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Fan Q, Wang X, Liu Y. Can Machiavellianism Not be Prosocial? Roles of Empathy and Death Anxiety. Psychol Rep 2023:332941231169665. [PMID: 37127436 DOI: 10.1177/00332941231169665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Machiavellianism has always been notorious, as it is egotistical and manipulative. This study aims to explore whether Machiavellian individuals would increase prosocial behavior to buffer death anxiety, based on Terror Management Theory. A total of 420 Chinese volunteers completed a survey regarding Machiavellianism, empathy (cognitive empathy, affective empathy), death anxiety, and prosocial behavior tendencies. The results indicated that affective empathy mediated the relationship between Machiavellianism and some types of prosocial behavior (total, altruistic, anonymous, compliant, dire and emotional), and the mediating effect was moderated by death anxiety. This finding revealed that although individuals with high levels of Machiavellianism were supposed to be callous, when suffering from death anxiety, they became more affective-empathetic, and thus more prosocial. Our study enriches the relationship between Machiavellianism and kindness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiujun Fan
- Department of Education, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Xuezhen Wang
- Department of Education, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yanan Liu
- Department of Education, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
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2
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Arroyos-Calvera D, Covey J, McDonald R. Are distributional preferences for safety stable? A longitudinal analysis before and after the COVID-19 outbreak. Soc Sci Med 2023; 324:115855. [PMID: 37001277 PMCID: PMC10035807 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2023.115855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Revised: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023]
Abstract
Policy makers aim to respect public preferences when making trade-offs between policies, yet most estimates of the value of safety neglect individuals' preferences over how safety is distributed. Incorporating these preferences into policy first requires measuring them. Arroyos-Calvera et al. (2019) documented that people cared most about efficiency, but that equity followed closely, and self-interest mattered too, but not enough to override preferences for efficiency and equity. Early 2020 saw the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. This event would impose major changes in how people perceived and experienced risk to life, creating an opportunity to test whether safety-related preferences are stable and robust to important contextual changes. Further developing Arroyos-Calvera et al.’s methodology and re-inviting an international general population sample of participants that had taken part in pre-pandemic online surveys in 2017 and 2018, we collected an April 2020 wave of the survey and showed that overall preferences for efficiency, equity and self-interest were remarkably stable before and after the pandemic outbreak. We hope this offers policy makers reassurance that once these preferences have been elicited from a representative sample of the population, they need not be re-estimated after important contextual changes.
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Bao Y, Zhang Y, Wang J. Exploring the relationship between exposure to COVID-19 and donations during the COVID-19 pandemic: The mediating roles of emotions and risk perception. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1052531. [PMID: 37082569 PMCID: PMC10110961 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1052531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 04/07/2023] Open
Abstract
ObjectivePublic emergency events like the COVID-19 pandemic are special occasions that need immediate massive funding from public donations. Thus, understanding the determinants of donation behaviors under public emergencies is important for both researchers and practitioners. This study investigated the effect of personal and local exposure to incidences of COVID-19 on donation behaviors. Specifically, we examined the mediating effects of risk perception and emotions on the relationship between exposure to COVID-19 and donation behaviors.MethodsThe data were from a survey distributed in China between March 20 and 30th, 2020. Participants’ donation choice at the end of the survey was used to measure their donation behaviors. Participants’ emotions, risk perception, and personal exposure were assessed in the questionnaire. Local exposure was the 30-day confirmed cases obtained from the National Health Commission of the People’s Republic of China. A total of 8,720 participants (Mean age = 28.91, 43.6% females) completed the online survey.ResultsBased on the results from the mediation analysis, we found that people with stronger positive and negative emotions, higher risk perception, and more personal exposure to COVID-19 were more likely to donate. Furthermore, the effects of both personal and local exposure on donations are mediated by risk perception and negative emotion. Both higher personal and local exposure led to stronger negative emotions and higher risk perception, which in turn led to more donation behaviors.DiscussionThis study extends our knowledge of donation behaviors during public emergencies. Our results suggest that policymakers and charity organizations should elicit stronger emotions and risk perception by exposing the severity of the disaster in advertisements to promote donations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun Bao
- Department of Psychology, New York University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Yan Zhang
- The Affiliated Kangning Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Institute of Sociology, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Junxiu Wang
- The Affiliated Kangning Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Institute of Sociology, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Junxiu Wang,
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Litofcenko J, Meyer M, Neumayr M, Pennerstorfer A. Charitable Giving in Times of Covid-19: Do Crises Forward the Better or the Worse in Individuals? VOLUNTAS : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF VOLUNTARY AND NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS 2023:1-13. [PMID: 37360505 PMCID: PMC9974051 DOI: 10.1007/s11266-023-00558-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
Why did some individuals react to the Covid-19 crisis in a prosocial manner, whereas others withdrew from society? To shed light onto this question, we investigate changing patterns of charitable giving during the pandemic. The study analyzes survey data of 2000 individuals, representative of the populations of Germany and Austria. Logistic regressions reveal that personal affectedness by Covid-19 seems to play a crucial role: those who were personally affected either mentally, financially, or health-wise during the first 12 months of Covid-19 were most likely to have changed their giving behavior. The observed patterns fit psychological explanations of how human beings process existential threats. Our findings indicate that a profound societal crisis in itself mainly leads to changes in charitable giving if individuals are severely affected on a personal level. Thereby, we contribute to a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying individuals' charitable giving behavior in times of crisis. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11266-023-00558-y.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Litofcenko
- Institute for Nonprofit Management, WU Vienna, University of Economics and Business, Welthandelsplatz 1, 1020 Vienna, Austria
| | - Michael Meyer
- Institute for Nonprofit Management, WU Vienna, University of Economics and Business, Welthandelsplatz 1, 1020 Vienna, Austria
| | - Michaela Neumayr
- Institute for Nonprofit Management, WU Vienna, University of Economics and Business, Welthandelsplatz 1, 1020 Vienna, Austria
| | - Astrid Pennerstorfer
- Institute for Social Policy, WU Vienna, University of Economics and Business, Welthandelsplatz 1, 1020 Vienna, Austria
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Guthrie D. How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Eco-Apocalypse: An Existential Approach to Accepting Eco-Anxiety. PERSPECTIVES ON PSYCHOLOGICAL SCIENCE 2023; 18:210-223. [PMID: 35969891 DOI: 10.1177/17456916221093613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Climate crisis presents a near-term existential threat to the human species, one that society has neither the physical nor psychological infrastructure to manage. Eco-anxiety increases as awareness about climate crisis spreads. Despite an urgent need for resources on how to help people cope with the psychological ramifications of climate crisis, there is little literature that both addresses people's apocalyptic fears and takes the scientific bases of those fears seriously. In this article, I synthesize research on existential psychology, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, grief, and end-of-life care to present an original perspective on how people, individually and collectively, can become psychologically resilient to climate crisis. First, I establish that death anxiety underlies eco-anxiety. Second, I demonstrate that preparing psychologically for eco-apocalypse requires people to cultivate death acceptance. Finally, I illustrate how commitment to palliative values can enable people to live rich and meaningful lives despite their most likely imminent end.
