Monday, May 6, 2019

Crime can be successfully reduced by changing the situational environment that potential victims and offenders face: They report the first experimental evidence on the effect of street lighting on crime

Reducing Crime Through Environmental Design: Evidence from a Randomized Experiment of Street Lighting in New York City. Aaron Chalfin, Benjamin Hansen, Jason Lerner, Lucie Parker. NBER Working Paper No. 25798, May 2019. https://www.nber.org/papers/w25798

Abstract: This paper offers experimental evidence that crime can be successfully reduced by changing the situational environment that potential victims and offenders face. We focus on a ubiquitous but surprisingly understudied feature of the urban landscape – street lighting – and report the first experimental evidence on the effect of street lighting on crime. Through a unique public partnership in New York City, temporary streetlights were randomly allocated to public housing developments from March through August 2016. We find evidence that communities that were assigned more lighting experienced sizable reductions in crime. After accounting for potential spatial spillovers, we find that the provision of street lights led, at a minimum, to a 36 percent reduction in nighttime outdoor index crimes.

As experiences of pleasure & displeasure, hedonics are omnipresent in daily life; as core processes, they accompany emotions, motivation, bodily states, &c; optimal hedonic functioning seems the basis of well-being & aesthetic experiences

The Role of Hedonics in the Human Affectome. Susanne Becker et al. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, May 6 2019. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2019.05.003

Highlights
•    As experiences of pleasure and displeasure, hedonics are omnipresent in daily life.
•    As core processes, hedonics accompany emotions, motivation, bodily states, etc.
•    Orbitofrontal cortex and nucleus accumbens appear to be hedonic brain hubs.
•    Several mental illnesses are characterized by altered hedonic experiences.
•    Optimal hedonic functioning seems the basis of well-being and aesthetic experiences.

Abstract: Experiencing pleasure and displeasure is a fundamental part of life. Hedonics guide behavior, affect decision-making, induce learning, and much more. As the positive and negative valence of feelings, hedonics are core processes that accompany emotion, motivation, and bodily states. Here, the affective neuroscience of pleasure and displeasure that has largely focused on the investigation of reward and pain processing, is reviewed. We describe the neurobiological systems of hedonics and factors that modulate hedonic experiences (e.g., cognition, learning, sensory input). Further, we review maladaptive and adaptive pleasure and displeasure functions in mental disorders and well-being, as well as the experience of aesthetics. As a centerpiece of the Human Affectome Project, language used to express pleasure and displeasure was also analyzed, and showed that most of these analyzed words overlap with expressions of emotions, actions, and bodily states. Our review shows that hedonics are typically investigated as processes that accompany other functions, but the mechanisms of hedonics (as core processes) have not been fully elucidated.

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2.2.1.1 Animal work
Early investigations of the functional neuroanatomy of pleasure and reward in mammals stemmed from the seminal work by Olds and Milner (Olds & Milner, 1954). A series of pioneering experiments showed that rodents tend to increase instrumental lever-pressing to deliver brief, direct intracranial electrical stimulation of septal nuclei. Interestingly, rodents and other non human animals would maintain this type of self-stimulation for hours, working until reaching complete physical exhaustion (Olds, 1958). This work led to the popular description of the neurotransmitter dopamine as the ‘happy hormone’.

