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Unger A, Li Z, Papastamatelou J, Bi C. Influence of social mindfulness and Zhongyong thinking style on cooperative financial decision making in a Western sample. Psych J 2024; 13:749-759. [PMID: 38778563 PMCID: PMC11444720 DOI: 10.1002/pchj.764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Social mindfulness and Zhongyong thinking style are of high importance when evaluating relevant co-actors in the social world. The current study investigates the influence of social mindfulness and Zhongyong thinking style on cooperative financial decision making in a public goods game among a Canadian sample. We hypothesize that higher perceived social mindfulness and higher perceived Zhongyong thinking style will increase the amount of money contributed to a joint project in a public goods game. The sample was a prolific-based online recruited sample of n = 125 Canadians. We observed a significant main effect of Zhongyong thinking style on the amount of contributed money in the public goods game. Social mindfulness did not reach significance. The influence of Zhongyong thinking style was qualified by a significant Zhongyong by gender interaction, indicating that females but not males reduced their contributions if the Zhongyong thinking style of the co-actor was manipulated as being low. It is shown that Zhongyong thinking style is also relevant in a Western cultural setting. Future research is needed, however, to investigate further the reasons for the differences between females and males.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Unger
- East Asia Institute, Ludwigshafen University of Business and Society, Ludwigshafen, Germany
| | - Zixuan Li
- Mental Health Education Center, Changsha University of Science and Technology, Changsha, China
| | - Julie Papastamatelou
- Study Program of Business Psychology, University of Applied Management Studies (HdWM), Mannheim, Germany
| | - Chongzeng Bi
- Research Center for Psychology and Social Development, Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
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2
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Yang W, Hu D, Guo Y. The relationship between school bullying victimization and social mindfulness in middle school students: a chain mediating model of self-concept clarity and cognition reappraisal. Front Psychol 2024; 15:1388301. [PMID: 39161691 PMCID: PMC11330770 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1388301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 07/23/2024] [Indexed: 08/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Objective To determine the relationship between school bullying victimization and social mindfulness and its mechanism in light of the interdependence and schema theories. Method The Chinese version of the Delaware Bullying Victimization Scale-student, Emotion Regulation Questionnaire, Self-Concept Clarity Scale and The Social Mindfulness Self-report Scale (SMSRS) were distributed to 553 middle school students. Results (1) The correlations of school bullying victimization with social mindfulness, self-concept clarity, and cognition reappraisal were statistically significant. (2) School bullying victimization had a significant effect on social mindfulness. (3) The simple mediating role of self-concept clarity and cognition reappraisal between school bullying victimization and social mindfulness were significant. (4) Self-concept clarity and cognition reappraisal played a chain mediating role between school bullying victimization and social mindfulness.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ying Guo
- School of Psychology, Sichuan Normal University, Chengdu, China
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3
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Chen H, Liu C, Wu K, Liu CY, Chiou WK. The effects of loving-kindness meditation on doctors' communication anxiety, trust, calling and defensive medicine practice. Biopsychosoc Med 2024; 18:11. [PMID: 38730309 PMCID: PMC11088149 DOI: 10.1186/s13030-024-00307-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The study investigated the effects of loving-kindness meditation (LKM) on doctors' communication anxiety, trust, calling, and defensive medicine practice. METHODS This study recruited 94 doctors from a hospital in China, randomized them to an LKM group (n = 47), and waited for the control group (n = 47). The experimental group accepted an 8-week LKM interference while the waiting for the control group underwent no interference. Researchers measured four major variable factors (communication anxiety, trust, calling, and defensive medicine practice) before and after the LKM intervention. RESULTS In the experimental group, trust, and calling were significantly higher, and communication anxiety, and defensive medicine practice were significantly lower than in the control group. In the control group, there were no noticeable differences in any of the four variables between the pre-test and post-test. CONCLUSIONS The results of this study demonstrate that LKM may help to improve trust, and calling, and reduce communication anxiety and defensive medicine practice. The finding of LKM's effect extends the understanding of the integrative effects of positive psychology on the decrease of defensive medicine practice. TRIAL REGISTRATION ChiCTR2300074568. Registered in Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR), 9 August, 2023.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Chen
- School of Film Television & Communication, Xiamen University of Technology, Xiamen, China
- Business Analytics Research Center, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, 33302, Taiwan
| | - Chao Liu
- School of Journalism and Communication, Hua Qiao University, Xiamen, 361021, China
- Business Analytics Research Center, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, 33302, Taiwan
| | - Kan Wu
- Business Analytics Research Center, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, 33302, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Yih Liu
- Department of Psychiatry, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Ko Chiou
- Department of Psychiatry, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
- Department of Industrial Engineering and Management, Ming Chi University of Technology, New Taipei, Taiwan.