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Affiliation(s)
- Devin Guthrie
- Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, Texas A&M University
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Schindler S, Hilgard J, Fritsche I, Burke B, Pfattheicher S. Do Salient Social Norms Moderate Mortality Salience Effects? A (Challenging) Meta-Analysis of Terror Management Studies. PERSONALITY AND SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY REVIEW 2022; 27:195-225. [PMID: 35950528 PMCID: PMC10115940 DOI: 10.1177/10888683221107267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Terror management theory postulates that mortality salience (MS) increases the motivation to defend one's cultural worldviews. How that motivation is expressed may depend on the social norm that is momentarily salient. Meta-analyses were conducted on studies that manipulated MS and social norm salience. Results based on 64 effect sizes for the hypothesized interaction between MS and norm salience revealed a small-to-medium effect of g = 0.34, 95% confidence interval [0.26, 0.41]. Bias-adjustment techniques suggested the presence of publication bias and/or the exploitation of researcher degrees of freedom and arrived at smaller effect size estimates for the hypothesized interaction, in several cases reducing the effect to nonsignificance (range gcorrected = -0.36 to 0.15). To increase confidence in the idea that MS and norm salience interact to influence behavior, preregistered, high-powered experiments using validated norm salience manipulations are necessary. Concomitantly, more specific theorizing is needed to identify reliable boundary conditions of the effect.
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Impacts of COVID-19 on the post-pandemic behaviour: The role of mortality threats and religiosity. JOURNAL OF RETAILING AND CONSUMER SERVICES 2022; 67:102964. [PMCID: PMC8858701 DOI: 10.1016/j.jretconser.2022.102964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2021] [Revised: 12/28/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
This study explores the influence of intra-pandemic perceptions on travellers' post-pandemic hotel booking behaviour among crisis-resistant travellers and crisis-sensitive groups. It also examines the moderating role of mortality threats and religiosity on these behaviours. We collected quantitative data utilising survey method via questionnaires to address various levels of the research. We used PLS-SEM to evaluate our proposed model. We collected data from 1580 who had booked hotels in Egypt. Our study indicated that intra-pandemic perception has a stronger effect on travellers’ post-pandemic hotel booking behaviours if the travellers are less religious and feel deeply threatened by the idea of their own level of mortality. Moreover, it revealed that intra-pandemic perceptions had a stronger association with post-pandemic planned behaviour for travellers who chose to cancel their hotel booking plans. Our study also indicated that emergency public information plays a critical role in influencing post-pandemic planned behaviour. Our study offers effective strategies to aid hospitality and tourism practitioners when risky and threating situations such as COVID-19 arise, specifically in the period of response and recovery.
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Changing Personal Values through Value-Manipulation Tasks: A Systematic Literature Review Based on Schwartz's Theory of Basic Human Values. Eur J Investig Health Psychol Educ 2022; 12:692-715. [PMID: 35877452 PMCID: PMC9319275 DOI: 10.3390/ejihpe12070052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Revised: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
According to the Theory of Basic Human Values, values are relatively stable, but not immutable, abstract goals which strongly influence peoples’ lives. Since their relative stability, psychosocial research is attempting to understand the extent to which it is possible to induce a voluntary change in people’s personal values. The main aim of this study was to systematically review the existing literature on experiments to induce a value change, also highlighting the theoretical perspectives used to develop the experimental tasks. We conducted a literature search of five databases (SCOPUS, ProQuest, PsycINFO, PubMed, and Web of Science). After the screening and the eligibility phase, we included a total of 14 articles (25 experiments). Most of these studies involved university students and adopted a pre-and post-test design, using different manipulation tasks. The results highlighted the possibility of inducing a voluntary value change, assessed in terms of mean levels and/or rank order. These findings provide new insights regarding the stability of values in the light of the Theory of Basic Human Values. The practical implications and future research directions are discussed.
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Kim-Knauss Y, Lang FR, Rupprecht FS, Martin K, Fung HH. COVID-19 Worries Predict Aging Preparation: Culture- and Domain-Specific Perspectives. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci 2022; 77:1803-1813. [PMID: 35596721 DOI: 10.1093/geronb/gbac078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES We investigated whether worrying about COVID-19 predict people's engagement in aging preparation. Furthermore, we expected that this association would have culture- (i.e., Hong Kong, Germany) and domain-specific (i.e., finances, housing, care needs, connectedness, end-of-life) tendencies, as the culture and domains that are most severely hit by the pandemic differ. METHODS A total of 360 and 1,294 adults (aged 18 to 98 years) living in Hong Kong and Germany, respectively, participated in a web-based study. We fitted our data to a multilevel model in order to take into account the interdependence of domains (i.e., Level 1) within the same individual (i.e., Level 2). RESULTS The results revealed that reporting higher COVID-19 worries was associated with pandemic-induced aging preparation, and this association was particularly apparent for Germans in comparison to those from Hong Kong. When domains were specified, this cultural difference appeared significantly stronger for the domains of care, connectedness, and end-of-life than finances and housing. DISCUSSION Findings imply that worrying about the COVID-19 pandemic predicts people to engage in aging preparation particularly in the culture and domains most affected by the pandemic. These results from those worried about the virus may be attributed to the increased self-relevance to the topic and hence motivation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Fiona S Rupprecht
- Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg.,University of Vienna
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10
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Chew PKH. Big Data Analysis of Terror Management Theory's Predictions in the COVID-19 Pandemic. OMEGA-JOURNAL OF DEATH AND DYING 2022:302228221092583. [PMID: 35440220 PMCID: PMC9024090 DOI: 10.1177/00302228221092583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The current study aimed to address the limitations of the terror management theory literature by using big data analysis to examine the theory's predictions in the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, Google Trends were examined before and after the first COVID-19 case was identified in Singapore. The results showed that there was a significant increase in mortality salience, intergroup conflict, and prosocial behavior, and a significant decrease in materialism after the first COVID-19 case was identified. However, no significant differences were found for anxiety. Limitations include the assumption that search terms reflect intentions that would eventually lead to a relevant behavior and the lack of data from other sources to corroborate with the results from Google Trends. Future research could use data from other sources to examine the effects of COVID-19 on theoretically relevant behaviors.