However, subsequent electrophysiological and voltammetric assessments as well as microdialysis clearly show that dopamine does not drive the hedonic experience of reward (liking), but rather the motivation to obtain such reward (wanting), that is the instrumental behavior of reward-driven actions (Berridge & Kringelbach, 2015; Wise, 1978). Strong causal evidence for this idea has emerged from rodent studies, including pharmacologically blocking of dopamine receptors or using genetic knockdown mutations in rodents. When dopamine is depleted or dopamine neurons destroyed, reward related instrumental behavior significantly decreases with animals becoming oblivious to previously rewarding stimuli (Baik, 2013; Schultz, 1998). In contrast, hyperdopaminergic mice with dopamine transporter knockdown mutations exhibit largely enhanced acquisition and greater incentive performance for rewards (Pecina et al., 2003). These studies show that phasic release of dopamine specifically acts as a signal of incentive salience, which underlies reinforcement learning (Salamone & Correa, 2012; Schultz, 2013).  Such dopaminergic functions have been related to the mesocorticolimbic circuitry: Microinjections to pharmacologically stimulate dopaminergic neurons in specific sub-regions of the nucleus accumbens (NA) selectively enhance wanting with no effects on liking. However, microinjections to stimulate opioidergic neurons increase the hedonic impact of sucrose reward and wanting responses, likely caused by opioid-induced dopamine release (Johnson & North, 1992). Importantly, different populations of neurons in the ventral pallidum (as part of the mesocorticolimbic circuitry) track specifically the pharmacologically induced enhancements of hedonic and motivational signals (Smith et al., 2011).

The double dissociation of the neural systems underlying wanting and liking has been confirmed many times (Laurent et al., 2012), leading to the concept that positive hedonic responses (liking) are specifically mediated in the brain by endogenous opioids in ‘hedonic hot-spots’ (Pecina et al., 2006). The existence of such hedonic hot-spots has been confirmed in the NA, ventral pallidum, and parabrachial nucleus of the pons (Berridge & Kringelbach, 2015).  In addition, some evidence suggests further hot-spots in the insula and orbitofrontal cortex (OFC; Castro & Berridge, 2017).

Hedonic hot-spots in the brain might be important not only to generate the feeling of pleasure, but also to maintain a certain level of pleasure. In line with this assumption, damage to hedonic hot-spots in the ventral pallidum can transform pleasure into displeasure, illustrating that there is no clear-cut border between neurobiological mechanisms of pleasure and displeasure but rather many intersections. For example sweet sucrose taste, normally inducing strong liking responses, elicits negative and disgust reactions in rats after the damage of a hedonic hot-spot in the ventral pallidum (Ho & Berridge, 2014). In addition to hot-spots that might be essential in maintaining a certain pleasure level, ‘cold spots’ have been found in the NA, ventral pallidum, OFC, and insula. In such cold-spots, opioidergic stimulation suppresses liking responses, which in hot spots causes a stark increase in liking responses (Castro & Berridge, 2014, 2017). A balanced interplay between cold- and hot-spots within the same brain regions such as the NA, ventral pallidum, OFC, and insula may allow for a sophisticated control of positive and negative hedonic responses (see ‘affective keyboard’ in Section 2.2.3). In line with such an assumed sophisticated control, it has to be noted that hedonic hot- and cold-spots are not to be hardwired in the brain. Depending, for example, on external factors creating stressful or pleasant, relaxed environments, the coding of valence can change in such hot-spots from positive to negative and vice versa (Berridge, 2019). Such phenomena have been observed in the NA (Richard & Berridge, 2011) and amygdala (Flandreau et al., 2012; Warlow et al., 2017), likely contributing to a fine-tuned control of hedonic responses dependent on environmental factors.

2.2.1.2. Human work

Confirming results from animal research, a brain network termed the ‘reward circuit’ has been described in human research, which includes the cortico-ventral basal ganglia system, including the ventral striatum (VS) and midbrain (i.e., the ventral tegmental area; Gottfried, 2011; Richards et al., 2013).  Within the reward circuit, reward-linked information is processed across a circuit that involves glutamatergic projections from the OFC and anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), as well as dopaminergic projections from the midbrain into the VS (Richards et al., 2013).

