Shosh Shahrabani - Academia.edu (original) (raw)
Papers by Shosh Shahrabani
In this paper, we investigate what people in Japan consider when deciding to take the influenza v... more In this paper, we investigate what people in Japan consider when deciding to take the influenza vaccination. We develop an economic model to explain the mechanism by which people decide to take the influenza vaccination. Using our model and the data obtained from a large-scale survey we conducted in Japan, we demonstrated that people make rational decisions about vaccinations after
We present a multi-trial experiment that extends the classic experiment of Thaler et al. (1997) ... more We present a multi-trial experiment that extends the classic experiment of Thaler et al. (1997) by adding short-term information to long-term investment. The allocation to the risky asset is reduced in the long-term, when we add short-term information.
The current field study examines emotions, evoked by a fire disaster, and economic expectations o... more The current field study examines emotions, evoked by a fire disaster, and economic expectations of people who were exposed to a fire disaster in Israel. We find that negative emotions are correlated with expectations regarding the economic self-improvement, as well as expectations for national economic improvement
Theoretical equivalence exists among various auction mechanisms, specifically the Second-Price-Au... more Theoretical equivalence exists among various auction mechanisms, specifically the Second-Price-Auction (SPA), a competitive environment, and the BDM mechanism, a non-competitive environment. Yet, empirical studies suggest that behavior in these mechanisms may diverge. Our experimental study examines the WTP and the WTA of individuals by analyzing buying and selling bidding patterns both for a physical product (mugs) and for two types
Background: Anti-influenza vaccination has proven cost-effective for society. In Israel, however,... more Background: Anti-influenza vaccination has proven cost-effective for society. In Israel, however, vaccination rates remain relatively low in comparison to other countries. Objectives: To analyze the socioeconomic and health status factors affecting the decision to be vaccinated against flu and to compare these factors to results from other countries in order to determine which segments of the adult population should be
Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Economics, 2014
This study examines the factors that affect an individual's decision to take an active part in so... more This study examines the factors that affect an individual's decision to take an active part in social justice protests. We use data collected after the 2011 Israeli social justice protests against the continuing rise in the cost of living, the social order and power-structure in Israel. Our main hypotheses are based on the expressive behavior model, and suggest that active participation in protests produces expressive utility that changes the cost-benefit calculation in the decision to be active in social protests. The results show that individuals who decided to participate actively in the non-violent protest had low general confidence in the future of the Israeli society. The findings also suggest that active participants are less present-oriented, less risk averse, and have a higher interest in politics, compared to those who did not participate actively. In addition, the more active participants tend to live in rented homes, meaning that their self-interest in housing-related issues is high. Finally, we find that women and those who support a non-aggressive military policy were more likely to participate in protests. These results shed light on behavioral and sociological factors affecting the decision to protest, specifically in Israeli society.
Advances in Preventive Medicine, 2011
The outbreak of A/H1N1 influenza (henceforth, swine flu) in 2009 was characterized mainly by morb... more The outbreak of A/H1N1 influenza (henceforth, swine flu) in 2009 was characterized mainly by morbidity rates among young people. This study examined the factors affecting the intention to be vaccinated against the swine flu among students in Israel. Questionnaires were distributed in December 2009 among 387 students at higher-education institutions. The research questionnaire included sociodemographic characteristics and Health Belief Model principles. The results show that the factors positively affecting the intention to take the swine flu vaccine were past experience with seasonal flu shot and three HBM categories: higher levels of perceived susceptibility for catching the illness, perceived seriousness of illness, and lower levels of barriers. We conclude that offering the vaccine at workplaces may raise the intention to take the vaccine among young people in Israel.
Proceedings of the 9th Joint Conference on Information Sciences (JCIS), 2006
The current study is based on a field study of the 2006 Israel-Lebanon war that was conducted in ... more The current study is based on a field study of the 2006 Israel-Lebanon war that was conducted in two waves, the first two weeks after the end of the war, and the second 18 months later (2008). The purpose of the study was to examine recalled emotions and perceived risks induced by manipulation using a short videoclip that recalled the sounds of the alarms and the sights of the missile attacks during the war. Before filling in the study questionnaire in 2008, the experimental group watched a short videoclip recalling the events of the war. The control group did not watch the video before filling in the questionnaire. Using the data provided by questionnaires, we analyzed the effect of recalled emotions on perceived risks in two different regions in Israel: the northern region, which was under missile attack daily during the war, and the central region, which was not under missile attacks. In general, our results suggest that the videoclip had a strong effect on the level of recalled ...