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11
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Sajid KS, Hussain S, Hussain RI, Mustafa B. The Effect of Fear of COVID-19 on Green Purchase Behavior in Pakistan: A Multi-Group Analysis Between Infected and Non-infected. Front Psychol 2022; 13:826870. [PMID: 35422735 PMCID: PMC9002235 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.826870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and its effects on an individual's life have altered the consumer behavior. In the context of purchase and consumption, a shift from conventional to green purchase has been noticed. Although the factors underlying this shift were relatively unexplored, the study aimed to identify the factors that influenced a significant role in the green purchases during the outbreak and the relationship of these factors with green purchase behavior (GPB). Subsequently, this study investigates and interprets the role of fear of COVID-19 (FCV), psychological distress (PD), and mortality salience (MS) in predicting consumer's GPB. This research adopted a quantitative methodology using data collected from 432 respondents in various cities across Pakistan. Smart-PLS 3 was used to evaluate the measurement model, structural model, and multi-group analysis (MGA). Despite having the negative psychological and physical impact of the pandemic, a significant proportion of customers have switched to healthier and sustainable products. This research revealed that the FCV, PD, and MS plays a substantial role in adopting GPB. All the direct relationships were positive and significant. In addition, MS and PD partially mediate the effect of FCV on GPB. Furthermore, the MGA revealed that the infected respondents were interested in purchasing green products than uninfected respondents due to their FCV; conversely, the PD and MS were higher in uninfected individuals than infected ones. However, there is a vast literature on GPB, but little has investigated the cumulative impact of FCV, PD, and MS on GPB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kubra S Sajid
- Department of Management Sciences, University of Okara, Okara, Pakistan
| | - Shahbaz Hussain
- Department of Management Sciences, University of Okara, Okara, Pakistan.,The Evidence-Based Research Center for Educational Assessment, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Rai I Hussain
- Department of Management Sciences, University of Okara, Okara, Pakistan
| | - Bakhtawar Mustafa
- School of Business, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, United States
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Milyavsky M, Chernikova M. Agency and Assistance Are Compensatory When They Are Perceived as Substitutable Means: A Response to Commentaries. PSYCHOLOGICAL INQUIRY 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/1047840x.2022.2038009] [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: 10/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Maxim Milyavsky
- Faculty of Business Administration, Ono Academic College, Kiryat Ono, Israel
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13
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Abstract
In the face of crises-wars, pandemics, and natural disasters-both increased selfishness and increased generosity may emerge. In this paper, we study the relationship between the presence of COVID-19 threat and generosity using a four-year longitudinal dataset (N = 696,942) capturing real donations made before and during the pandemic, as well as allocations from a 6-month dictator game study (N = 1003 participants) during the early months of the pandemic. Consistent with the notion of "catastrophe compassion" and contrary to some prior research showing a tendency toward self-interested behavior under threat, individuals across both datasets exhibited greater financial generosity when their county experienced COVID-19 threat. While we find that the presence of threat impacted individual giving, behavior was not sensitive to threat level. Our findings have significant societal implications and advance our understanding of economic and psychological theories of social preferences under threat.
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14
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Heller I, Halabi S. The Underlying Process of Prosocial Behavior Among Soldiers: A Terror Management Theory Perspective. Front Psychol 2022; 12:770723. [PMID: 35095654 PMCID: PMC8797155 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.770723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The mortality salience (MS) hypothesis postulates that anxiety elicited by mortality awareness leads people to develop negative emotions toward those who hold values inconsistent with their worldview faith. We explored this hypothesis in a sample of 76 Israeli combat soldiers, who were asked to reflect on either their mortality or dental pain. Subsequently, participants reported their motivation to help a father in need who was either an Arab (outgroup) or a Jewish Israeli (ingroup), as well as their perceptions of threat by Arab Israelis. Regression analysis indicated that mortality reminders intensified soldiers’ perception of threat by the outgroup, leading to an increased desire to assist a Jewish-Israeli father, and a decreased motivation to help an Arab-Israeli one. The findings demonstrate the pronounced effects of MS on soldiers involved in frequent combat actions in terms of evoking negative emotions leading to reluctance to help unarmed civilian outgroup members. Recommendations for soldiers’ pre-deployment psychoeducation sessions are provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ido Heller
- Academic College of Tel Aviv-Yaffo, Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel
| | - Samer Halabi
- Academic College of Tel Aviv-Yaffo, Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel
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15
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Moreno L, Requero B, Santos D, Paredes B, Briñol P, Petty RE. Attitudes and attitude certainty guiding pro‐social behaviour as a function of perceived elaboration. EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ejsp.2798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Lorena Moreno
- Department of Psychology Universidad Autónoma de Madrid Madrid Spain
| | - Blanca Requero
- Department of Psychology Universidad Villanueva Madrid Spain
| | - David Santos
- IE School of Human Sciences and Technology IE University Segovia Spain
| | - Borja Paredes
- Department of Psychology Universidad Autónoma de Madrid Madrid Spain
| | - Pablo Briñol
- Department of Psychology Universidad Autónoma de Madrid Madrid Spain
| | - Richard E. Petty
- Department of Psychology Ohio State University Columbus Ohio USA
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Jin SV, Ryu E. "The greedy I that gives"-The paradox of egocentrism and altruism: Terror management and system justification perspectives on the interrelationship between mortality salience and charitable donations amid the COVID-19 pandemic. THE JOURNAL OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS 2022; 56:414-448. [PMID: 34226753 PMCID: PMC8242723 DOI: 10.1111/joca.12381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2020] [Revised: 02/09/2021] [Accepted: 03/21/2021] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Why do people give and help others in face of their own mortality salience? The existential struggle with the awareness of death impacts the gamut of human cognition, emotion, and behavior. This multi-method research (∑N = 1,219) explains the psychosocial impact of COVID-19-related mortality salience on altruism. Drawing from terror management theory, two studies tested death-thought accessibility, mortality salience, and anxiety buffer hypotheses. Study 1 (cross-sectional survey), using structural equation modeling, confirms death anxiety and fear are predictors of powerlessness and materialism which, in turn, predict charitable donations. Study 2 (between-subjects experiment) confirms the causal effects of COVID-19-induced mortality salience on altruism. Controlling income and socioeconomic status, people in the mortality salience treatment condition indicate greater monetary donations ($), ratio of prosocial (altruistic) to proself (egocentric) spending (%), donation of time (hour), monetary valuation of time (hourly rate = $/hour), and economic value of donated time (hourly rate*hour) than the controls. These effects are mediated by powerlessness. Moderating effects of relevant individual difference factors are significant: the greedier, more selfish, narcissistic, materialistic, and system-justifying the donor is, the higher monetary donations, volunteer time, and perceived value of donated time are, only when the COVID-19-induced mortality is made salient but not in the controls. Environmental and dispositional factors jointly influence vulnerability to mortality salience. The paradox of egocentrism and altruism, as an evolutionarily adaptive protective buffer against existential insecurity for social and cultural animals, can help revitalize resilience, thus shedding some lights on the sociopsychological mechanism of consumers' subjective well-being. Implications for consumer affairs, social marketers, and policymakers are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- S. Venus Jin
- NU‐Q Communication DepartmentNorthwestern University in QatarEducation CityDohaQatar
| | - Ehri Ryu
- Department of PsychologyBoston CollegeChestnut HillMassachusettsUSA
