This master thesis investigated how social motives (prosocial vs. pro-self) and communication medium (headphones vs. no headphones) affect group negotiation outcomes. The study used a 2x2 factorial...Show moreThis master thesis investigated how social motives (prosocial vs. pro-self) and communication medium (headphones vs. no headphones) affect group negotiation outcomes. The study used a 2x2 factorial design with 41 three-person groups (N = 123), who engaged in a structured negotiation task. Hypothesis 1 predicted that prosocial groups would achieve higher joint outcomes than pro-self groups, and results of an ANOVA supported this prediction. Hypotheses 2 and 3, predicting that structured communication, using headphones to manipulate turn-taking behaviour, would improve prosocial and reduce pro-self groups negotiation outcomes, respectively, were not supported by an ANOVA. This suggests that while prosocial motives significantly improve outcomes, structured communication alone does not. Future research should explore additional communication structuring methods and broader contexts to validate these findings.Show less
Food waste presents a critical and ongoing environmental issue, with consumer behavior playing a considerable role in exacerbating it. While extensive research has been conducted, the specific...Show moreFood waste presents a critical and ongoing environmental issue, with consumer behavior playing a considerable role in exacerbating it. While extensive research has been conducted, the specific influence of the personality trait Need for Closure (NFC) on food waste behavior remains underexplored. This thesis aims to compensate for this gap by investigating the impact of a food waste reduction poster on individuals' intentions to reduce food waste and by examining the role of NFC in contributing to food waste behaviors. An online survey was conducted with 60 Dutch participants living in the Netherlands. Contrary to initial predictions, the results revealed that the poster campaign did not significantly impact food waste intentions, nor did the NFC personality trait influence this effect. These findings underscore the challenges of creating environmental messages that effectively engage diverse personality profiles. Understanding how individuals seek and use information, apply decision rules, and experience certainty in their decisions can inform more nuanced and tailored communication strategies to effectively influence consumer behavior in environmental contexts.Show less
This study investigated the effects on the victim of bystander non-intervention in the workplace. We performed a vignette study, with three different scenarios: active bystanders, passive...Show moreThis study investigated the effects on the victim of bystander non-intervention in the workplace. We performed a vignette study, with three different scenarios: active bystanders, passive bystanders, and no bystanders. We hypothesised that in the passive bystander condition the four psychological fundamental needs (belonging, meaningful existence, control, and self-esteem) would go down, sexual harassment myth acceptance would be higher, self-blame and bystander blame would be higher and blame towards the perpetrator and society would be lower. The data from the 159 participants showed that the fundamental needs of belonging and meaningful existence decreased, and that bystander blame was higher in the passive bystander condition, compared to the active bystander condition. The fundamental needs of control and self-esteem, sexual harassment myth acceptance, self-blame, perpetrator blame and society blame were not affected. Possible explanations for the results are provided, as well as the limitations of the study and recommendations for further research.Show less
This study aims to examine the effect of productivity uncertainty on cooperation in public goods dilemmas through its influence on the injunctive norm. An experiment was conducted in which 456...Show moreThis study aims to examine the effect of productivity uncertainty on cooperation in public goods dilemmas through its influence on the injunctive norm. An experiment was conducted in which 456 participants faced public goods games with and without productivity uncertainty. The results showed that people contribute less in public goods games with productivity uncertainty compared to those without. The results also showed that productivity uncertainty did not decrease the strength of the injunctive norm of cooperation but rather the height of the injunctive norm, which in turn caused the contribution to decrease. These results suggest that policymakers should realize that productivity uncertainty has an undermining impact on cooperation, as well as on what people consider an appropriate level of cooperation in public goods dilemmas.Show less
The aim of this study was to analyze how cheating behavior of a perpetrator is affected by the presence of witnesses and their perceived social identification. Based on the Routine Activity Theory ...Show moreThe aim of this study was to analyze how cheating behavior of a perpetrator is affected by the presence of witnesses and their perceived social identification. Based on the Routine Activity Theory (Cohen & Felson, 1979) and the Social Identity of Deindividuation Effects Model (Postmes et al., 1998), it was hypothesized that perpetrators would be less likely to cheat when there are witnesses present compared to not present, and when the witnesses are part of the in-group compared to the out-group. A third hypothesis postulated public self-awareness as a mediator in the relation between group membership of the witnesses and cheating behavior. The hypotheses were not supported by the data of the current study. It is theorized that the ostensible witnesses in the online experiment were perceived to be insufficiently interactive, resulting in less accountability for the perpetrator. Recommendations are provided for future research to build on these findings.Show less
