Research

Potential for Concordance between Plurality and Instant-Runoff Election Algorithms as a Function of Ballot Dispersion

Potential for Concordance between Plurality and Instant-Runoff Election Algorithms as a Function of Ballot Dispersion

Popular elections may be conducted using a wide variety of algorithms, each of which aims to produce a winner reflective, in some way, of the general consensus of the voters. Despite the common objective, electoral algorithms may produce a different winner given the same underlying set of voters and voter preferences. In this study, we characterize the likelihood that two common electoral algorithms, the Plurality algorithm and the Instant-Runoff Voting (IRV) algorithm, produce concordant winners as a function of the underlying dispersion of voter preferences.

The Relationship Between Implicit Preference Between High-Calorie Foods and Dietary Lapse Types in a Behavioral Weight Loss Program

The Relationship Between Implicit Preference Between High-Calorie Foods and Dietary Lapse Types in a Behavioral Weight Loss Program

Weight loss failure is driven by dietary lapses, i.e., instances of non-adherence to a dietary prescription. Lapses can occur when an individual eats a larger portion than intended, a type of food intended to be avoided, or food at an unintended time. It is important to identify determinants of dietary lapses to tailor weight loss treatment. Higher implicit preference for high-calorie, hedonic food may be a predictor of each of these lapse types. The aim of the study was to examine if baseline implicit preference for high-calorie food is positively associated with large portion, unintended food, and unintended time dietary lapses.