Question

Which of the following are relevant areas of preference inconsistency that Clocky is able to help? \(\left[\mathrm{LO}_{23} .3\right]\) a. The optimal volume for an alarm. b. What time to go to bed at night. c. What time to wake up in the morning. d. Whether an alarm should be placed on the bedside table or across the room.

Short answer

Clocky helps with preference inconsistency by making the user place the alarm across the room.

Step-by-step solution

Understand the Concept of Preference Inconsistency

Preference inconsistency refers to situations where individuals have changing or conflicting preferences over time. In this context, a person might want one thing at a certain time but contradict that desire later.

Analyze Each Option for Inconsistency

Evaluate each option to determine if it involves inconsistent preferences wherein people's choices or decisions might conflict based on various factors across time. - **Option a:** The optimal volume for an alarm might be consistent depending on preference changes. However, it depends less on Clocky's unique features. - **Option b:** Choosing a bedtime is a decision where preferences may not directly change due to a Clocky feature. - **Option c:** Deciding what time to wake up could change based on the days of the week or personal events, but relates less to what Clocky helps with. - **Option d:** Whether to place an alarm by the bedside or across the room may vary since placing an alarm across the room encourages getting up to turn it off, which is directly related to Clocky's functionality.

Determine Which Option Clocky Helps Improve Consistency

Clocky is specifically designed to help with preference inconsistency related to placing an alarm such that it must be interacted with actively, helping maintain a consistent wake-up preference.

Conclude with the Relevant Option

Based on the analysis, place an alarm across the room (option d) is the area of preference inconsistency Clocky directly addresses, ensuring people physically get out of bed to turn off the alarm.

Key concepts

Decision Making

Decision making is the process of choosing between alternatives to achieve a desired outcome. This process, while simple in concept, can often involve complex considerations due to conflicting preferences or external factors.
In our context, the decision revolves around waking up in the morning and how an alarm can assist in that process.
Clocky, a unique alarm clock, introduces complexity by requiring the user to get out of bed to turn it off.
This forces users to make decisions about where to place the alarm.
Making decisions about alarm placement involves:

• Weighing pros and cons: For example, if the alarm is near the bed, it's easy to snooze, but setting it across the room forces physical activity.
• Adjusting to changing situations: Weekdays might require different decisions than weekends.

Inconsistent decisions, like moving the alarm closer just to hit snooze, reflect preference inconsistency.
Clocky's design helps users make consistent decisions by not allowing for easy reversibility.

Behavioral Economics

Behavioral economics examines how psychological factors impact economic decisions, often leading to preference inconsistency. This can occur when a person's short-term desires conflict with long-term goals.
For example, wanting extra sleep (short-term) conflicts with the goal of waking up on time (long-term). Clocky helps mitigate behavior contrary to stated preferences by making it harder to hit the snooze button.
This encourages users to behave in a way that aligns with their long-term intentions of getting up on time.
Key principles from behavioral economics observed with Clocky include:

• Nudging: Encouraging desired behavior by altering the environment (e.g., alarm placement).
• Commitment devices: Tools or hacks that help lock in a future action, like buying Clocky to prevent oversleeping.

Clocky is therefore a practical application of behavioral economic theories, transforming morning routines through deliberate changes in behavior.

Time Management

Effective time management is critical in balancing various tasks and preferences throughout the day.
It demands a mindful approach to organize and prioritize activities, ensuring one's schedule meets both personal and professional needs.
When it comes to waking up on time, alarms like Clocky play an integral part in managing one's morning schedule. A disciplined wake-up routine aids:

• Establishing a regular sleep schedule: Promotes adequate rest and a more consistent waking habit.
• Reducing morning rush: More time for essential morning activities without feeling hurried.

Clocky aids in these efforts by physically requiring the user to get up to silence the alarm.
This enforces a habit of getting up promptly at the desired time, cultivating a disciplined approach to time management.