This cross-sectional study involved 82 student participants and aimed to examine how perceived online behavioral control moderates the relationship between FoMO and the frequency of checking one’s...Show moreThis cross-sectional study involved 82 student participants and aimed to examine how perceived online behavioral control moderates the relationship between FoMO and the frequency of checking one’s smartphone. To examine this, we divided our participants into two subgroups, based upon their answers to our questionnaire. In the subgroup with low perceived online behavioral control, we found a pattern of results in line with our reasoning, namely that participants who experience more FoMO tend to check their smartphone more often (non-significant). However, in the subgroup with high perceived online behavioral control, we found that participants who experience more FoMO tend to check their smartphones less often (non-significant), which is against our line of reasoning. Possible explanations for this finding are discussed. Also, participants who are engaged in more group chats report more academic stress. Hence, the practical importance of awareness about strategies to regulate incoming notifications is discussed. The paper concludes with practical implications and suggestions for future research.Show less
The current study looked at the effect of the perceived misfit between the sexual orientation of entrepreneurs (homosexual vs. heterosexual) and the type of business that they own (female vs. male...Show moreThe current study looked at the effect of the perceived misfit between the sexual orientation of entrepreneurs (homosexual vs. heterosexual) and the type of business that they own (female vs. male typed-business) on their perceived competence in the context of entrepreneurship by a third party. We proposed that the perceived misfit between homosexuality and male-type occupations play a key role in shaping the biased negative evaluations of homosexual men’s abilities and skills. We conducted a vignette study (N = 198) designed as a 2 (sexual orientation: homosexual vs. heterosexual) x 2 (gender-typed business: female-typed field vs. male-typed field) cross-sectional, between-subject experiment. The participants were recruited from Prolific Academic. Results showed a non-significant difference for both hypothesis. This may suggest that the current implicit inversion theory is in need of a revision as gender stereotypes of homosexual men are changing. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.Show less
This study aims to investigate the relationship between the implicit need for autonomy and the acceptance of financial help in situations of economic scarcity. Based on previous research and self...Show moreThis study aims to investigate the relationship between the implicit need for autonomy and the acceptance of financial help in situations of economic scarcity. Based on previous research and self-determination theory, we hypothesize that individuals with higher implicit need for autonomy will be less likely to accept help when in financial debt. Our results did not deliver evidence for a significant correlation, however, lower need for autonomy was accompanied by higher tendency to accept help when in debt. Studying this could help develop and improve financial assistance programs by understanding psychological processes underlying the acceptance of help and aid. Significant results were found in an exploratory analysis, researching group differences depending on the experience participants have had with debt: individuals who have had debt in the past are significantly more reluctant to accepting help than participants who have not.Show less
The aim of the present research was to gain a more accurate and deeper understanding of the relationships among uncertainty regarding performance standards and appropriate behaviours, suppression...Show moreThe aim of the present research was to gain a more accurate and deeper understanding of the relationships among uncertainty regarding performance standards and appropriate behaviours, suppression of social identity, and job satisfaction. 121 workers in the Netherlands completed an online survey to test two hypotheses. With the first hypothesis of this research, the intention was to test if people who experience more uncertainty regarding performance standards and appropriate behaviours tend to show lower job satisfaction. This hypothesis was confirmed. The second hypothesis of this research was meant to test if the suppression of social identity was a mediator for the relationship between uncertainty regarding performance standards and appropriate behaviours and job satisfaction. This hypothesis was not confirmed but was marginally significant. Lastly, implications and future applications of this research were discussed.Show less
The volunteers dilemma is an often occurring social situation in which an individual has to choose whether to sacrifice some self-interest to benefit the group. In this study we investigate...Show moreThe volunteers dilemma is an often occurring social situation in which an individual has to choose whether to sacrifice some self-interest to benefit the group. In this study we investigate changing costs and social value orientation (SVO). Rising volunteering costs and decreasing group benefits are conditions in which the subjective value decreases fast over time in comparison to the starting position. The comparison between the starting point and the deteriorated position could be a reason to volunteer while it stops the position from worsening or even prevent it from happening. In an incentivized online experiment it was tested whether increasing volunteering costs and decreasing group benefits leads to more and faster volunteering. Furthermore the role of SVO with regard to volunteering frequency was investigated. Results indicated a faster but less frequent volunteering pattern as a result of the changing costs and furthermore showed a positive relation between SVO score and volunteering frequency. The possible explanations are discussed as well as future research and limitations.Show less
Although the bystander effect has been subject to extensive research, consequences for victims are unknown. The current study examines the psychological consequences for victims of undesired...Show moreAlthough the bystander effect has been subject to extensive research, consequences for victims are unknown. The current study examines the psychological consequences for victims of undesired behavior at work when passive bystanders are present. In our retrospective study, we assessed cognitions, fulfillment of needs, and emotions (PANAS) after participants’ previous experiences of undesired behavior at work. We expected victims who were in presence of passive bystanders to blame their selves more, and to blame the perpetrator less, comparing to victims in presence of active bystanders. Also, we expected them to experience more negative emotions, and their needs to be less fulfilled. As expected, victims who were in presence of active bystanders felt a higher need to belong, and for meaningful existence. However, other expectations were not supported. Our results support the idea that passive behavior of bystanders in a situation of undesired behavior raises a feeling of social exclusion, which suggests a parallel to ostracism.Show less
