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Beliefs, Time Preference, and HIV
Kevin Carney
Graduate Student, Public Policy
This project explores whether time preferences — and specifically preferences over the timing of information — influence take-up decisions for medical testing. Preliminary evidence from Kenya suggests that some people have time-inconsistent preferences over HIV testing. People exhibit short-run impatience over HIV testing, and impatience increases when the option of immediate rapid testing is introduced. I discuss the role of beliefs and uncertainty in generating this result, as well as policy implications.
The Vulnerability Paradox in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Product of the Neurotic Treadmill?
Benjamin Bellet
Graduate Student, Psychology
For those who are disadvantaged socioeconomically, there is a higher risk of developing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following a traumatic event. However, countries at greater socioeconomic disadvantage have lower rates of PTSD in response to traumatic events. Why might this be? We propose a treadmill theory whereby individuals in relatively privileged groups have more permissive boundaries for what constitutes trauma due to low exposure to inoculating stressful events. These definitions may constitute a vulnerability to stressful events that could help to explain the vulnerability paradox.
LOCATION:1550 William James Hall STATUS:CONFIRMED DTSTART:20191202T171500Z DTEND:20191202T181500Z END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR