Since the use of social media networks has strongly increased, people have the opportunity to easily discuss their opinions (Kim et al., 2013). Discussions on moral issues, such as abortion and...Show moreSince the use of social media networks has strongly increased, people have the opportunity to easily discuss their opinions (Kim et al., 2013). Discussions on moral issues, such as abortion and meat consumption, often take place online. In the current research (N = 310), the effect of moral emotional framing on attitude polarization was examined. It was predicted that moral emotional frames would lead to more attitude polarization compared to nonmoral frames and that this effect was mediated by moralization of the issue. Additionally, it was investigated whether a higher moral identity centrality would lead to a stronger effect of moral emotional frames on moralization. The results only partly supported these expectations. The results showed that the higher someone’s moral identity centrality, the stronger that person tends to moralize issues. Also, moralization was directly and positively related to attitude polarization. This study may serve as a solid basis for future research.Show less
Research master thesis | Psychology (research) (MSc)
open access
In public areas, people often encounter situations of close proximity to others where it is likely that an individual’s personal space (PS) gets intruded. PS is the area surrounding an individual...Show moreIn public areas, people often encounter situations of close proximity to others where it is likely that an individual’s personal space (PS) gets intruded. PS is the area surrounding an individual that includes the intimate and personal domain (within 1.50 meters of a person). We aimed to investigate the role of PS in seating behavior and to extend previous research by distinguishing an immediate PS consideration (i.e., considering PS in the immediate situation) from an anticipated PS consideration (i.e., considering PS also in a possible future situation). We conducted an observational study (N = 237), an open-ended question study (N = 40), and an experimental online study using a mixed-design (N = 325) in the context of choosing a seat in a railway station concourse. The results revealed that most participants chose a seat outside their intimate and personal domain. We concluded that people try to safeguard their PS. Furthermore, immediate and anticipated PS considerations both play a role in seating behavior; however, both are merely facets of PS rather than two exclusive concepts. With our results, we hope to extend the theory of PS as well as inform and possibly influence the design of seating arrangements to optimize people’s well-being in public areas.Show less
While fewer people endorse blatant sexism, sexism is still an ongoing problem. Several measures have been taken to create awareness, but the question arises whether the confirming messages, for...Show moreWhile fewer people endorse blatant sexism, sexism is still an ongoing problem. Several measures have been taken to create awareness, but the question arises whether the confirming messages, for example, from the media or studies might give cues to women that they are being excluded. This research hypothesizes that if women pick up cues from confirming messages, it leads to more feelings of social exclusion compared to a context in which sexism is denied or is not mentioned. This research examines the effects of the confirmation of sexism on social exclusion, need-threats, feelings, motivation to apply, and expectations of their chances on the labor market. In this between-subjects study (confirmation of sexism vs. modern sexism vs. control condition), 157 female students from Leiden University completed a questionnaire. This study showed that women in the confirmation of sexism condition reported more feelings of social exclusion, more need-threats, more negative feelings, lower motivation to apply for a job, and lower expectations of their chances on the labor market compared to the other conditions. These results support the hypothesis that confirming sexism is more harmful than a context of modern sexism or not mentioning sexism, but more research is needed to provide general support for this hypothesis.Show less
In modern society, there is an increased attention for the acknowledgement of sexism. This comes almost as a counter movement against modern sexism, a form in which sexism is denied. The goal of...Show moreIn modern society, there is an increased attention for the acknowledgement of sexism. This comes almost as a counter movement against modern sexism, a form in which sexism is denied. The goal of this study was to investigate potential negative effects of exposure to acknowledgement of sexism, such as feelings of exclusion and low motivation to apply for a job. 161 female participants from a Dutch university, divided over three conditions, filled in a survey in order to measure exclusion and motivation to apply. The three conditions were the acknowledgement of sexism, modern sexism and a control condition. We found significant results for our hypotheses. The acknowledgement of sexism leads to feelings of exclusion, low need fulfilment, negative feelings, low expectancy to get a job and low motivation to apply for one. This shows that exposure to the acknowledgement sexism in, for example, the media can have negative effects. This thesis also provides several suggestions on how messages concerning the acknowledgment of sexism can be communicated, including future research suggestions.Show less
