Journal of Social Psychology最新文献

This study examines the effects of vehicle size on driver impressions and behavioral intentions. Study 1 tested whether vehicle size (large vs. small) affects perceived physical size (height, body shape) through socioeconomic status (SES). We found that large (vs. small) vehicle drivers were perceived as tall (vs. short), and this perception was mediated by the drivers' estimated SES (but not by body shape). Study 2 focused on aggressive behavioral intentions (e.g. honking) toward other drivers, examining whether the relationship between vehicle size and intention was serially mediated by estimated physical size and traits (aggression, power). Here, large (vs. small) vehicle driver were perceived as tall (heavy) and possessing high power (high aggression), which is related to less (more) aggressive behavioral intention toward the driver. Our study suggests that individuals perceive other drivers' physical sizes differently, and this perception is associated with differences in behavioral responses toward other drivers.

Both Republicans and Democrats claim that they are victimized by the out-party, yet little is understood about whether and how this competition is associated with toxic polarization. The current work aims to illuminate the psychological processes through which competition for victimhood promotes support for anti-democratic policies among partisans. To do this, we conducted a nationally representative survey (N = 2000) to examine whether partisans' levels of competitive victimhood was associated with support for anti-democratic policies. Both Republicans and Democrats evidenced high levels of competitive victimhood, which was significantly correlated with support for anti-democratic policies. This relationship was mediated by dehumanization, but not prejudice, for Democrats, whereas both dehumanization and prejudice mediated the relationship between competitive victimhood and support for anti-democratic policies for Republicans.

In a sample of White Americans, we employed a person-centered approach to identify patterns of stress-related appraisals that disentangle interracial anxiety from general social anxiety and help investigate the role of secondary appraisals in promoting positive interracial attitudes and interactions. Three latent profiles emerged: low stress, characterized by low stress-related appraisals across all contexts; high stress, characterized by heightened stress-related appraisals across all contexts; and discrepancy, which appraised the interracial interaction as less stressful than other contexts. Profiles differed in cognitive resources relevant to coping with interracial contact, performance orientation, and attitudes toward immigrants, but not interracial interaction frequency.

Two experiments examined online information sharing. Specifically, we explored a situation in which a proximate secondhand source repeated information of an obscure factual nature that was derived from an originating source with a discrepant or similar credibility level. Secondhand information did not always increase or decrease the perceived validity of information. Rather, the perceived validity of secondhand information depended on the relationship between the credibility level of the secondhand source and its originating source. We used a weighted averaging model as an overarching account of our results. We also discuss differences between information sharing and research findings in the attitude, rumor, and truth effect literatures as well as future research directions and implications for social media and online information sharing.

In three preregistered studies, we investigated whether implicit treatment expectations, using a relational implicit measure (the MT-PEP), vary between participants provided opposing information about novel medical treatments (Studies 1 and 2) or who responded based on normative beliefs toward common over-the-counter drugs (Study 3). The studies revealed large Cohen's d effect sizes of both novel and well-known treatment information within the implicit measure. The studies also provide evidence of convergent validity, with MT-PEP scores associated with explicit beliefs about medicine and over-the-counter drug familiarity. Implicit treatment expectations can be assessed and offer a novel tool for the intersection of social psychology and medicine.

This research investigated how identity fusion with environmental issues interacts with social norms to shape pro-environmental behaviors, elucidating the psychological structure underlying environmental ideological engagement. Building upon a measure of identity fusion that captures both relational and doctrinal components of Zmigrod ideology framework, we found that higher identity fusion positively predicted donations to an environmental association in a Dictator Game paradigm. Importantly, results revealed an interaction between identity fusion and norm source on donation amounts. For individuals lower in environmental identity fusion, pro-environmental norms had a greater impact when originating from a source sharing their worldview (low-fused) compared to a distant group (high-fused). However, for individuals with high fusion, norm source proximity did not significantly impact donations. By illuminating this interplay between the relational and doctrinal facets of ideological thinking, this research advances understanding of the social and psychological motivators of environmental actions. These findings highlight the importance of considering identity alignment and social dynamics in fostering ecological engagement.

Why do individuals ostracize (exclude and ignore) others despite ostracism's unpleasantness for both the person being ostracized (a target) and the person doing the ostracism (a source)? Our research addressed one reason why individuals ostracize others: removing burdensome others due to their being poor exchange partners. Specifically, we found participants ostracized a virtual ball-toss player who was burdensome due to taking an excessive amount of time to throw the ball. This ostracism occurred despite potential moderating factors (e.g. having a poor internet connection). The quick response to ostracizing a burdensome other may stem from experiencing psychological pain as an alarm. To silence the alarm, individuals appear to ostracize the burdensome other. Most research on sources focuses on this immediate response; future research might apply a stage model to investigate the source's reflexive (immediate) and then reflective (delayed) responses.

Numerous terms are frequently used to refer to poor people (i.e. "needy," "impoverished"). Despite ostensibly used to refer to the same social category, little research has investigated how different labels impact perceptions of the poor. Three studies investigated how different labels for poor people differentially predicted dehumanization of the poor and, in turn, opposition to welfare. Study 1 identified (from 20) labels that participants indicated similar familiarity and referred to the same social category but differed in valence. Studies 2 and 3 had participants indicate their dehumanizing perceptions of poor people varying in label and indicate their support for welfare programs. Results indicated that "Broke" people were dehumanized more than "In Need" people despite referring to the same social category. In turn, greater dehumanization predicted less support for welfare policies designed to benefit the poor. Discussion surrounds the importance of understanding the language surrounding discussions of the poor and welfare.

Ostracism, being ignored and excluded, thwarts the fundamental need to belong and has significant psychological and social consequences. Influenced by Kipling D. Williams's seminal work, our research on ostracism has primarily focused on its negative consequences and uncovered underlying mechanisms and moderators. First, we reviewed our findings around the three stages (i.e. reflexive, reflective, and resignation stages) outlined by Williams's temporal need-threat model. Next, we discussed potential approaches to alleviate adverse consequences of ostracism by drawing from our findings on mediating and moderating factors in four categories: need fortification, reframing ostracism experience, addressing negative outcomes, and bolstering individual resilience. Finally, we proposed future research directions regarding potential interventions to mitigate the negative outcomes of ostracism.

Workplaces offer many opportunities to engage in ostracism, yet the motives underlying workplace ostracism remain poorly understood. We draw from K. D. Williams's (1997, 2001) taxonomy of ostracism motives and contemporary theorizing in social and organizational psychology to outline the employee characteristics that bring about ostracism and the needs or goals that ostracism serves. We delineate between purposeful workplace ostracism (which is intentionally punitive or defensive) and nonpurposeful ostracism (which is unintentional but may nevertheless create harm and disrupt functioning within work groups). We conclude by discussing key ways in which stronger synergies between social psychology and the organizational sciences could advance scholars' understanding of ostracism both inside and outside the workplace.