- Department of Industrial Design, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
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4
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Cao J, Liu X. The melody of language learning at intermediate and upper levels: an emphasis on free discussion panels as an indispensable part of language classes and the effects on willingness to communicate, growth mindfulness, and autonomy. BMC Psychol 2024; 12:159. [PMID: 38500159 PMCID: PMC10949781 DOI: 10.1186/s40359-024-01645-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024] Open
Abstract
This qualitative study investigated the impact of discussion panels on language education, focusing on willingness to communicate (WTC), growth mindfulness, and autonomy among Chinese learners at intermediate and upper-intermediate proficiency levels. The study, conducted in Hebei, China, involved 27 learners, with 14 in the experimental group exposed to discussion panels and 13 in the control group receiving traditional teacher-fronted lessons. The research design employed semi-structured interviews, observations, and document analysis for data collection, analyzed manually through thematic analysis. Results revealed that learners in the experimental group exhibited heightened WTC, increased growth mindfulness, and greater autonomy compared to the control group. The discussion panels facilitated authentic language use, collaborative discourse, and turn-taking, aligning with communication theory, sociocultural theory (SCT), and learner-centered pedagogy. Findings also resonated with the significance of WTC in language learning, supported by established theories. Additionally, the study contributes to the growing literature on the intersection of mindfulness, autonomy, and language education. Implications for language teachers, policy-makers, syllabus-designers, and materials developers are discussed, emphasizing the potential benefits of integrating discussion panels. The study concludes with insights into limitations, suggestions for further research, and a call for pedagogical innovation to enhance language learning experiences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaxue Cao
- Department of English Language, College of Foreign Languages, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, Hebei Province, 063210, PR China.
| | - Xiaoshuang Liu
- Tangshan Normal University, Tangshan, Hebei Province, 063000, China
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5
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Altmann T, Roth M. Testing the social mindfulness paradigm: Longitudinal evidence of its unidimensionality, reliability, validity, and replicability in a sample of health care providers. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0281738. [PMID: 36763622 PMCID: PMC9916553 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0281738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Social mindfulness is a relatively new concept in psychological research and is attracting increasing attention. Recent studies have provided evidence of its relevance with regard to prosocial behavior and empathy, but also concerning individual well-being and psychological health. In such studies, social mindfulness has been assessed using the social mindfulness paradigm by Van Doesum and colleagues, which is the standard measure of social mindfulness to date. However, evidence is scarce or lacking with regard to whether this measurement approach is unidimensional, whether it produces (test-retest) reliable and valid measurements, and whether its associations with personality and empathy are replicable. METHODS To test these assumptions, we assessed a sample of 265 participants currently working in health care professions on social mindfulness, several concepts of empathy, and the HEXACO personality dimensions longitudinally at two measurement occasions. RESULTS The results supported the assumption of unidimensionality of the measure. Partial support was found for its reliability, validity, and replicability. Test-retest reliability was acceptable, but the associations with personality and empathy turned out weaker than expected. CONCLUSIONS The social mindfulness paradigm is an interesting approach toward understanding social mindfulness, meaning mindfulness of other people's needs. Potential directions for the further development of the social mindfulness paradigm and its network of relations, especially to empathy, are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tobias Altmann
- Department of Psychology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
- * E-mail:
| | - Marcus Roth
- Department of Psychology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
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6