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Shulman D, Halperin E, Reifen-Tagar M. Personal experience with Covid-19 is associated with increased environmental concern and pro-environmental behavioral intentions. CURRENT RESEARCH IN ECOLOGICAL AND SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY 2022; 3:100031. [PMID: 35098190 PMCID: PMC8720047 DOI: 10.1016/j.cresp.2021.100031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Revised: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Climate change attributable to human activities has created a global threat to humanity and the natural world. However, there is a tendency for people to view climate change as a threat primarily affecting those in far-away places and there is reluctance to engage in pro-environmental action, which is often costly. It is therefore crucial to understand the factors that shape willingness to engage in pro-environmental behavior. Existing research suggests that personal experience with the consequences of climate change may increase pro-environmental action, however it is unknown whether personal experiences in other non-environmental domains may have similar effects. The circumstances of the Covid-19 pandemic allowed us to conduct a quasi-natural experiment to examine the effects of personal experience with a different global threat, namely Covid-19, on environmental responses. Across two studies conducted among UK and US participants, we found that personal experience of Covid-19 was associated with pro-environmental behavioral intentions, and that this relationship was mediated by increased environmental concern. We found that personal experience with Covid-19 was associated with stronger self-transcendence values of universalism and benevolence, which played a further mediating role between personal experience with the virus and environmental concern. These findings suggest that personal experience with at least some global threats, even when not directly related to climate change, may increase concern for distant others and also sensitize people to environmental issues and motivate pro-environmental action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deborah Shulman
- Reichman University, Herzliya, Israel
- Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, German
- The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Eran Halperin
- The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
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18
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Harel I, Kogut T. The Effect of the Number and Identification of Recipients on Organ-Donation Decisions. Front Psychol 2021; 12:794422. [PMID: 34975694 PMCID: PMC8716457 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.794422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
We examined how presentations of organ donation cases in the media may affect people’s decisions about organ donation issues. Specifically, we focused on the combined effect of the information about the number of recipients saved by the organs of one deceased person (one vs. four) and the identifiability of the donor and the recipient(s) in organ donation descriptions, on people’s willingness to donate the organs of a deceased relative. Results suggest that reading about more people who were saved by the organs of a deceased donor does not increase willingness to donate. Replicating earlier research, we found that reading about a case of organ donation involving an identified deceased donor, deceased willingness to donate. However, this effect was attenuated when participants read about more recipients who were saved by the donation. Importantly, the presentation that prompted the greatest willingness to donate a deceased relative’s organs was the one that featured an unidentified donor and only one identified recipient. Finally, an explorative investigation into participants’ subconscious thoughts of death following the organ donation story revealed that identifying a deceased organ donor prompts more thoughts of death in the perceiver (regardless of the number of recipients).
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Jacobsen A, Beehr TA. Employees' Death Awareness and Organizational Citizenship Behavior: A Moderated Mediation Model. JOURNAL OF BUSINESS AND PSYCHOLOGY 2021; 37:775-795. [PMID: 34876780 PMCID: PMC8639849 DOI: 10.1007/s10869-021-09772-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/11/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The purpose of this study is to develop and test a theoretical model that distinguishes how death anxiety and death reflection influence organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) directed towards the organization (OCB-O) and individuals within it (OCB-I). We draw from terror management and posttraumatic growth (PTG) theories to argue for prosocial motivation as a mediator for these relationships. We also examine organizational identification (OI) as a potential moderator. Data were collected from 241 employees every month for 3 months. Our findings support the mediating role of prosocial motivation. Death anxiety was negatively related to prosocial motivation, whereas death reflection was positively related to prosocial motivation. In turn, prosocial motivation was positively related to OCB-I and OCB-O. Regarding moderation, lower levels of OI strengthened the indirect effects of death anxiety on OCB-I and OCB-O through prosocial motivation. However, OI did not moderate the indirect effects of death reflection on OCB-I or OCB-O. These results highlight the conceptual differences between death anxiety and death reflection. In addition, these results emphasize the need to explore death anxiety and death reflection in organizational research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Jacobsen
- Department of Management, Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, MI USA
| | - Terry A. Beehr
- Department of Psychology, Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, MI USA
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Beyond doubt in a dangerous world: The effect of existential threats on the certitude of societal discourse. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jesp.2021.104221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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21
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Kwon S, Park A. Understanding user responses to the COVID-19 pandemic on Twitter from a terror management theory perspective: Cultural differences among the US, UK and India. COMPUTERS IN HUMAN BEHAVIOR 2021; 128:107087. [PMID: 34744298 PMCID: PMC8558263 DOI: 10.1016/j.chb.2021.107087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2021] [Revised: 10/23/2021] [Accepted: 10/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
This study uses a new approach to understand people's varied responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. Heightened media coverage and surging death tolls undoubtedly increase individuals' death-related thoughts. Thus, this study draws on terror management theory to analyze the general public's reactions during which mortality is salient. Twitter data were collected from three countries—the US, the UK, and India. Topic modeling analysis using Latent Dirichlet Allocation identified a total of seven themes reflecting two types of defenses: proximal defenses and distal defenses. Proximal defenses included calls for behavioral changes in response to COVID-19. Distal defenses included searching for meaning, political polarization and government incompetence, racial division, and sharing up-to-date information. During a prolonged crisis, anxiety-buffering systems can be undermined and lead to either maladaptive defenses (i.e., psychological distress) or new forms of defenses (i.e., adjusting to the new normal). The analysis highlights cultural differences in defenses across the three countries. Theoretical and practical implications for public health practitioners and social media platform managers are then discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soyeon Kwon
- Division of Digital Business, College of Global Business, Korea University, 2511 Sejong-ro., Sejong, 30019, South Korea
| | - Albert Park
- Department of Software and Information Systems, College of Computing and Informatics, UNC Charlotte, Woodward 310H, 9201 University City Blvd, Charlotte, NC, 28223, USA
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22
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Grimalda G, Buchan NR, Ozturk OD, Pinate AC, Urso G, Brewer MB. Exposure to COVID-19 is associated with increased altruism, particularly at the local level. Sci Rep 2021; 11:18950. [PMID: 34556687 PMCID: PMC8460816 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-97234-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Theory posits that situations of existential threat will enhance prosociality in general and particularly toward others perceived as belonging to the same group as the individual (parochial altruism). Yet, the global character of the COVID-19 pandemic may blur boundaries between ingroups and outgroups and engage altruism at a broader level. In an online experiment, participants from the U.S. and Italy chose whether to allocate a monetary bonus to a charity active in COVID-19 relief efforts at the local, national, or international level. The purpose was to address two important questions about charitable giving in this context: first, what influences the propensity to give, and second, how is charitable giving distributed across different levels of collective welfare? We found that personal exposure to COVID-19 increased donations relative to those not exposed, even as levels of environmental exposure (numbers of cases locally) had no effect. With respect to targets of giving, we found that donors predominantly benefitted the local level; donations toward country and world levels were half as large. Social identity was found to influence charity choice in both countries, although an experimental manipulation of identity salience did not have any direct effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianluca Grimalda
- Kiel Institute for the World Economy, Kiellinie 66, 24105, Kiel, Germany.
