Research News https://www.econ.uzh.ch/en/news/research_news.html Choosing for others https://www.econ.uzh.ch/en/news/research_news/choosing.html New paper on decision-making by Sandro Ambuehl and B. Douglas Bernheim, published in the American Economic Review.

]]> Thu, 21 May 2026 22:00:00 GMT https://www.econ.uzh.ch/en/news/research_news/choosing.html 2026-05-21T22:00:00Z Water Pollution from Mines Directly Affects Agriculture https://www.econ.uzh.ch/en/news/research_news/water_pollution.html A new study shows that plants and crops in Africa are less healthy downstream of mining sites. Data on their impacts remains scarce, requiring better reporting for effective mitigation.

]]> Fri, 13 Mar 2026 23:00:00 GMT https://www.econ.uzh.ch/en/news/research_news/water_pollution.html 2026-03-13T23:00:00Z The Comfort of Not Knowing: Strategic Ignorance and the Appeal of Action https://www.econ.uzh.ch/en/news/research_news/strategic_ignorance.html Are people more likely to engage with distressing information when they believe they can actually do something about it? A new study published in The Economic Journal shows that strategic ignorance decreases when people feel their actions can make a difference.

]]> Thu, 12 Mar 2026 23:00:00 GMT https://www.econ.uzh.ch/en/news/research_news/strategic_ignorance.html 2026-03-12T23:00:00Z Brain Activity Reveals How Well We Mentally Size Up Others https://www.econ.uzh.ch/en/news/research_news/brain_activity.html A new study reveals what brain networks govern social mentalization and adaptation, making it possible to predict how flexibly one person reacts to others.

]]> Sun, 08 Mar 2026 23:00:00 GMT https://www.econ.uzh.ch/en/news/research_news/brain_activity.html 2026-03-08T23:00:00Z Deciding for others makes us less confident – even when we are just as competent https://www.econ.uzh.ch/en/news/research_news/confidence.html Why do we hesitate when making decisions that affect others? A new study suggests that we trust our own judgment less as soon as we become accountable for other people.

]]> Wed, 25 Feb 2026 23:00:00 GMT https://www.econ.uzh.ch/en/news/research_news/confidence.html 2026-02-25T23:00:00Z How Trade Liberalization Weakens Cronyism and Political Favoritism https://www.econ.uzh.ch/en/news/research_news/trade_liberalization.html Can international trade curb corruption? A new study shows that India’s 1990s trade liberalization reveals how international trade affects resource misallocation caused by politically connected firms.

]]> Tue, 24 Feb 2026 23:00:00 GMT https://www.econ.uzh.ch/en/news/research_news/trade_liberalization.html 2026-02-24T23:00:00Z In Prisoners’ Shoes: How incarceration shapes policy preferences https://www.econ.uzh.ch/en/news/research_news/prisoners_shoes.html A recent study provides new evidence that real-life experiences can have a direct influence on public opinion.

]]> Wed, 18 Feb 2026 23:00:00 GMT https://www.econ.uzh.ch/en/news/research_news/prisoners_shoes.html 2026-02-18T23:00:00Z Stimulating the Brain to Promote Altruism https://www.econ.uzh.ch/en/news/research_news/altruistic_choices.html Synchronizing activity in certain brain regions can significantly increase people’s altruistic behavior, a new study shows.

]]> Sun, 15 Feb 2026 23:00:00 GMT https://www.econ.uzh.ch/en/news/research_news/altruistic_choices.html 2026-02-15T23:00:00Z