Relationships between basic psychological needs and violent extremist Attitudes: The mediating role of actively open-minded thinking

Investigating the relationship of actively open-minded thinking in future time perspectives among Saudi undergraduate students

This study investigated the basic functions of active open-minded reasoning and future time perspectives by examining the role of sex and study discipline in determining future time perspectives among Saudi college students. The sample included 1796 Saudi students (40% female). This study employed active open-minded thinking and future time perspective scales and discovered a relationship between active open-minded thinking and its sub-factors as well as future time perspectives. Multilinear regression analysis revealed that repeated open-minded thinking had a significant impact on forecasting time perspectives. Furthermore, sex and study discipline served as bridges in forecasting future time perspectives. Furthermore, the results revealed differences between male and female participants. However, the research results of the study discipline (i.e., social sciences and humanities) demonstrated a larger contribution to open-minded thinking and future time perspectives. Our findings revealed that active open-minded thinking was related to sex. In addition, the study discipline had a major influence on expectations of time perspectives. We conclude that active open-minded thinking contributes significantly to forecasting time perspectives.

Can science fiction engagement predict identification with all humanity? Testing a moderated mediation model

Identification with all humanity (IWAH) is viewed as a critical construct that facilitates global solidarity. However, its origins have rarely been explored in previous literature, and no study has yet investigated the role of pop-culture in cultivating IWAH. To address this gap, this study initially focuses on science fiction (sci-fi), a specific pop-culture genre with worldwide audiences, and examines its effect on IWAH. It hypothesized a direct association between sci-fi engagement and IWAH from the narrative persuasion approach, and an indirect association via abstract construal based on the cognitive-literary approach. Moreover, the moderating role of actively open-minded thinking (AOT) in the direct and indirect association was also assessed. Results were obtained through a cross-sectional survey conducted in China (n = 570) and showed that sci-fi engagement was positively associated with IWAH; this association was also partially mediated by abstract construal. Interestingly, and inconsistent with our hypotheses, AOT positively moderated the indirect effect but negatively moderated the direct effect. Theoretical and practical implications for cultivating IWAH from the media and pop-cultural perspective were discussed.