This study discusses potential motivators for sharing videos of other people's misfortune on the internet. Schadenfreude, stereotypes as part of someone's worldview, mortality salience, and...Show moreThis study discusses potential motivators for sharing videos of other people's misfortune on the internet. Schadenfreude, stereotypes as part of someone's worldview, mortality salience, and fundamental psychological needs, such as the need for esteem, need for control, need for a meaningful existence, and need to belong, were all investigated in relation to sharing such videos online. The 132 participants took part in an online study with a 2 worldview (confirming vs disconfirming) by 2 misfortune (lethal vs. non-lethal) between-subjects design. The study featured 3 different videos which were followed by a questionnaire and several demographic questions. The first three hypotheses focused on the effect of worldview on schadenfreude and the willingness to share. The three hypotheses that followed focused on the effect of mortality salience on the fundamental needs and the willingness to share. The final hypothesis incorporated the elements of the first six hypotheses. A series of MANOVAs and ANOVAs for the different videos showed only non-significant or marginally significant effects. Therefore, an exploratory analysis investigated the influence of gender and empathy on schadenfreude. The theoretical and practical implications, as well as limitations and future research, are discussed.Show less
Prejudice is an emotion-specific phenomenon that is influenced by a variety of predictors. In this paper, we looked at interoceptive sensitivity (IS) as a potential determinant of prejudice through...Show morePrejudice is an emotion-specific phenomenon that is influenced by a variety of predictors. In this paper, we looked at interoceptive sensitivity (IS) as a potential determinant of prejudice through emotional sensitivity, especially disgust. We had five hypotheses including the last one being exploratory. (1) Higher IS would lead to higher prejudice. (2) Greater IS would lead to higher disgust sensitivity (DS). (3) Greater DS would lead to higher prejudice. (4) Greater IS would lead to increased prejudice through increased DS. (5) Higher IS would lead to increased prejudice through different emotional sensitives (fear, anger, disgust). IS was measured using a heartbeat detection task and other variables were measured using questionnaires. Regression analysis was used to analyze the results. As part of the exploratory analysis, principal component analysis was used to identify potential prejudice subscales. Findings showed all the hypotheses to be insignificant. The key finding of exploratory analysis is that IS was not significantly related to any of the emotion specific prejudice measures. Main limitations were the sample size and its characteristics. In the future, complex emotions could be examined within this analysis and disgust could be manipulated to see if prejudice towards disgust eliciting groups change.Show less
In this article the effects of SVO and rising costs in different volunteer dilemmas are examined. There is a distinction made between prosocials and proselfs in three different conditions of a VOD ...Show moreIn this article the effects of SVO and rising costs in different volunteer dilemmas are examined. There is a distinction made between prosocials and proselfs in three different conditions of a VOD (normal VOD, VOD with rising costs for the volunteer and VOD with rising costs for the group). In this study there were 150 participants of which 75 males, 72 females and 3 unknown Participants had to do a SVO slider task to determine their SVO. After that, the participants were assigned to a group of five participants in one of the three conditions. In control condition, participants participated in a normal VOD in which volunteering cost £0.75. The group bonus was £8, when someone volunteers. In the condition with rising costs for volunteer, the costs of volunteering increased every 5 seconds with £0.15. In the condition with rising costs (decreasing benefits) for the group, the bonus decreased with £0.75 every 5 seconds. They had to decide whether they wanted to volunteer or not. A Binary Logistic Regression has been conducted, with one dependent variable (choice to volunteer) and two independent variables (SVO & condition). A significant effect of SVO was found: prosocials volunteered more than proselfs. Furthermore, a significant difference was found between the normal VOD and the VOD with increasing costs for the volunteer. Participant in the VOD with increasing costs for the volunteer, volunteered less than in a normal VOD. A marginally significant difference was found between the normal VOD and the VOD with increasing costs for the group, indicating that participants in the volunteer less in this condition than in the control condition.Show less
This study focused on the effect of rewards on the cooperative behaviour of individuals when they were part of a mixed group containing both democrats and republicans. There were two conditions, in...Show moreThis study focused on the effect of rewards on the cooperative behaviour of individuals when they were part of a mixed group containing both democrats and republicans. There were two conditions, in the first condition the participants were told they could receive a different amount of reward, based on their political preference. In the second condition, this differential treatment was impossible, and all group members received the same amount of reward. It was expected that participants would cooperate more in the condition where they could be favoured by the reward-giver who shared their same political preferences. The study outcomes showed the opposite effect: individuals cooperated more when rewarding implied an equal treatment for all compared to when there was a possibility of being favoured.Show less