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Is social mindfulness perceptible and effective? Its associations with personality as judged by others and its impact on patients' satisfaction with their care teams. PERSONALITY AND INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.paid.2022.111920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
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7
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Van Doesum NJ, Van Lange PAM, Tybur JM, Leal A, Van Dijk E. People from lower social classes elicit greater prosociality: Compassion and deservingness matter. GROUP PROCESSES & INTERGROUP RELATIONS 2022. [DOI: 10.1177/1368430220982072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
People are quick to form impressions of others’ social class, and likely adjust their behavior accordingly. If social class is linked to prosociality, as literature suggests, then an interaction partner’s class should affect prosocial behavior, especially when costs or investments are low. We test this expectation using social mindfulness (SoMi) and dictator games (DG) as complementary measures of prosociality. We manipulate target class by providing information regarding a target’s (a) position on a social class ladder, and (b) family background. Three studies using laboratory and online approaches ( Noverall = 557) in two nations (the Netherlands [NL], the UK), featuring actual and hypothetical exchanges, reveal that lower class targets are met with greater prosociality than higher class targets, even when based on information about the targets’ parents (Study 3). The effect of target class was partially mediated by compassion (Studies 2 and 3) and perceived deservingness of the target (Study 3). Implications and limitations are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Ana Leal
- University of Groningen, the Netherlands
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8
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Examining how and when Facebook intensive use shapes users’ online pro-social behaviors. TELEMATICS AND INFORMATICS 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tele.2021.101753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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9
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Abstract
Humans are social animals, but not everyone will be mindful of others to the same extent. Individual differences have been found, but would social mindfulness also be shaped by one's location in the world? Expecting cross-national differences to exist, we examined if and how social mindfulness differs across countries. At little to no material cost, social mindfulness typically entails small acts of attention or kindness. Even though fairly common, such low-cost cooperation has received little empirical attention. Measuring social mindfulness across 31 samples from industrialized countries and regions (n = 8,354), we found considerable variation. Among selected country-level variables, greater social mindfulness was most strongly associated with countries' better general performance on environmental protection. Together, our findings contribute to the literature on prosociality by targeting the kind of everyday cooperation that is more focused on communicating benevolence than on providing material benefits.
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10
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Kil H, O'Neill D, Grusec JE. Prosocial motivation as a mediator between dispositional mindfulness and prosocial behavior. PERSONALITY AND INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.paid.2021.110806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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11
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Social mindfulness is normative when costs are low, but rapidly declines with increases in costs. JUDGMENT AND DECISION MAKING 2021. [DOI: 10.1017/s1930297500008585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
AbstractAs a complement to high-cost cooperation as assessed in economic games, the concept of social mindfulness focuses on low-cost acts of kindness. While social mindfulness seems quite natural, performed by many most of the time (reaching a level of 60–70 percent), what happens if such acts become more costly, and if costs become more salient? The present research replicates the prevalence of social mindfulness when costs are salient, but low. Yet we show that, with small increments in costs, the vast majority no longer exhibits social mindfulness. This holds even if we keep the outcomes for self high in comparison with the beneficiary. We conclude that the literature on social mindfulness should pay attention to cost. Clearly, if being socially mindful comes with high costs, this is not what most people are prepared to do. In contrast as long as costs are low and not salient, social mindfulness seems natural and normative.
