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Scheibehenne conducted computerized surveys in a mall food court in Berlin, Germany. In a controlled setting, 20 different platter options of food were presented and customers were able to choose their meal freely. After choosing, they completed a computerized survey called an FCQ of food choice questionnaire. The unique purpose of this study was to determine the level in which humans make food choices based on heuristics, or "rule of thumb" choices. Interestingly, the results from this study show that the heuristic choices that humans make are just as significant as any other reason for making food decisions. This suggests that nutrition labels on a cereal box, for example, may not be influencing humans as much as the heuristic approach to food choice.

I found this study to be extremely valuable to my research. This study examined the effects of high or low stress levels on men and women in their choice of healthy or unhealthy snacking. Results showed that stress levels do, in fact, effect human decision of food choice. Stressful men chose healthier snacks than when they were not stressed, but conversely, stressful women chose unhealthier snacks than when they were not stressed. This factor is extremely beneficial to my research as it may provide an explanation as to why humans make the food choices they do.

The authors share the difference of how the education gap between minority and low-income students compares to the fortunate white students. These low-income students are usually seen in urban schools that are at a disadvantage because of their label as a "failing school". The authors conduct a chart that shows the number of free or reduced lunches, percent of minority students, the student teacher ratio and the percent of poverty rate of failing schools, choice schools and the mean difference in schools in North Carolina. The rates in failing schools were substantially higher than the ones in choice schools. This process was only conducted in North Carolina, but it would be very similar for all states.

The authors research the effects of public school choice in the state of South Carolina under the No Child Left Behind Act. It has been found that public schools are labeled "in need of improvement" if there is a large minority of students and a large amount of poverty independent of rural, suburban, or urban location. The article touches on all the spatial aspects of the academic achievement gap between public schools and how rural failing schools are the most disadvantaged. The research in the article is useful but it is limited to the state of South Carolina.

Buckley's investigation of consumer choices regarding convenience foods was conducted in Great Britain in 2002. His study included grocery store customers completing a questionnaire that consisted of quantitative response options. The results of this research help the food industry understand the reasons why people make choices for convenience foods. Interestingly, an increase in overall salaries of people in Great Britain have led to more people dining out. The main reason for people choosing convenience foods over healthy foods was found to be a combination of time saving tactics when purchasing foods in the grocery store.

This study analyzed the acceptance of a school cafeteria based program called "Kid's Choice", where students are given increased amounts of healthy vegetables and fruits in their lunch meals. Results were compared between those who were overweight and those considered average-weight. The study found that both groups were equally accepting the program and would continue the program after the 1 month trial. This study would help my research because it shows that children who are overweight are, in fact, willing and able to make positive changes in their diets to improve their body weight and overall health.

This article focus is on women and the 2000 Senate election. This focus on campaign strategies and the media women use when running for a position. Women usually take up more of the electoral voting then men. Women take up 55% percent of all elections and are more likely to be persuaded by campaign strategies because they often make their choice about who they are going to vote for more quickly than men. To attract women votes, candidates for a position often focus on education, health care and childcare. This article will be valuable to my research because it shows what candidates focus on in the media and campaigning when looking at women. It also shows that candidates pay more attention to women when campaigning earlier in their career. It also will help in explaining why candidates emphasize part of their campaign on certain issues to target women.

this is an artical i found when looking at negative efects friends can have on eachoother, especially in an academic setting. it basically just gives examples of how things like rejection from peers can lead to poor academics and life choices. Good study with solid information to back it up.

Thaler discusses the "financial literacy crisis" facing most Americans. Today, a record number of Americans are inept when it comes to financial literacy and as a result accumulate large sums of debt and fail to plan for the future. The author explains that Americans get into trouble because current financial systems such as credit cards are not user-friendly. To counter this escalating problem, researchers believe financial programs should be created that provide consumers with basic financial knowledge and assist them in making good choices. Finally, parents must begin teaching financial literacy to their children at a young age and not keep the subject a private matter. Thaler's argument that new financial programs should be created is logical given the current crisis situation he identifies, but he fails to outline a way to do so. Norvilitis, Jill, Michelle Merwin, Timothy Osberg, Patricia Roehling, Paul Young, and Michele Kamas. " Personaility Factors, Money Attitueds, Financial Knowledge, and Credit-Card Debt in College Students." Journal of Applied Social Psychology. 36.6: 1395-1414. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO Roeschh Lib., U of Dayton. 17 March. 2009

Today's consumers are faced with difficult financial decisions everyday. Making the wrong choice could cost someone their savings or their home. By becoming financially literate people decrease the risk that they will become victims of financial mistakes such as aquiring excessive debt or associating with predatory lenders. Many families have only one spouse take care of all the finances and this could lead to problems should that spouse die.

This article focuses on the financial education of American consumers. The researchers have labeled Americans as having excess debt, poor retirement planning and insufficient savings. They believe one answer to the financial problems facing Americans has to do with the amount of financial information available. In some cases credit cards provide too much information and technical terms which may confuse the consumer. On the other hand when there is too little information the consumer may not be able to make proper choices.