However, as previously described, reward cannot be equated with pleasure, given that reward processing comprises wanting and liking (Berridge et al., 2009; Reynolds & Berridge, 2008). Further, reward processing is modulated by subjective value and utility, which is formed by individual needs, desires, homeostatic states, and situational influences (Rangel et al., 2008). As such, pleasure as a core process is most closely related to ‘liking’ expressed during reward consumption. During such reward consumption, human neuroimaging studies have consistently noted a central role of the VS (including the NA) corresponding to results from animal research. The VS is consistently activated during the anticipation and consumption of reward (Liu et al., 2011).  Interestingly, the VS is also activated during the imagery of pleasant experiences, including drug use in substance abusers, pleasant sexual encounters, and athletic success (Costa et al., 2010). Despite a vast literature emphasizing that the VS is implicated in the processing of hedonic aspects of reward in humans, this brain area has not been well parcellated into functional sub-regions (primarily because of limited resolution in human neuroimaging).  Nevertheless, using an anatomical definition of the core and shell of the NA, one study successfully described differential encoding of the valence of reward and pain in separable structural and functional brain networks with sources in the core and shell of the NA (Baliki et al., 2013). This finding again highlights the overlaps of pleasure and displeasure systems, rendering the separated investigation of pleasure and displeasure functions somewhat artificial.

In addition to the VS, the OFC has received much attention in human research on reward and hedonic experiences (Berridge & Kringelbach, 2015).  Much of the current knowledge on the functions of the OFC in hedonic experiences is based on human neuroimaging, because the translation from animal work has proven to be challenging because of differences in the prefrontal cortex (PFC; Wallis, 2011). The OFC has been described in numerous human functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies to represent the subjective value of rewarding stimuli (Grabenhorst & Rolls, 2011). More specifically, the OFC has been described as the first stage of cortical processing, in which the value and pleasure of reward are explicitly represented. With its many reciprocal anatomical connections to other brain regions important in reward processing, the OFC is in an optimal position to distribute information on subjective value and pleasure in order to optimize different behavioral strategies. For example, the OFC is well connected to the ACC, insular cortex, somatosensory areas, amygdala, and striatum (Carmichael & Price, 1995; Cavada et al., 2000; Mufson & Mesulam, 1982).

Besides the VS and the OFC, multiple other brain regions are involved in reward processing, including the caudate, putamen, thalamus, amygdala, anterior insula, ACC, posterior cingulate cortex, inferior parietal lobule, and sub-regions of the PFC other than the OFC (Liu et al., 2011). Reward involves processing of complex stimuli that involve many more components beyond wanting and liking, such as attention, arousal, evaluation, memory, learning, decision-making, etc.

In addition to higher-level cortical representations, pleasure also appears to be coded at very low levels of peripheral sensory processing. As an illustration, hedonic representations of smells are already present in peripheral sensory cells. There are differences in electrical activity of the human olfactory epithelium in response to pleasant vs. unpleasant odors (Lapid et al., 2011).  Further, responses to the hedonic valence of odors involve differential activation of the autonomic nervous system (e.g., fluctuations in heart rate and skin conductance; Joussain et al., 2017). Together with the above-described results on central processing of pleasure, these findings highlight that extensive neurobiological systems are implicated in the processing of positive hedonic feelings including peripheral and autonomic components. In line with findings from the animal work, it can be assumed that environmental factors such as perceived stress affect these neurobiological systems leading to plastic changes (Juarez & Han, 2016; Li, 2013) and thus a sophisticated control of hedonic feelings adapted to situational factors.

2.2.2 Displeasure and pain—from animal models to human models

After the Protestant Reformation allowed some usury degree, the Jews lost the money lending advantages in regions that became Protestant & entered into competition with the Christian majority, leading to an increase in anti-Semitism

Becker, Sascha O. and Luigi Pascali. 2019. "Religion, Division of Labor, and Conflict: Anti-semitism in Germany over 600 Years." American Economic Review, 109(5):1764-1804. DOI: 10.1257/aer.20170279

Abstract: We study the role of economic incentives in shaping the coexistence of Jews, Catholics, and Protestants, using novel data from Germany for 1,000+ cities. The Catholic usury ban and higher literacy rates gave Jews a specific advantage in the moneylending sector. Following the Protestant Reformation (1517), the Jews lost these advantages in regions that became Protestant. We show (i) a change in the geography of anti-Semitism with persecutions of Jews and anti-Jewish publications becoming more common in Protestant areas relative to Catholic areas; (ii) a more pronounced change in cities where Jews had already established themselves as moneylenders. These findings are consistent with the interpretation that, following the Protestant Reformation, Jews living in Protestant regions were exposed to competition with the Christian majority, especially in moneylending, leading to an increase in anti-Semitism.