| | - Nancy R Buchan
- Sonoco Department of International Business, University of South Carolina, 1014 College Street, Columbia, SC, 29205, USA
| | - Orgul D Ozturk
- Department of Economics, University of South Carolina, 1014 College Street, Columbia, SC, 29205, USA
| | - Adriana C Pinate
- Social Sciences, Gran Sasso Science Institute (GSSI), 67100, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Giulia Urso
- Social Sciences, Gran Sasso Science Institute (GSSI), 67100, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Marilynn B Brewer
- Department of Psychology, Ohio State University, 1835 Neil Avenue, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
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23
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Kheibari A, Cerel J. Does self-esteem inflation mitigate mortality salience effects on suicide attitudes? Suicide Life Threat Behav 2021; 51:775-784. [PMID: 33904615 DOI: 10.1111/sltb.12759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2020] [Revised: 02/03/2021] [Accepted: 02/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Suicide stigma is a major barrier to prevention and intervention efforts. Using terror management theory as the guiding framework, the present study examined whether enhancing self-esteem would buffer against suicide stigma and lead to prosocial attitudes and behavior. METHODS Experimental methods were utilized in the present study. After being primed with death-related thoughts, participants were randomly assigned to one of two conditions: (1) positive feedback (experimental group) and (2) no feedback (control group). The dependent variables included (1) evaluations of a suicide decedent, (2) intentions to intervene against suicide, and (3) charitable donation behavior toward a suicide prevention organization. RESULTS The most consistent findings for the self-esteem boost hypothesis were for the interaction effects of death anxiety and self-esteem boost for the donation allocation task and intentions to intervene against suicide. For participants who were reminded of death, the self-esteem boost intervention mitigated the negative impact of death anxiety on donation behavior (i.e., an average difference of $16.37). Positive feedback for participants with reported low self-esteem also led to increased willingness to intervene against suicide. CONCLUSION These findings provide some promising potential for the self-esteem enhancement intervention to attenuate defensive reactions to suicide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Athena Kheibari
- School of Social Work, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Julie Cerel
- College of Social Work, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
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24
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Self-esteem and immortality: Evidence regarding the terror management hypothesis that high self-esteem is associated with a stronger sense of symbolic immortality. PERSONALITY AND INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.paid.2021.110712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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25
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Chang B, Cheng J, Fang J, Dang J. The Indirect Effect of Death Anxiety on Experienced Meaning in Life via Search for Meaning and Prosocial Behavior. Front Psychol 2021; 12:673460. [PMID: 34122268 PMCID: PMC8194697 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.673460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
This study investigated the relationship between death anxiety and experienced meaning in life. Six hundred and forty-eight Chinese college students were surveyed using the Death Anxiety Scale, the Prosocial Behavior Scale, and the Meaning in Life Scale. The results showed that death anxiety predicted experienced meaning through three pathways: the first one was through search for meaning singly; the second one was through prosocial behavior singly; and the third one was through search for meaning and prosocial behavior serially, which accounted for the highest proportion of the total effect. This study highlights the positive side of death anxiety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baorui Chang
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Education, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin, China
| | - Jiaxin Cheng
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Education, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin, China
| | - Jiandong Fang
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Education, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin, China
| | - Junhua Dang
- Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
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26
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Greater death anxiety, greater dishonesty for self-benefit: The moderating role of social dominance orientation. MOTIVATION AND EMOTION 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s11031-021-09877-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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27
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Van Tongeren DR, Showalter Van Tongeren SA. Finding Meaning Amidst COVID-19: An Existential Positive Psychology Model of Suffering. Front Psychol 2021; 12:641747. [PMID: 33776866 PMCID: PMC7987806 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.641747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The global COVID-19 pandemic has created a crisis of suffering. We conceptualize suffering as a deeply existential issue that fundamentally changes people indelible ways and for which there are no easy solutions. To better understand its effects and how people can flourish in the midst of this crisis, we formally introduce and elaborate on an Existential Positive Psychology Model of Suffering (EPPMS) and apply that to the COVID-19 global pandemic. Our model has three core propositions: (a) suffering reveals existential concerns, (b) existential anxiety impairs one's ability to find meaning, and (c) cultivating meaning is the primary way to address suffering and allay existential anxiety, eventually leading to flourishing (and potentially growth). We apply this model to the COVID-19 pandemic, including how to build meaning, and discuss clinical implications.
