Simple models for multi-attribute choice with many alternatives: When it does and does not pay to face tradeoffs with binary attributes

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Testing I(1) against I(d) alternatives in the presence of deteministic components

This paper discusses the role of deterministic components in the DGP and in the auxiliaryregression model which underlies the implementation of the Fractional Dickey-Fuller (FDF) test for I(1) against I(d) processes with d [0, 1). This is an important test in many economic applications because I(d) processess with d < 1 are mean-reverting although, when 0.5 = d < 1, like I(1) processes, they are nonstationary. We show how simple is the implementation of the FDF in these situations, and argue that it has better properties than LM tests. A simple testing strategy entailing only asymptotically normally distributedtests is also proposed. Finally, an empirical application is provided where the FDF test allowing for deterministic components is used to test for long-memory in the per capita GDP of several OECD countries, an issue that has important consequences to discriminate between growth theories, and on which there is some controversy.

Condition physique et pratiques sportives des jeunes dans le canton de Vaud

[Objectifs de la recherche] I. Mesurer la condition physique des enfants et des adolescents vaudois de 9 à 19 ans (physical fitness) à l'aide de tests standardisés. - II. Standardiser (normes par tranches d'âge et par sexes séparés) dans le contexte suisse des tests de condition physique, notamment Eurofit et Swissfit, permettant des comparaisons avec d'autres pays et un suivi longitudinal des performances. - III. Etudier les relations entre cette condition physique et la santé et les styles de vie, à savoir avec: 1. des critères anthropométriques; 2. l'activité physique et les pratiques sportives (physical activity); 3. les styles de vie (alimentation, usage de tabac, habitudes de vie en général, prise de risque); 4. certaines caractéristiques psychologiques comme les perceptions, la tendance à prendre des risques, l'image de soi. [Auteurs, p. 8]

Satisfaction in choice as a function of the number of alternatives: When "goods satiate" but "bads escalate"

Whereas people are typically thought to be better off with more choices, studiesshow that they often prefer to choose from small as opposed to large sets of alternatives.We propose that satisfaction from choice is an inverted U-shaped function of thenumber of alternatives. This proposition is derived theoretically by considering thebenefits and costs of different numbers of alternatives and is supported by fourexperimental studies. We also manipulate the perceptual costs of information processingand demonstrate how this affects the resulting satisfaction function. We furtherindicate that satisfaction when choosing from a given set is diminished if people aremade aware of the existence of other choice sets. The role of individual differences insatisfaction from choice is documented by noting effects due to gender and culture. Weconclude by emphasizing the need to have an explicit rationale for knowing how muchchoice is enough.