Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 2, 2026
Semiconductor Sequencing for Preimplantation Genetic Testing for Aneuploidy
Published on: August 25, 2019
Aiding risk information learning through simulated experience (ARISE): Using simulated outcomes to improve
Pete Wegier1, Victoria A Shaffer2
1Department of Health Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA.
Objective:
To determine whether the use of simulated experiences to communicate statistical information can improve an individual's understanding of conditional probabilities-specifically the positive predictive value (PPV) of prenatal screening tests for Down syndrome.
Methods:
In Experiment 1 (N=64) and Experiment 2 (N=180) participants were asked to estimate the PPV of a prenatal screening test for Down syndrome based on either (1) explicit statistics regarding the prevalence of Down syndrome and the sensitivity and specificity of a prenatal screening test for Down syndrome, or (2) experiencing up to 5000 simulated test results over a short time.
Results:
Participants' estimates of the PPV were more accurate when they had learned via simulated experiences (79% accuracy) compared with estimates based on explicitly described statistics (14%). Participants in the simulated experience condition also reported decreased interest in screening and decreased concern with a positive test result.
Conclusion:
Simulated experiences improve PPV estimates, compared to estimates derived from explicitly provided statistics, while also shifting attitudes away from screening.
Practice Implications:
The use of simulated experiences may prove to be simple but powerful tool to communicate complex statistical information to patients in medical decision making situations.
Related Concept Videos
01:49Probability Laws
01:24Testing a Claim about Population Proportion
There are two methods of testing a claim about a population proportion: (1) Using the sample proportion from the data where a binomial distribution is approximated to the normal distribution and (2) Using the binomial probabilities calculated from the data.
The first method uses normal distribution as an approximation to the binomial distribution. The requirements are as follows: sample size is large...
01:00Punnett Squares
02:57Meiosis vs. Mitosis
Before the start of mitosis and meiosis I, the cell synthesizes DNA, resulting in two homologous copies of each chromosome. DNA synthesis is...
02:46Genetic Screens
Forward genetic screens
Forward or “classical” genetic screens involve creating random mutations in an organism’s DNA using radiation, mutagens, or insertion of additional bases, which...
01:52Regression Toward the Mean