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28
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Dimoff JD, Dao AN, Mitchell J, Olson A. Live free and die: Expanding the terror management health model for pandemics to account for psychological reactance. SOCIAL AND PERSONALITY PSYCHOLOGY COMPASS 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/spc3.12585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- John D. Dimoff
- Graduate Psychology Chatham University Pittsburgh Pennsylvania USA
| | - Angela N. Dao
- Graduate Psychology Chatham University Pittsburgh Pennsylvania USA
| | - Jodie Mitchell
- Graduate Psychology Chatham University Pittsburgh Pennsylvania USA
| | - Alexandra Olson
- Graduate Psychology Chatham University Pittsburgh Pennsylvania USA
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29
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Reynolds-Tylus T, Harvell-Bowman LA, Sarlo ME. The Impact of Mortality Salience on Organ Donation Attitude, Beliefs, and Behavior. JOURNAL OF HEALTH COMMUNICATION 2021; 26:76-82. [PMID: 33657983 DOI: 10.1080/10810730.2021.1891484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The current study examines the relationship between mortality salience and attitude, beliefs, and behavior toward organ donor registration. Participants (N = 484) completed a laboratory study in a 2 (mortality salience vs. control) x 2 (processing: distal vs. proximal) between-subjects factorial design. Dependent variables included death thought accessibility, attitude, information seeking, and organ donation beliefs (bodily integrity, ick, jinx, and medical mistrust). Differences between conditions were examined with independent samples t-tests and χ2 analyses. Participants in the mortality salience condition reported greater death thought accessibility than those in the control; however, no difference in attitude nor information seeking (non-donors only) was found between the two conditions. No difference in attitude nor information seeking (non-donors only) was observed between participants engaging in distal versus proximal defensive processing. Participants in the mortality salience condition reported higher medical mistrust and bodily integrity than those in the control condition; no difference between ick or jinx was found between the two conditions. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lindsey A Harvell-Bowman
- School of Communication Studies, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA, USA
- Department of Psychology, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA, USA
| | - Madison E Sarlo
- Department of Psychology, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA, USA
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30
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Bellucci G. Positive attitudes and negative expectations in lonely individuals. Sci Rep 2020; 10:18595. [PMID: 33122843 PMCID: PMC7596507 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-75712-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2020] [Accepted: 10/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Loneliness is a central predictor of depression and major factor of all-cause mortality. Loneliness is supposed to be a warning signal prompting individuals to seek out social connections. However, lonely individuals seem to be less likely to engage in prosocial activities and are overall more socially withdrawn. Hence, it is yet unclear whether and how loneliness affects an individual's social motivations. Prosocial attitudes and expectations about social interactions of lonely individuals might shed light on whether lonely individuals are more prone to connect or withdraw from social activities. Here, results from a large dataset (~ 15,500 individuals) provide evidence for both. In particular, lonely individuals indicate stronger altruistic attitudes, suggesting a positive tendency to build and maintain social bonds. However, they also report more negative expectations about others, as they believe their social partners be less fair and trustworthy, suggesting less favorable evaluations of social interactions. By highlighting an important link between loneliness, prosocial attitudes and social expectations, this work stresses the role of loneliness in social motivations, points to potential consequences for social behaviors, and proposes a mechanism for the paradoxical effects of loneliness on an individual's social attitudes and expectations, with important implications for future basic and clinical research, as well as education, economics and public policy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriele Bellucci
- Department of Computational Neuroscience, Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics, 72076, Tübingen, Germany.
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31
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Ulqinaku A, Sarial‐Abi G, Kinsella EL. Benefits of heroes to coping with mortality threats by providing perceptions of personal power and reducing unhealthy compensatory consumption. PSYCHOLOGY & MARKETING 2020; 37:1433-1445. [PMID: 32836727 PMCID: PMC7405095 DOI: 10.1002/mar.21391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Mortality threats are among the strongest psychological threats that an individual can encounter. Previous research shows that mortality threats lead people to engage in unhealthy compensatory consumption (i.e., overeating), as a maladaptive coping response to threat. In this paper, we propose that reminders of heroes when experiencing mortality threat increases perceptions of personal power, which in turn buffers the need to engage in unhealthy compensatory consumption. We test and find support for our predictions in a series of four studies that include real-world Twitter data after a series of terrorist attacks in 2016-2017, and three experimental studies conducted online and in the field with behavioral measures after Day of the Dead and during COVID-19 pandemic. These findings advance the literature on compensatory consumption, mortality threats, and the psychological functions of heroes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aulona Ulqinaku
- Marketing DepartmentLeeds University Business School, University of LeedsLeedsUK
| | - Gülen Sarial‐Abi
- Marketing DepartmentCopenhagen Business SchoolFrederiksbergDenmark
| | - Elaine L. Kinsella
- Department of Psychology, Centre for Social Issues ResearchUniversity of LimerickLimerickIreland
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32
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Wang X. From a terror management perspective: The efficacy of self-affirmation on organ donation-related thoughts and intentions in China. The Journal of Social Psychology 2020; 160:644-657. [PMID: 32050858 DOI: 10.1080/00224545.2020.1726858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
In 2015, the Chinese government officially abolished the practice of harvesting organs from executed prisoners. However, the voluntary donor registration rate among the Chinese population is approximately 2% as of January 2020. Guided by self-affirmation theory and terror management theory, the present investigation examined a number of variables that may be related to donor registration intentions and a method to mitigate death thoughts and misconceptions. An online experiment was conducted in which 352 Chinese participants were randomly assigned to either a self-affirmation (i.e., affirming values that are important to the participants) or a no-affirmation condition. Results revealed that self-affirmation lowered death thoughts among the participants, which in turn were positively related to organ donation misperceptions. Inconsistent with terror management theory, the level of death thoughts was not directly related to participants' intentions to register as organ donors. Instead, the relationship between the two was mediated by misperceptions toward organ donation.
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33
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Self-esteem and cultural worldview buffer mortality salience effects on responses to self-face: Distinct neural mediators. Biol Psychol 2020; 155:107944. [PMID: 32810564 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2020.107944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2020] [Revised: 07/23/2020] [Accepted: 08/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Terror management theory proposes cultural worldview and self-esteem as two buffers against death anxiety. The neural mediators of these buffering effects, however, have not been fully understood. The present work investigated neural mediation mechanisms between self-esteem/cultural trait (self-construal) and mortality salience (MS) effects on self-face processing. We found that MS (vs. NA) priming eliminated self-face advantage in behavioral judgments of face-orientation in low self-esteem individuals and reduced self-face advantage in behavioral judgments of facial-familiarity in individuals with high interdependent self-construals. Our functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) results showed that, following MS priming, insular activities mediated the relationship between self-esteem and self-face advantage in face-orientation judgments, whereas dorsal medial prefrontal activity mediated the relationship between interdependent self-construal and self-face advantage in face-familiarity judgments. Our findings suggest that distinct neural mechanisms are engaged in mediating the relationships between self-esteem/cultural trait and MS effects on the emotional and cognitive processes of self-relevant information.
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34
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Fa H, Kugihara N. How collective and personal mortality salience impacts antagonism against worldview-threatening others. DEATH STUDIES 2020; 46:1276-1281. [PMID: 32713263 DOI: 10.1080/07481187.2020.1796842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
We conducted a study in Japan using terror management theory (N = 115) to examine these predictions: first, personal morality salience (MS) would increase antagonism against worldview-threatening others; second, priming to reinforce collective identity would be more effective to strengthen participants' sense of security and thus lower antagonism toward an in-group critic under personal MS than collective MS. The results revealed a significant interaction between MS types and identity priming. Participants were most tolerant toward worldview-threatening others upon awareness of a crisis threatening the group providing them collective identity. These findings provide insight into understanding individual behaviors during social unrest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Fa
- Graduate School of Human Sciences, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Naoki Kugihara
- Nutrition Department, Higashi Chikushi Junior College, Fukuoka, Japan
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35
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Song W, Jin X, Gao J, Zhao T. Will Buying Follow Others Ease Their Threat of Death? An Analysis of Consumer Data during the Period of COVID-19 in China. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17093215. [PMID: 32384598 PMCID: PMC7246543 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17093215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2020] [Revised: 04/26/2020] [Accepted: 05/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
How to overcome informational conformity consumer behavior when faced with threats of death is a social problem in response to COVID-19. This research is based on the terror management theory, the need to belong theory and the materialism theory. It uses a theoretical model to determine the relationships between threats of death and informational conformity consumer behavior. From 1453 samples collected during outbreak of COVID-19 in China, we used a structural equation model to test multiple research hypotheses. The result shows that threats of death are positively associated with a need to belong, materialism and informational conformity consumer behavior. The need to belong and materialism can play a mediating role between threats of death and information conformity consumption behavior, and perceived social support can play a moderating role between threats of death and information conformity consumption behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Song
- Business School, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China; (W.S.); (X.J.)
