focus, (b) not examined disclosure recipients, and (c) not been systematically and critically synthesized. To address these limitations, I conducted a three-part examination. First, I systematically reviewed the STI disclosure literature and summarized findings, critical limitations, and future research and intervention directions. Next, I designed two cross-sectional studies to understand emerging adults’ experiences as receivers of hypothetical (Study 1, N = 243) and actual (Study 2, N = 88) STI disclosures from sexual partners. After developing the STI Disclosure Reactions Measure (SDRM), I conducted exploratory (Study 1) and confirmatory (Study 2) factor analyses. I examined how STI type (bacterial or viral), relationship type (non-committed or committed), and participant gender differentiated reactions. In Study 1, women anticipated more negative reactions and were less likely to anticipate avoiding the discloser. Men anticipated more anxious and guilty reactions in committed relationships, whereas women anticipated more in non-committed relationships. In Study 2, men had more negative, anxious, and guilty reactions when a bacterial STI was disclosed, whereas women’s reactions did not differ based on STI type. Finally, I discuss limitations and implications for future research, sexual health education, intervention, and practice

Bayesian Spatial Binary Regression for Label Fusion in Structural Neuroimaging

Many analyses of neuroimaging data involve studying one or more regions of interest (ROIs) in a brain image. In order to do so, each ROI must first be identified. Since every brain is unique, the location, size, and shape of each ROI varies across subjects. Thus, each ROI in a brain image must either be manually identified or (semi-) automatically delineated, a task referred to as segmentation. Automatic segmentation often involves mapping a previously manually segmented image to a new brain image and propagating the labels to obtain an estimate of where each ROI is located in the new image. A more recent approach to this problem is to propagate labels from multiple manually segmented atlases and combine the results using a process known as label fusion. To date, most label fusion algorithms either employ voting procedures or impose prior structure and subsequently find the maximum a posteriori estimator (i.e., the posterior mode) through optimization. We propose using a fully Bayesian spatial regression model for label fusion that facilitates direct incorporation of covariate information while making accessible the entire posterior distribution. We discuss the implementation of our model via Markov chain Monte Carlo and illustrate the procedure through both simulation and application to segmentation of the hippocampus, an anatomical structure known to be associated with Alzheimer's disease.Comment: 24 pages, 10 figure

Octopus-Inspired Grasp-Synergies for Continuum Manipulators

Human operation of continuum “continuous-backbone” manipulators remains difficult, because of both the complex kinematics of these manipulators and the need to coordinate their many degrees of freedom. We present a novel synergy-based approach for operator interfaces, by introducing a series of octopus-arm inspired grasp-synergies. These grasp-synergies automatically coordinate the degrees of freedom of the continuum manipulator, allowing an operator to perform kinematically complex grasping motions through simple and intuitive joystick inputs. This effectively reduces the complexity of operation and allows the operator to devote more of his attention to higher-level concerns (e.g. goal, environment). We demonstrate the grasp-synergies interface design in both simulation and hardware using the nine degree of freedom Octarm continuum manipulator

Eudaimonic Conceptions of Well-being, Meaning in Life, and Self-Reported Well-Being: Initial Test of a Mediational Model

The current study examined relationships between eudaimonic dimensions of individual conceptions of well-being (e.g., self-development, contribution), meaning in life, and self-reported well-being, and whether meaning in life mediates associations between eudaimonic conception dimensions and well-being. A sample of 275 adult volunteers completed several instruments assessing the above constructs. Results from structural equation modeling (SEM) indicated that eudaimonic conception dimensions were positively associated with both meaning in life and well-being. Further, the relationship between eudaimonic conception dimensions and self-reported well-being was found to be partially mediated by meaning in life. The findings of the current study thus suggest that the experience of meaning in life is one route through which eudaimonic conception of well-being dimensions are associated with self-reported well-being

The compartment bag test (CBT) for enumerating fecal indicator bacteria: Basis for design and interpretation of results

For the past several years, the compartment bag test (CBT) has been employed in water quality monitoring and public health protection around the world. To date, however, the statistical basis for the design and recommended procedures for enumerating fecal indicator bacteria (FIB) concentrations from CBT results have not been formally documented. Here, we provide that documentation following protocols for communicating the evolution of similar water quality testing procedures. We begin with an overview of the statistical theory behind the CBT, followed by a description of how that theory was applied to determine an optimal CBT design. We then provide recommendations for interpreting CBT results, including procedures for estimating quantiles of the FIB concentration probability distribution, and the confidence of compliance with recognized water quality guidelines. We synthesize these values in custom user-oriented 'look-up' tables similar to those developed for other FIB water quality testing methods. Modified versions of our tables are currently distributed commercially as part of the CBT testing kit

Initial Validation of an Instrument Measuring Psychology-Specific Epistemological Beliefs

Psychology-specific epistemological beliefs are believed to influence students’ approach to and performance in psychology courses. However, empirical research on this topic is limited due in part to a lack of well-validated instruments measuring this construct. The primary objective of the current research was to develop and validate the PsychologySpecific Epistemological Belief Scale (Psych-SEBS), a short self-report instrument measuring psychology-specific epistemological beliefs. Study 1 addresses the structural validity, internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and convergent validity of the PsychSEBS. Study 2 addresses the criterion-related and incremental validity of the PsychSEBS. Findings indicated acceptable psychometric properties of this instrument and its 3 subscales: significance of psychology research, subjective nature of psychology knowledge, and predictability of human behavior. Scores on Psych-SEBS scales were significantly associated with construct-relevant outcomes, including student interest and performance in psychology courses, and explained unique variance in these outcomes beyond that explained by existing instruments

Participation as a tool for development : San Luis de Pigulca, Ecuador

Poverty among indigenous people in rural Ecuador, such as in San Luís de Pigulca, a small village outside the city of Otavalo, in the Imbabura Province is pronounced. A primary problem was the tendency of community members to depend on a single champion to achieve development initiatives. The program manager embraced participatory methodology blending it with the cultural value of "minga," to help community members lead and own the process of bringing about positive change. In this project, members of the community have carried out community gardening using local resources and skills. Initial monitoring results pointed to the project being on the right track but more than two years are necessary to critically evaluate and assess the value of participation in self-driven development. (Author abstract)McMahan, R. D. (2010). Participation as a tool for development San Luis de Pigulca, Ecuador. Retrieved from http://academicarchive.snhu.eduMaster of Science (M.S.)School of Community Economic Developmen