Suchergebnisse

This paper analyses the effects of a social assistance reform in Germany. In contrast to studies which are based on microsimulation methods we use a computable general equilibrium model which incorporates a discrete choice model of labour supply to simulate a variety of reform scenarios. The main contribution is that we are able to identify general equilibrium effects of a reform on wages and unemployment. The simulation results show that general equilibrium wage reactions tend to mitigate labour supply effects. Moreover, the simulations indicate that substantial employment effects are to be expected only from major cuts in welfare payments.

"Die Studie diskutiert theoretische und methodische Konzepte zur Erforschung von Risikowahrnehmung und Risikoakzeptanz in nutzentheoretischer Perspektive. Es werden verschiedene theoretische Modelle und empirische Untersuchungsergebnisse der Risikoforschung aus der Sicht der normativen und deskriptiven Entscheidungsforschung und der kognitiven Einstellungsforschung in kritischer Hinsicht analysiert. Insbesondere nutzt die Studie die theoretischen Modelle der 'theory of reasoned action' (TRA) von Fishbein/ Ajzen und der '(cumulative) prospect theory' (CPT) von Kahneman/ Tversky um zu zeigen, dass ein erweiterter 'subjective expected utility' (SEU)-Ansatz, dessen Entscheidungsalgorithmus um heuristische Mechanismen der Urteilsbildung erweitert wurde, eine adäquate und erklärungskräftige Modellierung von Risikowahrnehmung und Risikoakzeptanz ermöglicht." (Autorenreferat)

Attention and the closely related concept of salience play an important role in the complex process of human decision-making. In 2012, Bordalo et al. (2012a) proposed a theory on human decision-making that is based on salience. They suggest that salience differences within a decision problem may explain many decision biases. Concerning decisions under risk, Bordalo and colleagues developed a formula to calculate salience differences that are shaped by bottom-up processes. These salience differences have been experimentally investigated. Reaction times in a dot-probe task served as indicator of attentional biases. Data revealed a significant salience effect after a lottery exposure duration of 150 ms. This supports the salience concept proposed by Bordalo et al. (2012a) and suggests an early attentional orienting towards salient payoffs. In order to further differentiate attentional processes involved in the salience effect EEG has been recorded. Different ERP-components may indicate attentional biases at different stages of attentional processing and give a hint at more detailed reasons behind the salience effect. All investigated components, namely, P1, N1, P3a and P3b, showed no significant salience differences. Part III presents a further experiment that was devoted to nudges. These interventions often work by altering the salience within a decision problem or by directing the attention to the decision task itself. Since these interventions influence decisions at least partly on an unconscious level, nudges are subject to criticism. The experiment aimed at investigating the effect of transparent information accompanying the nudges on their efficacy. In line with previous research adding information on the nudge itself, on its purpose and the combination of both had no significant effect on the efficacy of the nudge, even though this additional information again alters salience ratios within the decision problem.

Attention and the closely related concept of salience play an important role in the complex process of human decision-making. In 2012, Bordalo et al. (2012a) proposed a theory on human decision-making that is based on salience. They suggest that salience differences within a decision problem may explain many decision biases. Concerning decisions under risk, Bordalo and colleagues developed a formula to calculate salience differences that are shaped by bottom-up processes. These salience differences have been experimentally investigated. Reaction times in a dot-probe task served as indicator of attentional biases. Data revealed a significant salience effect after a lottery exposure duration of 150 ms. This supports the salience concept proposed by Bordalo et al. (2012a) and suggests an early attentional orienting towards salient payoffs. In order to further differentiate attentional processes involved in the salience effect EEG has been recorded. Different ERP-components may indicate attentional biases at different stages of attentional processing and give a hint at more detailed reasons behind the salience effect. All investigated components, namely, P1, N1, P3a and P3b, showed no significant salience differences. Part III presents a further experiment that was devoted to nudges. These interventions often work by altering the salience within a decision problem or by directing the attention to the decision task itself. Since these interventions influence decisions at least partly on an unconscious level, nudges are subject to criticism. The experiment aimed at investigating the effect of transparent information accompanying the nudges on their efficacy. In line with previous research adding information on the nudge itself, on its purpose and the combination of both had no significant effect on the efficacy of the nudge, even though this additional information again alters salience ratios within the decision problem.

"In Deutschland erzielen Mädchen inzwischen durchschnittlich bessere Schulabschlüsse und weisen zumindest bis in die Hochschule etwas erfolgreichere Bildungsverläufe auf als Jungen. Allerdings scheinen Mädchen und junge Frauen ihre erworbenen Qualifikationen und Kompetenzen beim Übergang in den Arbeitsmarkt nicht so gut nutzen zu können. Ihr Berufswahlspektrum ist deutlich enger und sie wählen eher Berufe mit schlechteren Karrierechancen und geringerer Bezahlung als Jungen. Hier setzen Berufseinstiegsmentorings an, die allerdings meistens beim Übergang von der Hochschule in den Beruf und selten beim Übergang in eine berufliche Ausbildung unterstützen. Genau das ist aber die Zielsetzung des Zweigs 'Ausbildung' im 'Ada-Lovelace- Projekt', in dem es darum geht, Mädchen insbesondere zur Wahl eines Berufs im naturwissenschaftlich-technischen und IT-Bereich zu ermutigen. Besonderheiten, Chancen und Grenzen eines solchen Mentoring-Angebots sollen anhand dieses Beispiels dargestellt und über Ergebnisse zweier durchgeführter Evaluationsstudien soll berichtet werden." (Autorenreferat)