| | - Xiaotong Jin
- Business School, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China; (W.S.); (X.J.)
| | - Jian Gao
- School of Business and Administration, Zhejiang University of Finance and Economics, Hangzhou 310018, China
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +86-1808-866-5523
| | - Taiyang Zhao
- School of Philosophy and Sociology, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China;
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36
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Mayr U, Freund AM. Do We Become More Prosocial as We Age, and if So, Why? CURRENT DIRECTIONS IN PSYCHOLOGICAL SCIENCE 2020. [DOI: 10.1177/0963721420910811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Older adults contribute—through charitable donations or volunteering—more to the common good than younger adults, an age difference that has profound society-level implications. Yet the reasons for this difference are not well understood. Evidence suggests that a purely altruistic concern for the common good is a major motivation for prosocial behavior and that this concern increases across adulthood. We argue that this finding, and prosocial behavior in general, is better understood using a value-based decision framework than through traditional dual-process accounts. Following the value-based decision approach, we derive specific hypotheses about life-span changes in motivation or resources as factors that explain why older adults show an increased concern for the well-being of other people.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ulrich Mayr
- Department of Psychology, University of Oregon
| | - Alexandra M. Freund
- Department of Psychology, University of Zurich
- Dynamics of Healthy Aging University Research Priority Program, University of Zurich
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37
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Arslantürk G, Baykan N, Durukan P. Mortality salience in professionals witnessing death: The effects of mortality manipulation on doctors' evaluations. DEATH STUDIES 2019; 45:781-787. [PMID: 31760875 DOI: 10.1080/07481187.2019.1692969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
This study investigates whether frequently witnessing death leads to desensitization in terms of death anxiety. A total of 163 individuals, comprising 71 doctors from branches with high death rates and 92 doctors from branches where mortality is rarely seen, participated in this study. An experiment was conducted employing a classical version of mortality salience manipulation, which is often used in terror management research, to test the study's hypothesis. The results supported the hypothesis only with regard to altruism-egoism, providing partial support for the effect of desensitization. This subject needs to be studied further.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gökhan Arslantürk
- Faculty of Letters, Department of Psychology, Selçuk University, Konya, Turkey
| | - Necmi Baykan
- Emergency Service, Nevşehir State Hospital, Nevşehir, Turkey
| | - Polat Durukan
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey
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38
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Naveh-Kedem Y, Sverdlik N. Changing prosocial values following an existential threat as a function of political orientation: Understanding the effects of armed conflicts from a terror management perspective. PERSONALITY AND INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.paid.2019.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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39
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Collective sense-making in times of crisis: Connecting terror management theory with Twitter user reactions to the Berlin terrorist attack. COMPUTERS IN HUMAN BEHAVIOR 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.chb.2019.05.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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40
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Mindfulness of Death as a Tool for Mortality Salience Induction with Reference to Terror Management Theory. RELIGIONS 2019. [DOI: 10.3390/rel10060353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
In this article, I argue that “mindfulness of death” (maraṇasati) can be a tool to induce mortality salience and can have a positive psychological impact. The mindfulness of death is described in detail in the early Buddhist texts Aṅguttara Nikāya and Visuddhimagga. The texts stress that death should be consciously connected with temporality and mindfulness. Here, I look at the mindfulness of death in relation to the mortality salience of terror management theory. “Mortality salience” is a term proposed in terror management theory that means “the state of conscious activation of the thoughts of death”. In addition, after conscious activation of the thought of death, I examine the psychological changes, such as the increase of pro-social attitudes which emphasizes ethics and morality, and the emphasis on the intrinsic value of life due to the operation of a cultural worldview and self-esteem. In this paper, I conclude that mindfulness of death can be an effective tool to induce mortality salience.
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41
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Talmor D, Hirschberger G, Seeman S, Ein-Dor T, Mikulincer M. Implicit aggression following exposure to people with physical disabilities: The costs of inhibiting self-protective processes. MOTIVATION AND EMOTION 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s11031-019-09757-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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42
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Pyszczynski T. The Role of Death in Life: Exploring the Interface Between Terror Management Theory and Evolutionary Psychology. EVOLUTIONARY PSYCHOLOGY 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-25466-7_1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022] Open
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Schindler S, Reinhard MA, Dobiosch S, Steffan-Fauseweh I, Özdemir G, Greenberg J. The attenuating effect of mortality salience on dishonest behavior. MOTIVATION AND EMOTION 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s11031-018-9734-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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Maki A, Dwyer PC, Blazek S, Snyder M, González R, Lay S. Responding to natural disasters: Examining identity and prosociality in the context of a major earthquake. BRITISH JOURNAL OF SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY 2018; 58:66-87. [DOI: 10.1111/bjso.12281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2017] [Revised: 08/27/2018] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Maki
- Institute for Energy and Environment; Vanderbilt University; Nashville Tennessee USA
| | - Patrick C. Dwyer
- Lilly Family School of Philanthropy; Indiana University; Indianapolis Indiana USA
| | | | - Mark Snyder
- Department of Psychology; University of Minnesota; Minneapolis Minnesota USA
| | - Roberto González
- Escuela de Psicología; Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile; Santiago Chile
| | - Siugmin Lay
- Centro de Medición MIDE UC; Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile; Santiago Chile
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Gerber Z, Anaki D. Self-compassion as a buffer against concrete but not abstract threat. DEATH STUDIES 2018; 43:639-646. [PMID: 30265835 DOI: 10.1080/07481187.2018.1511195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Terror management theory posits that validation of self-esteem is a major defense mechanism in keeping mortal concerns at bay. Yet, self-esteem often leads to devaluation of others. Self-compassion (SC) is an alternative, more inclusive construct than self-esteem. We explored among 125 university students whether SC serves as a defense mechanism from abstract and concrete threats responses, utilizing a dot-probe task and mortality salience priming. Although SC was not associated with avoidance of abstract threats, it was associated with avoidance of concrete threats. These findings underscore the potential role of SC in coping with trauma and in shielding from developing post-traumatic symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zach Gerber
- Department of Psychology, Bar-Ilan University , Ramat-Gan , Israel
| | - David Anaki
- Department of Psychology, Bar-Ilan University , Ramat-Gan , Israel
- The Leslie and Susan Gonda (Goldschmied) Multidisciplinary Brain Research Center, Bar-Ilan University , Ramat-Gan , Israel
