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Adopting Nisbett’s theory of analytic and holistic thinking, the current study examines cultural influence on perceptions about the health benefits of holistic foods and nutritional elements. Consistent with the theory, Korean older adults ( n = 84) tended to believe that consuming whole, natural foods (e.g., honey, aloe vera, green tea) is more helpful for health than taking individual nutrition elements (e.g., vitamins, calcium, iron). A reverse pattern prevailed for American older adults ( n = 61). Results from a follow-up study ( n = 284) indicate the same pattern of cultural difference in perception of food nutrition can be replicated with individual measurements of analytic-holistic thinking. Holistic thinking tended to predict the valuation of food functions (‘ what it does as a whole ’) and the de valuation of food elements (‘ what is in it ’). The current findings extend the validity of Nisbett’s theory and provide practical implications for medical doctors and food marketers intending to persuade Asian patients/clients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Investigated the trajectory of a fintech AI agent's trust repair process. • Interaction effect of anthropomorphism and apology type on trust repair was found. • In a human-like agent, internal apology attribution repaired trust better. • In a machine-like agent, external apology attribution repaired trust better. • A computer-like agent with an internal apology was the most harmful at trust repair. Trust is essential in individuals' perception, behavior, and evaluation of intelligent agents. Because, it is the primary motive for people to accept new technology, it is crucial to repair trust when damaged. This study investigated how intelligent agents should apologize to recover trust and how the effectiveness of the apology is different when the agent is human-like compared to machine-like based on two seemingly competing frameworks of the Computers-Are-Social-Actors paradigm and automation bias. A 2 (agent: Human-like vs. Machine-like) X 2 (apology attribution: Internal vs. External) between-subject design experiment was conducted (N = 193) in the context of the stock market. Participants were presented with a scenario to make investment choices based on an artificial intelligence agent's advice. To see the trajectory of the initial trust-building, trust violation, and trust repair process, we designed an investment game that consists of five rounds of eight investment choices (40 investment choices in total). The results show that trust was repaired more efficiently when a human-like agent apologizes with internal rather than external attribution. However, the opposite pattern was observed among participants who had machine-like agents; the external rather than internal attribution condition showed better trust repair. Both theoretical and practical implications are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The Internet has increasingly become a popular source of health information by connecting individuals with health content, experts, and support. More and more, individuals turn to social media and Internet sites to share health information and experiences. Although online health information seeking occurs worldwide, limited empirical studies exist examining cross-cultural differences in perceptions about user-generated, experience-based information compared to expertise-based information sources.Objective: To investigate if cultural variations exist in patterns of online health information seeking, specifically in perceptions of online health information sources. It was hypothesized that Koreans and Hongkongers, compared to Americans, would be more likely to trust and use experience-based knowledge shared in social Internet sites, such as social media and online support groups. Conversely, Americans, compared to Koreans and Hongkongers, would value expertise-based knowledge prepared and approved by doctors or professional health providers more.Methods: Survey questionnaires were developed in English first and then translated into Korean and Chinese. The back-translation method ensured the standardization of questions. Surveys were administered using a standardized recruitment strategy and data collection methods.Results: A total of 826 participants living in metropolitan areas from the United States (n=301), Korea (n=179), and Hong Kong (n=337) participated in the study. We found significant cultural differences in information processing preferences for online health information. A planned contrast test revealed that Koreans and Hongkongers showed more trust in experience-based health information sources (blogs: t451.50=11.21, P<.001; online support group: t455.71=9.30, P<.001; social networking sites [SNS]: t466.75=11.36, P<.001) and also reported using blogs (t515.31=6.67, P<.001) and SNS (t529.22=4.51, P<.001) more frequently than Americans. Americans showed a stronger preference for using expertise-based information sources (eg, WebMD and CDC) compared to Koreans and Hongkongers (t360.02=3.01, P=.003). Trust in expertise-based information sources was universal, demonstrating no cultural differences (Brown-Forsythe F2,654=1.82, P=.16). Culture also contributed significantly to differences in searching information on behalf of family members (t480.38=5.99, P<.001) as well as to the goals of information searching.Conclusions: This research found significant cultural differences in information processing preferences for online health information. Further discussion is included regarding effective communication strategies in providing quality health information. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]