Mind & Society, 2009
The current study aims to examine how the intense emotions experienced by different Israeli group... more The current study aims to examine how the intense emotions experienced by different Israeli groups during the 2006 Second Lebanon War affected their perceptions of risk. Two weeks after the end of the war, a questionnaire was distributed among 205 people. Some were from the north and had been directly affected by the rocket attacks; others were from the center
The Journal of Socio-Economics, 2012
This paper investigates how people decide to take influenza vaccination in Japan.
Journal of Behavioral Decision Making, 2012
ABSTRACT The current study uses the unique data from a natural experiment conducted in a college ... more ABSTRACT The current study uses the unique data from a natural experiment conducted in a college located in southern Israel that was exposed to rocket attacks in 2008. The study examines the relationships between the negative emotions, the perceptions of risk to oneself, the precautionary actions, and the intentions of 290 students who were exposed to terror attacks while on campus. In addition, we compared the emotions, the risk perceptions, and the precautionary behavior between the two groups: those who lived within the range of the rockets and were also exposed to rocket attacks at home and those who lived outside the range of the rockets. The results show that the risk perceptions were affected mainly by the emotion of fear while the students were on campus. In particular, fearful people became more pessimistic about their general and personal risks from terror but not about routine risks. The results also reveal that those who lived outside the rocket area (and had less or no experience with terror attacks) were more likely to take precautionary actions during their stay in the campus and were more pessimistic about continuing their studies in college in the coming year than those living in the area, who had more experience with terror attacks. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2010
The study examined the factors affecting the decision to be vaccinated against influenza among em... more The study examined the factors affecting the decision to be vaccinated against influenza among employees in Israel. The research, conducted in 2007/2008, included 616 employees aged 18−65 at various workplaces in Israel, among them companies that offered their employees influenza vaccination. The research questionnaire included socio-demographic characteristics, and the Health Belief Model principles. The results show that the significant factors affecting vaccination compliance include a vaccination program at workplaces, vaccinations in the past, higher levels of vaccine's perceived benefits, and lower levels of barriers to getting the vaccine. We conclude that vaccine compliance is larger at companies with workplace vaccination programs providing easier accessibility to vaccination.
Health Policy, 2010
The aims of this study were to identify the predictors of people's willingness to be vaccinated a... more The aims of this study were to identify the predictors of people's willingness to be vaccinated against influenza and to determine how to improve the inoculation rate. The study was based upon the results of our original large-scale survey conducted in the USA in 2005. A model of bounded rationality can explain vaccination behavior fairly well: (a) people evaluate the costs and benefits of vaccination by applying risk aversion and time preference; (b) the 'status quo bias' of those who were vaccinated in the past affects their decision to be vaccinated in the future; and (c) overconfidence indirectly affects the decision through the moderation of perceived variables. Policy implications include: (a) dissemination of information about the vaccine is especially important among people who are inexperienced with the vaccine since they undervalue the effectiveness of vaccination; (b) lowering the total cost of vaccination, including time costs (for example, by offering the vaccine at workplaces) may raise the inoculation rate, especially among those inexperienced with the vaccine, since those who have experience with the vaccine tend to take it on a regular basis.
The European Journal of Health Economics, 2009
The objective of this study was to identify factors that influence the decision whether or not to... more The objective of this study was to identify factors that influence the decision whether or not to get the influenza (flu) vaccine among nurses in Israel by using the health belief model (HBM). A questionnaire distributed among 299 nurses in Israel in winter 2005/2006 included (1) socio-demographic information; (2) variables based on the HBM, including susceptibility, seriousness, benefits, barriers and cues to action; and (3) knowledge about influenza and the vaccine, and health motivation. A probit model was used to analyze the data. In Israel, the significant HBM categories affecting nurses' decision to get a flu shot are the perceived benefits from vaccination and cues to action. In addition, nurses who are vaccinated have higher levels of (1) knowledge regarding the vaccine and influenza, (2) perceived seriousness of the illness, (3) perceived susceptibility, and (4) health motivation than do those who do not get the vaccine. Immunization of healthcare workers may reduce the risk of flu outbreaks in all types of healthcare facilities and reduce morbidity and mortality among high-risk patients. In order to increase vaccination rates among nurses, efforts should be made to educate them regarding the benefits of vaccination and the potential health consequences of influenza for their patients, and themselves.