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12
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Liu YZ, Wang YJ. Self-control and organizational citizenship behavior: The role of vocational delay of gratification and job satisfaction. Work 2021; 68:797-806. [PMID: 33612522 DOI: 10.3233/wor-203413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Self-control is an important factor in predicting employees' organizational citizenship behavior, but previous studies have not examined the internal mechanism by which self-control affects organizational citizenship behavior. OBJECTIVE The current study aimed to explore the relationship between self-control and employees' organizational citizenship behavior and to test the mediating effects of vocational delay of gratification and job satisfaction. METHODS Participants were 474 full-time employees (187 male, 287 female) from different companies in South China. They answered online self-report questionnaires that assessed self-control, vocational delay of gratification, job satisfaction, and organizational citizenship behavior. Path analyses were conducted and a bootstrap technique was used to judge the significance of the mediation. RESULTS The results showed that high self-control employees were more willing to engage in citizenship behavior that benefitted their organizations and colleagues, and the chain mediating effect of vocational delay of gratification and job satisfaction between self-control and organizational citizenship behavior was significant. CONCLUSIONS These findings provide insights to management regarding the mechanism to promote and maintain employees' pro-organizational behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao-Zhong Liu
- School of Management, Jinan University, Guangzhou, P. R. China.,School of Economics and Management, Guangzhou Huashang College, Guangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Yu-Jie Wang
- School of Management, Jinan University, Guangzhou, P. R. China.,Mental Health Education and Counseling Center, Guangdong Industry Polytechnic, Guangzhou, P. R. China
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13
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Van Doesum NJ, de Vries RE, Blokland AAJ, Hill JM, Kuhlman DM, Stivers AW, Tybur JM, Van Lange PAM. Social mindfulness: Prosocial the active way. THE JOURNAL OF POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY 2020. [DOI: 10.1080/17439760.2019.1579352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Niels J. Van Doesum
- Department of Social and Organizational Psychology, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands
- Department of Experimental and Applied Psychology, VU Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Reinout E. de Vries
- Department of Experimental and Applied Psychology, VU Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Department of Educational Science, University of Twente, Enschede, Netherlands
| | - Arjan A. J. Blokland
- Netherlands Institute for the Study of Crime and Law Enforcement (NSCR), Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Institute of Criminal Law and Criminology, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Jessica M. Hill
- Netherlands Institute for the Study of Crime and Law Enforcement (NSCR), Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Ministerie van Justitie en Veiligheid, Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek- en Documentatiecentrum (WODC), The Hague, Netherlands
| | - David M. Kuhlman
- Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, USA
| | - Adam W. Stivers
- Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, USA
- Department of Psychology, Gonzaga University, Spokane, WA, USA
| | - Joshua M. Tybur
- Department of Experimental and Applied Psychology, VU Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Paul A. M. Van Lange
- Department of Experimental and Applied Psychology, VU Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
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14
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Lu J, Huang X, Liao C, Guan Q, Qi XR, Cui F. Social Mindfulness Shown by Individuals With Higher Status Is More Pronounced in Our Brain: ERP Evidence. Front Neurosci 2020; 13:1432. [PMID: 32038139 PMCID: PMC6988832 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2019.01432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2019] [Accepted: 12/18/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
"Social mindfulness" refers to being thoughtful of others and considering their needs before making decisions, and can be characterized by low-cost and subtle gestures. The present study compared the behavioral and neural responses triggered by observing others' socially mindful/unmindful choices and how these responses were modulated by the social status of the agency. At the behavioral level, observing socially mindful choices made observers feel better, rate the actors as more likable, and behave more cooperatively than did observing socially unmindful choices. Analysis of event-related potentials in the brain revealed that compared with socially unmindful choices, mindful choices elicited more negative feedback-related negativity (FRN). Notably, while this effect of social mindfulness was only significant when the actor's social status was medium and high, it was undetectable when the actor's social status was low. These results demonstrate that the social mindfulness of others can be rapidly detected and processed, as reflected by FRN, even though it does not seem to receive further, more elaborate evaluation. These findings indicated that low-cost cooperative behaviors such as social mindfulness can also be detected and appreciated by our brain, which may result in better mood and more cooperative behaviors in the perceivers. Besides, the perception of social mindfulness is sensitive to important social information, such as social status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juanzhi Lu
- School of Psychology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xiaoxuan Huang
- School of Psychology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Chong Liao
- School of Psychology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Qing Guan
- School of Psychology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xin-Rui Qi