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Hu S, Zheng X, Zhang N, Zhu J. The Impact of Mortality Salience on Intergenerational Altruism and the Perceived Importance of Sustainable Development Goals. Front Psychol 2018; 9:1399. [PMID: 30123176 PMCID: PMC6085722 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2018.01399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2017] [Accepted: 07/19/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), consisting of 17 specific goals such as ending poverty, reducing inequality, and combating climate change, were proposed by the UN member states in 2014 for the ongoing UN agenda until 2030. These goals articulate the growing need for the international community to build a sustainable future. To progress and build a truly sustainable future requires not only the immediate support of individuals for the current SDGs, but also their personal long-term commitment to the needs of future generations (i.e., intergenerational altruism). Reminders of death can influence attitudes, motivation, and behavior in various aspects of our lives. In the current research, we thus explored whether reminding individuals of their own death will influence their intergenerational altruism and perceived importance of the SDGs. Using a three-condition (mortality salience vs. dentist visit vs. neutral) randomized experiment, we found that mortality salience led participants to place a higher priority on the needs of future generations only when compared to the neutral condition. Further, we conducted a factor analysis that generated two SDGs factors (socially related SDGs and ecologically related SDGs). We found that mortality salience reduced participants' perceived importance of the socially related SDGs when compared to both the dentist visit and the neutral conditions, and mortality salience decreased participants' perceived importance of the ecologically related SDGs only when compared to the neutral condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saiquan Hu
- Department of Psychology, School of Social Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoying Zheng
- Department of Marketing, School of Business, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Nan Zhang
- School of Public Policy and Management, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Junming Zhu
- School of Public Policy and Management, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
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McEwan O, McDermott MR, Hefferon K. Modelling Everyday Understandings of Mortality: A Qualitative Enquiry. JOURNAL OF HUMANISTIC PSYCHOLOGY 2018. [DOI: 10.1177/0022167818787908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Oona McEwan
- University of East London, London, England, UK
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Kawakami N, Miura E, Nagai M. When You Become a Superman: Subliminal Exposure to Death-Related Stimuli Enhances Men's Physical Force. Front Psychol 2018. [PMID: 29541042 PMCID: PMC5835536 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2018.00221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Research based on terror management theory (TMT) has consistently found that reminders to individuals about their mortality engender responses aimed at shoring up faith in their cultural belief system. Previous studies have focused on the critical role that the accessibility of death-related thought plays in these effects. Moreover, it has been shown that these effects occur even when death-related stimuli are presented without awareness, suggesting the unconscious effects of mortality salience. Because one pervasive cultural ideal for men is to be strong, we hypothesized that priming death-related stimuli would lead to increasing physical force for men, but not for women. Building on self-escape mechanisms from TMT, we propose that the mechanism that turns priming of death-related stimuli into physical exertion relies on the co-activation of the self with death-related concepts. To test this hypothesis, we subjected 123 participants to a priming task that enabled us to combine the subliminal priming of death-related words with briefly presented self-related words. Accordingly, three different conditions were created: a (control) condition in which only self-related stimuli were presented, a (priming) condition in which death-related words were subliminally primed but not directly paired with self-related stimuli, and a (priming-plus-self) condition in which death-related words were subliminally primed and immediately linked to self-related stimuli. We recorded handgrip force before and after the manipulations. Results showed that male participants in the priming-plus-self condition had a higher peak force output than the priming and control conditions, while this effect was absent among female participants. These results support the hypothesis that unconscious mortality salience, which is accompanied with self-related stimuli, increases physical force for men but not for women. The gender difference may reflect the cultural belief system, in which individuals are taught that men should be strong. Thus, the unconscious mortality salience produced by exposure to the death-related stimuli motivates need to conform to this internalized cultural standard.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naoaki Kawakami
- Faculty of Human Sciences, Shimane University, Matsue, Japan
| | - Emi Miura
- Graduate School of Education, Shimane University, Matsue, Japan
| | - Masayoshi Nagai
- College of Comprehensive Psychology, Ritsumeikan University, Ibaraki, Japan
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Kerry MJ, Embretson SE. An Experimental Evaluation of Competing Age-Predictions of Future Time Perspective between Workplace and Retirement Domains. Front Psychol 2018; 8:2316. [PMID: 29375435 PMCID: PMC5767307 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2017.02316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2017] [Accepted: 12/20/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Future time perspective (FTP) is defined as "perceptions of the future as being limited or open-ended" (Lang and Carstensen, 2002; p. 125). The construct figures prominently in both workplace and retirement domains, but the age-predictions are competing: Workplace research predicts decreasing FTP age-change, in contrast, retirement scholars predict increasing FTP age-change. For the first time, these competing predictions are pitted in an experimental manipulation of subjective life expectancy (SLE). A sample of N = 207 older adults (age 45-60) working full-time (>30-h/week) were randomly assigned to SLE questions framed as either 'Live-to' or 'Die-by' to evaluate competing predictions for FTP. Results indicate general support for decreasing age-change in FTP, indicated by independent-sample t-tests showing lower FTP in the 'Die-by' framing condition. Further general-linear model analyses were conducted to test for interaction effects of retirement planning with experimental framings on FTP and intended retirement; While retirement planning buffered FTP's decrease, simple-effects also revealed that retirement planning increased intentions for sooner retirement, but lack of planning increased intentions for later retirement. Discussion centers on practical implications of our findings and consequences validity evidence in future empirical research of FTP in both workplace and retirement domains.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Susan E. Embretson
- Quantitative Psychology, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, United States
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Pelham BW, Shimizu M, Arndt J, Carvallo M, Solomon S, Greenberg J. Searching for God: Illness-Related Mortality Threats and Religious Search Volume in Google in 16 Nations. PERSONALITY AND SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY BULLETIN 2017; 44:290-303. [PMID: 29130386 DOI: 10.1177/0146167217736047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
We tested predictions about religiosity and terror management processes in 16 nations. Specifically, we examined weekly variation in Google search volume in each nation for 12 years (all weeks for which data were available). In all 16 nations, higher than usual weekly Google search volume for life-threatening illnesses (cancer, diabetes, and hypertension) predicted increases in search volume for religious content (e.g., God, Jesus, prayer) in the following week. This effect held up after controlling for (a) recent past and annual variation in religious search volume, (b) increases in search volume associated with religious holidays, and (c) variation in searches for a non-life-threatening illness ("sore throat"). Terror management threat reduction processes appear to occur across the globe. Furthermore, they may occur over much longer periods than those studied in the laboratory. Managing fears of death via religious belief regulation appears to be culturally pervasive.
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