Economics Letters, 2008
The experimental results of the current paper reveal positive relations between shortselling bidd... more The experimental results of the current paper reveal positive relations between shortselling bidding prices and the WTA-WTP gap. This result may be explained by the status-quo bias.
Applied Financial Economics Letters, 2006
... III. The Experiment The experiment consisted of a series of auctions on lotteries using the S... more ... III. The Experiment The experiment consisted of a series of auctions on lotteries using the SPA and BDM mechanisms. The participants in the experiment were 51 undergraduate students of economics at Ben-Gurion University. ... 334 T. Shavit et al. Page 3. IV. Results ...
Applied Economics Letters, 2009
ABSTRACT The study examined the impact of preferences for an item on the Willingness to Pay (WTP)... more ABSTRACT The study examined the impact of preferences for an item on the Willingness to Pay (WTP) and Willingness to Accept (WTA). The results show that the differences between biddings for preferred and less preferred items are smaller in the selling position than in the buying position. This result can be explained by the existence of the ownership effect in the selling position for both preferred and less preferred items.
Applied Economics Letters, 2010
Stock options are usually sold in bundles of 100 units, and their price can be quoted either per ... more Stock options are usually sold in bundles of 100 units, and their price can be quoted either per unit or per bundle. In this paper, the effect of different methods of quoting financial asset prices on the subjective value of a contract was examined experimentally. In particular, we examined differences in subjects' Willingness-To-Pay (WTP) and Willingness-To-Accept (WTA) for financial assets depending upon whether prices are quoted per unit or per bundle. We found that subjects bid (ask) a higher price when prices are quoted per unit than when they are quoted per bundle. The results indicated that different quoting methods affect the bidding price for risky assets. These results can have important implications for trading on financial markets.
In this paper, we investigate what people in Japan consider when deciding to take the influenza v... more In this paper, we investigate what people in Japan consider when deciding to take the influenza vaccination. We develop an economic model to explain the mechanism by which people decide to take the influenza vaccination. Using our model and the data obtained from a large-scale survey we conducted in Japan, we demonstrated that people make rational decisions about vaccinations after
We present a multi-trial experiment that extends the classic experiment of Thaler et al. (1997) ... more We present a multi-trial experiment that extends the classic experiment of Thaler et al. (1997) by adding short-term information to long-term investment. The allocation to the risky asset is reduced in the long-term, when we add short-term information.
The current field study examines emotions, evoked by a fire disaster, and economic expectations o... more The current field study examines emotions, evoked by a fire disaster, and economic expectations of people who were exposed to a fire disaster in Israel. We find that negative emotions are correlated with expectations regarding the economic self-improvement, as well as expectations for national economic improvement
Theoretical equivalence exists among various auction mechanisms, specifically the Second-Price-Au... more Theoretical equivalence exists among various auction mechanisms, specifically the Second-Price-Auction (SPA), a competitive environment, and the BDM mechanism, a non-competitive environment. Yet, empirical studies suggest that behavior in these mechanisms may diverge. Our experimental study examines the WTP and the WTA of individuals by analyzing buying and selling bidding patterns both for a physical product (mugs) and for two types
Background: Anti-influenza vaccination has proven cost-effective for society. In Israel, however,... more Background: Anti-influenza vaccination has proven cost-effective for society. In Israel, however, vaccination rates remain relatively low in comparison to other countries. Objectives: To analyze the socioeconomic and health status factors affecting the decision to be vaccinated against flu and to compare these factors to results from other countries in order to determine which segments of the adult population should be
Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Economics, 2014
This study examines the factors that affect an individual's decision to take an active part in so... more This study examines the factors that affect an individual's decision to take an active part in social justice protests. We use data collected after the 2011 Israeli social justice protests against the continuing rise in the cost of living, the social order and power-structure in Israel. Our main hypotheses are based on the expressive behavior model, and suggest that active participation in protests produces expressive utility that changes the cost-benefit calculation in the decision to be active in social protests. The results show that individuals who decided to participate actively in the non-violent protest had low general confidence in the future of the Israeli society. The findings also suggest that active participants are less present-oriented, less risk averse, and have a higher interest in politics, compared to those who did not participate actively. In addition, the more active participants tend to live in rented homes, meaning that their self-interest in housing-related issues is high. Finally, we find that women and those who support a non-aggressive military policy were more likely to participate in protests. These results shed light on behavioral and sociological factors affecting the decision to protest, specifically in Israeli society.
Advances in Preventive Medicine, 2011
The outbreak of A/H1N1 influenza (henceforth, swine flu) in 2009 was characterized mainly by morb... more The outbreak of A/H1N1 influenza (henceforth, swine flu) in 2009 was characterized mainly by morbidity rates among young people. This study examined the factors affecting the intention to be vaccinated against the swine flu among students in Israel. Questionnaires were distributed in December 2009 among 387 students at higher-education institutions. The research questionnaire included sociodemographic characteristics and Health Belief Model principles. The results show that the factors positively affecting the intention to take the swine flu vaccine were past experience with seasonal flu shot and three HBM categories: higher levels of perceived susceptibility for catching the illness, perceived seriousness of illness, and lower levels of barriers. We conclude that offering the vaccine at workplaces may raise the intention to take the vaccine among young people in Israel.
Proceedings of the 9th Joint Conference on Information Sciences (JCIS), 2006
The current study is based on a field study of the 2006 Israel-Lebanon war that was conducted in ... more The current study is based on a field study of the 2006 Israel-Lebanon war that was conducted in two waves, the first two weeks after the end of the war, and the second 18 months later (2008). The purpose of the study was to examine recalled emotions and perceived risks induced by manipulation using a short videoclip that recalled the sounds of the alarms and the sights of the missile attacks during the war. Before filling in the study questionnaire in 2008, the experimental group watched a short videoclip recalling the events of the war. The control group did not watch the video before filling in the questionnaire. Using the data provided by questionnaires, we analyzed the effect of recalled emotions on perceived risks in two different regions in Israel: the northern region, which was under missile attack daily during the war, and the central region, which was not under missile attacks. In general, our results suggest that the videoclip had a strong effect on the level of recalled ...
Mind & Society, 2009
The current study aims to examine how the intense emotions experienced by different Israeli group... more The current study aims to examine how the intense emotions experienced by different Israeli groups during the 2006 Second Lebanon War affected their perceptions of risk. Two weeks after the end of the war, a questionnaire was distributed among 205 people. Some were from the north and had been directly affected by the rocket attacks; others were from the center
The Journal of Socio-Economics, 2012
This paper investigates how people decide to take influenza vaccination in Japan.
Journal of Behavioral Decision Making, 2012
ABSTRACT The current study uses the unique data from a natural experiment conducted in a college ... more ABSTRACT The current study uses the unique data from a natural experiment conducted in a college located in southern Israel that was exposed to rocket attacks in 2008. The study examines the relationships between the negative emotions, the perceptions of risk to oneself, the precautionary actions, and the intentions of 290 students who were exposed to terror attacks while on campus. In addition, we compared the emotions, the risk perceptions, and the precautionary behavior between the two groups: those who lived within the range of the rockets and were also exposed to rocket attacks at home and those who lived outside the range of the rockets. The results show that the risk perceptions were affected mainly by the emotion of fear while the students were on campus. In particular, fearful people became more pessimistic about their general and personal risks from terror but not about routine risks. The results also reveal that those who lived outside the rocket area (and had less or no experience with terror attacks) were more likely to take precautionary actions during their stay in the campus and were more pessimistic about continuing their studies in college in the coming year than those living in the area, who had more experience with terror attacks. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2010
The study examined the factors affecting the decision to be vaccinated against influenza among em... more The study examined the factors affecting the decision to be vaccinated against influenza among employees in Israel. The research, conducted in 2007/2008, included 616 employees aged 18−65 at various workplaces in Israel, among them companies that offered their employees influenza vaccination. The research questionnaire included socio-demographic characteristics, and the Health Belief Model principles. The results show that the significant factors affecting vaccination compliance include a vaccination program at workplaces, vaccinations in the past, higher levels of vaccine's perceived benefits, and lower levels of barriers to getting the vaccine. We conclude that vaccine compliance is larger at companies with workplace vaccination programs providing easier accessibility to vaccination.
Health Policy, 2010
The aims of this study were to identify the predictors of people's willingness to be vaccinated a... more The aims of this study were to identify the predictors of people's willingness to be vaccinated against influenza and to determine how to improve the inoculation rate. The study was based upon the results of our original large-scale survey conducted in the USA in 2005. A model of bounded rationality can explain vaccination behavior fairly well: (a) people evaluate the costs and benefits of vaccination by applying risk aversion and time preference; (b) the 'status quo bias' of those who were vaccinated in the past affects their decision to be vaccinated in the future; and (c) overconfidence indirectly affects the decision through the moderation of perceived variables. Policy implications include: (a) dissemination of information about the vaccine is especially important among people who are inexperienced with the vaccine since they undervalue the effectiveness of vaccination; (b) lowering the total cost of vaccination, including time costs (for example, by offering the vaccine at workplaces) may raise the inoculation rate, especially among those inexperienced with the vaccine, since those who have experience with the vaccine tend to take it on a regular basis.
The European Journal of Health Economics, 2009
The objective of this study was to identify factors that influence the decision whether or not to... more The objective of this study was to identify factors that influence the decision whether or not to get the influenza (flu) vaccine among nurses in Israel by using the health belief model (HBM). A questionnaire distributed among 299 nurses in Israel in winter 2005/2006 included (1) socio-demographic information; (2) variables based on the HBM, including susceptibility, seriousness, benefits, barriers and cues to action; and (3) knowledge about influenza and the vaccine, and health motivation. A probit model was used to analyze the data. In Israel, the significant HBM categories affecting nurses' decision to get a flu shot are the perceived benefits from vaccination and cues to action. In addition, nurses who are vaccinated have higher levels of (1) knowledge regarding the vaccine and influenza, (2) perceived seriousness of the illness, (3) perceived susceptibility, and (4) health motivation than do those who do not get the vaccine. Immunization of healthcare workers may reduce the risk of flu outbreaks in all types of healthcare facilities and reduce morbidity and mortality among high-risk patients. In order to increase vaccination rates among nurses, efforts should be made to educate them regarding the benefits of vaccination and the potential health consequences of influenza for their patients, and themselves.
Economics Letters, 2008
The experimental results of the current paper reveal positive relations between shortselling bidd... more The experimental results of the current paper reveal positive relations between shortselling bidding prices and the WTA-WTP gap. This result may be explained by the status-quo bias.
Applied Financial Economics Letters, 2006
... III. The Experiment The experiment consisted of a series of auctions on lotteries using the S... more ... III. The Experiment The experiment consisted of a series of auctions on lotteries using the SPA and BDM mechanisms. The participants in the experiment were 51 undergraduate students of economics at Ben-Gurion University. ... 334 T. Shavit et al. Page 3. IV. Results ...
Applied Economics Letters, 2009
ABSTRACT The study examined the impact of preferences for an item on the Willingness to Pay (WTP)... more ABSTRACT The study examined the impact of preferences for an item on the Willingness to Pay (WTP) and Willingness to Accept (WTA). The results show that the differences between biddings for preferred and less preferred items are smaller in the selling position than in the buying position. This result can be explained by the existence of the ownership effect in the selling position for both preferred and less preferred items.
Applied Economics Letters, 2010
Stock options are usually sold in bundles of 100 units, and their price can be quoted either per ... more Stock options are usually sold in bundles of 100 units, and their price can be quoted either per unit or per bundle. In this paper, the effect of different methods of quoting financial asset prices on the subjective value of a contract was examined experimentally. In particular, we examined differences in subjects' Willingness-To-Pay (WTP) and Willingness-To-Accept (WTA) for financial assets depending upon whether prices are quoted per unit or per bundle. We found that subjects bid (ask) a higher price when prices are quoted per unit than when they are quoted per bundle. The results indicated that different quoting methods affect the bidding price for risky assets. These results can have important implications for trading on financial markets.