- Center for Translational Neurodegeneration and Regenerative Therapy, Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital Affiliated to Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Fang Cui
- School of Psychology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Affective and Social Cognitive Science, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
- Center for Brain Disorders and Cognitive Neuroscience, Shenzhen, China
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15
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Fasbender U, Burmeister A, Wang M. Motivated to be socially mindful: Explaining age differences in the effect of employees’ contact quality with coworkers on their coworker support. PERSONNEL PSYCHOLOGY 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/peps.12359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ulrike Fasbender
- Work and Organizational PsychologyJustus‐Liebig‐University Giessen Giessen Germany
| | - Anne Burmeister
- Rotterdam School of ManagementErasmus University Rotterdam Rotterdam The Netherlands
| | - Mo Wang
- Department of Management, Warrington College of BusinessUniversity of Florida Gainesville Florida
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16
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Li JJ, Dou K, Wang YJ, Nie YG. Why Awe Promotes Prosocial Behaviors? The Mediating Effects of Future Time Perspective and Self-Transcendence Meaning of Life. Front Psychol 2019; 10:1140. [PMID: 31191387 PMCID: PMC6548882 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2018] [Accepted: 04/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Awe is an emotion experience when individuals encounter with such powerful stimulate beyond their own understanding. Guided by conceptual analysis of awe as a trait positive emotion, we tested the hypothesis that dispositional awe results in an improvement of individual's self-transcendence meaning of life (STML) and affects future time perspective, and increase prosocial behavior. Mediational data demonstrate that the effects of awe on prosociality are explained, by improving STML self and future time perspective. These findings indicate that awe may help situate individuals within broader social contexts and enhance collective concern.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing-Jing Li
- Research Center of Adolescent Psychology and Behavior, School of Education, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Kai Dou
- Research Center of Adolescent Psychology and Behavior, School of Education, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yu-Jie Wang
- School of Marxism, Guangdong Industry Polytechnic, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yan-Gang Nie
- Research Center of Adolescent Psychology and Behavior, School of Education, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, China
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17
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Lemmers-Jansen ILJ, Fett AKJ, Van Doesum NJ, Van Lange PAM, Veltman DJ, Krabbendam L. Social Mindfulness and Psychosis: Neural Response to Socially Mindful Behavior in First-Episode Psychosis and Patients at Clinical High-Risk. Front Hum Neurosci 2019; 13:47. [PMID: 30814943 PMCID: PMC6381043 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2019.00047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2018] [Accepted: 01/29/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Psychosis is characterized by problems in social functioning and trust, the assumed glue to positive social relations. But what helps building trust? A prime candidate could be social mindfulness: the ability and willingness to see and consider another person’s needs and wishes during social decision making. We investigated whether first-episode psychosis patients (FEP) and patients at clinical high-risk (CHR) show reduced social mindfulness, and examined the underlying neural mechanisms. Methods: Twenty FEP, 17 CHR and 46 healthy controls, aged 16–31, performed the social mindfulness task (SoMi) during fMRI scanning, spontaneously and after the instruction “to keep the other’s best interest in mind.” As first of two people, participants had to choose one out of four products, of which three were identical and one was unique, differing in a single aspect (e.g., color). Results: FEP tended to choose the unique item (unmindful choice) more often than controls. After instruction, all groups significantly increased the number of mindful choices compared to the spontaneous condition. FEP showed reduced activation of the caudate and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) during mindful, and of the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), mPFC, and left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) during unmindful decisions. CHR showed reduced activation of the ACC compared to controls. Discussion: FEP showed a trend toward more unmindful choices. A similar increase of mindful choices after instruction indicated the ability for social mindfulness when prompted. Results suggested reduced sensitivity to the rewarding aspects of social mindfulness in FEP, and reduced consideration for the other player. FEP (and CHR to a lesser extent) might perceive unmindful choices as less incongruent with the automatic mindful responses than controls. Reduced socially mindful behavior in FEP may hinder the building of trust and cooperative interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Imke L J Lemmers-Jansen
- Section of Educational Neuroscience, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands.,Section Clinical, Neuro- and Developmental Psychology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Anne-Kathrin J Fett
- Department of Psychology, City, University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Niels J Van Doesum
- Department of Experimental and Applied Psychology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands.,Social and Organisational Psychology, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Paul A M Van Lange
- Department of Experimental and Applied Psychology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Dick J Veltman
- Neuroscience Campus Amsterdam, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, VU Medical Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Lydia Krabbendam
- Section Clinical, Neuro- and Developmental Psychology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
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