Measuring feelings about choices and risks: The Berlin Emotional Responses to Risk Instrument (BERRI)

We introduce a brief instrument specifically validated for measuring positive and negative feelings about risks—the Berlin Emotional Responses to Risk Instrument (BERRI). Based on seven studies involving diverse adults from three countries (n = 2120), the BERRI was found to robustly estimate anticipatory affective reactions derived from subjective evaluations of positive (i.e., assured, hopeful, and relieved) and negative emotions (i.e., anxious, afraid, and worried). The brief BERRI outperformed a 14-item assessment, uniquely tracking costs/benefits associated with cancer screening among men and women (Studies 1 and 2). Predictive validity was further documented in paradigmatic risky choice studies wherein options varied over probabilities and severities across six contexts (health, social, financial, technological, ethical, and environmental; Study 3). Studies 4–6, conducted during the Ebola epidemic and COVID-19 pandemic, indicated BERRI responses were sensitive to subtle effects caused by emotion-related framing manipulations presented in different cultures and languages (the United States, Spain, and Poland). Study 7 indicated BERRI responses remained stable for 2 weeks. Although the BERRI can provide an estimate of overall affect, choices were generally better explained by the unique influences of positive and negative affect. Overall, results suggest the novel, brief instrument can be an efficient tool for high-stakes research on decision making and risk communication.     

论日本经济大国的地位及其发展前景

战后日本的经济发展取得了世人所瞩目的成功 ,被誉为“经济奇迹”。支撑其“奇迹”的是国内外诸多有利因素 ,所有这些因素便构成了日本经济大国地位及其发展前景的基点。日本之所以能够成为当今世界的“第二经济大国” ,其中有许多值得总结和吸取的历史经验教训 ;而其地位的稳固与否以及今后一个时期的发展态势如何 ,无疑将对东亚乃至世界经济的发展 ,尤其是对亚太经济一体化与经济全球化进程产生重大而深刻的影响