Tara E. Karns

Decision‐making heuristics and biases across the life span

We outline a contextual and motivational model of judgment and decision‐making (JDM) biases across the life span. Our model focuses on abilities and skills that correspond to deliberative, experiential, and affective decision‐making processes. We review research that addresses links between JDM biases and these processes as represented by individual differences in specific abilities and skills (e.g., fluid and crystallized intelligence, executive functioning, emotion regulation, personality traits). We focus on two JDM biases—the sunk‐cost fallacy (SCF) and the framing effect. We trace the developmental trajectory of each bias from preschool through middle childhood, adolescence, early adulthood, and later adulthood. We conclude that life‐span developmental trajectories differ depending on the bias investigated. Existing research suggests relative stability in the framing effect across the life span and decreases in the SCF with age, including in later life. We highlight directions for future research on JDM biases across the life span, emphasizing the need for process‐oriented research and research that increases our understanding of JDM biases in peoples everyday lives.

Use of continuous transdermal alcohol monitoring during a contingency management procedure to reduce excessive alcohol use

BACKGROUND Research on contingency management to treat excessive alcohol use is limited due to feasibility issues with monitoring adherence. This study examined the effectiveness of using transdermal alcohol monitoring as a continuous measure of alcohol use to implement financial contingencies to reduce heavy drinking. METHODS Twenty-six male and female drinkers (from 21 to 39 years old) were recruited from the community. Participants were randomly assigned to one of the two treatment sequences. Sequence 1 received 4 weeks of no financial contingency (i.e.,

Transdermal alcohol concentration data collected during a contingency management program to reduce at-risk drinking.

0) drinking followed by 4 weeks each of

Accounting for sex-related differences in the estimation of breath alcohol concentrations using transdermal alcohol monitoring

25 and then

The Potential Clinical Utility of Transdermal Alcohol Monitoring Data to Estimate the Number of Alcoholic Drinks Consumed.

50 contingency management; Sequence 2 received 4 weeks of

Effects of tryptophan depletion and a simulated alcohol binge on impulsivity.

25 contingency management followed by 4 weeks each of no contingency (i.e.,

Behavioral impulsivity does not predict naturalistic alcohol consumption or treatment outcomes

0) and then

Corrigendum to "Transdermal alcohol concentration data collected during a contingency management program to reduce at-risk drinking"

50 contingency management. During the

No time to waste: : restricting life-span temporal horizons decreases the sunk-cost fallacy

25 and

Using Transdermal Alcohol Monitoring to Detect Low‐Level Drinking

50 contingency management conditions, participants were paid each week when the Secure Continuous Remote Alcohol Monitor (SCRAM-II™) identified no heavy drinking days. RESULTS Participants in both contingency management conditions had fewer drinking episodes and reduced frequencies of heavy drinking compared to the