Religion, Division of Labor, and Conflict: Anti-semitism in Germany over 600 Years

Individuals with low navigation ability use GPS often; high navigation ability is more predictive of learning a new environment than GPS-use; GPS use independently affects spatial transformation skills, affects ability to learn environments

GPS-use negatively affects environmental learning through spatial transformation abilities. Ian T. Ruginski et al. Journal of Environmental Psychology, May 4 2019. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2019.05.001

Highlights
•    Individuals with low navigation ability use GPS often.
•    High navigation ability is more predictive of learning a new environment than GPS-use.
•    However, GPS use still independently affects spatial transformation skills.
•    Overall, GPS use affects ability to learn environments through transformation skills.

Abstract: Research has established that GPS use negatively affects environmental learning and navigation in laboratory studies. Furthermore, the ability to mentally rotate objects and imagine locations from other perspectives (both known as spatial transformations) is positively related to environmental learning. Using previously validated spatial transformation and environmental learning tasks, the current study assessed a theoretical model where long-term GPS use is associated with worse mental rotation and perspective-taking spatial transformation abilities, which then predicts decreased ability to learn novel environments. We expected this prediction to hold even after controlling for self-reported navigation ability, which is also associated with better spatial transformation and environmental learning capabilities. We found that mental rotation and perspective-taking ability fully account for the effect of GPS use on learning of a virtual environment. This relationship remained after controlling for existing navigation ability. Specifically, GPS use is negatively associated with perspective-taking indirectly through mental rotation; we propose that GPS use affects the transformation ability common to mental rotation and perspective-taking.


GPS-use negatively affects environmental learning through spatial transformation abilities

Results on the link between shyness and social media use had been inconclusive; new work shows that the shy has less contacts and interactions not only in real life, but in social networks too

Shyness and social media use: A meta-analytic summary of moderating and mediating effects. Markus Appel, Timo Gnambs. Computers in Human Behavior, May 6 2019. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2019.04.018

Highlights
•    Results on the link between shyness and social media use had been inconclusive.
•    A three-level, random effects meta-analysis was conducted.
•    The kind of usage variable investigated moderated the relationship.
•    Shyness was negatively associated with active use and with the number of contacts.
•    A meta-analytic mediation model connected shyness, SNS contacts, and well-being.

Abstract: Since the advent of social networking sites (SNSs) such as Facebook and Twitter (often called social media), the link between shyness and using these platforms has received substantial scholarly attention. We assumed that the diverging findings could be explained by the patterns of use examined in the primary studies. A three-level, random effects meta-analysis was conducted (50 effect sizes, total N = 6989). Shyness and SNS use across all available indicators were unrelated. As predicted, the association was moderated by the specific SNS use pattern. Shyness was negatively associated with active use (e.g., posting photos), ρ = −0.11, 95% CI [-0.20, −0.03], and with the number of SNS contacts (i.e., online network size), ρ = −0.26, 95% CI [-0.34, −0.17]. Negligible or no associations were found for general use (e.g., daily logins), ρ = 0.07, 95% CI [0.02, 0.13], or passive use (reading others’ posts), ρ = 0.07, 95% CI [-0.01, 0.14]. A meta-analytic mediation model suggests that the number of SNS contacts can partially explain the previously identified negative association between shyness and well-being.


The agreeable ones cooperate more at first, but don't have the strategic ability & consistency of those of high IQ; conscientiousness errs in caution, which deters cooperation

Intelligence, Personality, and Gains from Cooperation in Repeated Interactions. Eugenio Proto, Aldo Rustichini, Andis Sofianos. Journal of Political Economy, Apr 10, 2019. https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/pdfplus/10.1086/701355

Abstract: We study how intelligence and personality affect the outcomes of groups, focusing on repeated interactions that provide the opportunity for profitable cooperation. Our experimental method creates two groups of subjects who have different levels of certain traits, such as higher or lower levels of Intelligence, Conscientiousness, and Agreeableness, but who are very similar otherwise. Intelligence has a large and positive long-run effect on cooperative behavior. The effect is strong when at the equilibrium of the repeated game there is a trade-off between short-run gains and long-run losses. Conscientiousness and Agreeableness have a natural, significant but transitory effect on cooperation rates.

Intelligence, Personality, and Gains from Cooperation in Repeated Interactions. Eugenio Proto, Aldo Rustichini, Andis Sofianos. Journal of Political Economy, Apr 10, 2019. https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/pdfplus/10.1086/701355

We study how intelligence and personality affect the outcomes of groups, focusing on repeated interactions that provide the opportunity for profitable cooperation. Our experimental method creates two groups of subjects who have different levels of certain traits, such as higher or lower levels of Intelligence, Conscientiousness, and Agreeableness, but who are very similar otherwise. Intelligence has a large and positive long-run effect on cooperative behavior. The effect is strong when at the equilibrium of the repeated game there is a trade-off between short-run gains and long-run losses. Conscientiousness and Agreeableness have a natural, significant but transitory effect on cooperation rates.



‘Concept creep’ (that harm-related concepts of abuse, bullying, prejudice, have expanded their meanings recently): Those with broader concepts endorse harm-based morality, liberal political attitudes

Concept creepers: Individual differences in harm-related concepts and their correlates. Melanie J. McGrath et al. Personality and Individual Differences, Volume 147, 1 September 2019, Pages 79-84. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2019.04.015

Abstract: Research on ‘concept creep’ argues that harm-related concepts such as abuse, bullying, prejudice, and trauma have expanded their meanings in recent decades. Theorists have suggested that this semantic expansion may have mixed implications. Broadened concepts might problematize harmful behavior that was previously tolerated but might also make people over-sensitive and fragile. Two studies using American MTurk samples (Ns = 276, 309) examined individual differences in the breadth of people's concepts of harm and explored their correlates. Study 1 found reliable variations in concept breadth that were consistent across four disparate harm-related concepts. As predicted, people with broader concepts tended to endorse harm-based morality, liberal political attitudes, and high empathic concern. Contrary to prediction, younger people did not have broader concepts. Study 2 replicated the association between concept breadth and liberalism and extended the empathy finding by showing that concept breadth was associated with sensitivity to injustice toward others but not the self. In this study, people holding broader concepts were younger and tended to feel more vulnerable and entitled. These findings indicate that holding broader concepts of harm may have mixed implications.

Advice to my younger self if I knew then what I know now: Most of the advice fell into the domains of relationships, education, & selfhood

If I knew then what I know now: Advice to my younger self. Robin M. Kowalski & Annie McCord. The Journal of Social Psychology, May 5 2019. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00224545.2019.1609401

ABSTRACT: If we could go back and give ourselves advice to keep from making a mistake, most of us would probably take that opportunity. Using self-discrepancy theory as a theoretical framework, US workers on Amazon’s Mechanical Turk, who were at least 30 years of age, indicated in two studies what their advice to their younger selves would be, what pivotal event was influential for them, if they had regrets, and if following this advice would bring them closer to their ideal or ought self. Across both studies, most of the advice fell into the domains of relationships, education, and selfhood. Participants said following the advice would bring them more in line with their ideal than their ought self. Following the advice also led to more positive perceptions of the current self by the high school self. Ages at which pivotal events occurred provided strong support for the reminiscence bump.

KEYWORDS: Advice, regret, self-discrepancy, counterfactual thinking