The role of social norms in the portion size effect: reducing normative relevance reduces the effect of portion size on consumption decisions

People typically eat more from large portions of food than from small portions. An explanation that has often been given for this so-called portion size effect is that the portion size acts as a social norm and as such communicates how much is appropriate to eat. In this paper, we tested this explanation by examining whether manipulating the relevance of the portion size as a social norm changes the portion size effect, as assessed by prospective consumption decisions. We conducted one pilot experiment and one full experiment in which participants respectively indicated how much they would eat or serve themselves from a given amount of different foods. In the pilot (N = 63), we manipulated normative relevance by allegedly basing the portion size on the behavior of either students of the own university (in-group) or of another university (out-group). In the main experiment (N = 321), we told participants that either a minority or majority of people similar to them approved of the portion size. Results show that in both experiments, participants expected to serve themselves and to eat more from larger than from smaller portions. As expected, however, the portion size effect was less pronounced when the reference portions were allegedly based on the behavior of an out-group (pilot) or approved only by a minority (main experiment). These findings suggest that the portion size indeed provides normative information, because participants were less influenced by it if it communicated the behaviors or values of a less relevant social group. In addition, in the main experiment, the relation between portion size and the expected amount served was partially mediated by the amount that was considered appropriate, suggesting that concerns about eating an appropriate amount indeed play a role in the portion size effect. However, since the portion size effect was weakened but not eliminated by the normative relevance manipulations and since mediation was only partial, other mechanisms may also play a role

Regulating COVID-19: what lessons can be learned from the handling of the 2009 swine flu pandemic by the EU and the WHO?

Given the unprecedented response of governments across the world to COVID-19, what lessons can be learned from the last pandemic to hit the world in 2009? Esther Versluis explains that a notable problem with the WHO’s response to the swine flu pandemic was that it downplayed the uncertain nature of information during the outbreak, prompting criticism of its advice. However, while the WHO appears to have learned from this mistake with COVID-19, we may well be in a worse position overall, with populism prompting even less trust in science and expertise, and fake news flourishing on social media

Problem-based learning and the relevance of teaching and learning European Studies in times of crises

The succession of economic and financial crises, the migration crisis, and, of course, Brexit have raised many questions about the future of the European Union. Such crises present challenges for teaching and learning European Studies. This article discusses the question how to maintain a relevant study programme while taking into account ever-changing societal developments. Based on a survey conducted among students of a Bachelor in European Studies, and a subsequent focus group discussion, we look at programme relevance and programme capacity to deal with societal change in the context of a problem-based learning environment. Our study reveals that problem-based learning, when applied consistently and correctly, is a good educational approach to ensure that a study programme is relevant and capable of capturing societal change. At the same time, students seem to prefer a more guided version of problem-based learning, which presents challenges concerning its possible contribution to teaching and learning in times of crises. While we discuss the situation in one specific BA programme, we will do so in light of general challenges in the fields of European Studies, International Relations, and Politics

Теоретичні засади методики оцінки ефективності виробничих і фінансових інвестицій

Исследуются общие экономические основы создания свободных экономических зон. Обоснованы предложения по усовершенствованию организационно-экономического механизма их функционирования в Украине.Досліджено загальні економічні засади створення вільних економічних зон. Обґрунтовано пропозиції щодо удосконалення організаційно-економічного механізму їх функціонування в Україні.The general economic bases of creation of free economic zones are investigated. It is proved offers concerning improvement of the organizational-economic mechanism of their functioning in Ukraine

Crisis as a Window of Opportunity for Regulatory Shifts and Institutional Reform: Insights from Policy Framing in European Financial Sector Regulation

This article examines the European response to complex financial crises. In particular it traces the debate on the revision of the financial services supervision, and demonstrates a major and abrupt shift in European financial governance with regard to two very important dimensions of every regulatory system: the locus and form of institutionalization (where the EU underwent a shift from a decentralized and network-based to a centralised and institutionalised regime), and the regulatory approach (where the EU embraces harmonization and standardisation after decades of support for mutual recognition). To illustrate these substantial shifts we conduct longitudinal qualitative content analysis of the European Council’s Presidency Conclusions from the start of the 1990s to 2013, and we study the position papers presented by banks and banking associations in the so-called De Larosière consultation round of 2009 (which determined the future of financial services supervision in the EU). In the aftermath of the crisis, we find surprising consensus for both: support for central institutions and harmonization

Effectiveness of Telemonitoring for Respiratory and Systemic Symptoms of Asthma and COPD:A Narrative Review

Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD) are highly prevalent chronic lung diseases that require ongoing self-management, which itself is often suboptimal. Therefore, telemonitoring has been used to help patients measure their symptoms, share data with healthcare providers and receive education and feedback to improve disease management. In this study, we conducted a narrative review of recent evidence on the effectiveness of telemonitoring for asthma and COPD in adults. Of the thirteen identified studies, eleven focused on COPD and two focused on asthma. All studies were reviewed, and effects were compared between intervention and care as usual groups. Of the study interventions, seven showed a positive outcome on at least one outcome measure, and six had no significant results on any of the outcome measures. All of the interventions with a positive outcome included an educational component, while only one of the six interventions without positive outcomes included an educational component. We conclude that telemonitoring interventions for asthma and COPD seem more effective if they included an educational component regarding different aspects of self-management