Research master thesis | Psychology (research) (MSc)
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Given the practical importance of interpersonal trust in negotiations, scholars have increasingly given attention to the mechanism underlying the effect of trust and possible strategies, such as...Show moreGiven the practical importance of interpersonal trust in negotiations, scholars have increasingly given attention to the mechanism underlying the effect of trust and possible strategies, such as mediation, to handle low trust negotiations. However, research with direct mediator interventions in experimental settings has been rare. We sought to validate previous survey research on the effects of trust and a third-party mediator on negotiation outcomes, negotiator mindset, and perceptions of the negotiation. In our study we looked at the effects of a low trust or a high trust condition on dyadic level, as well as looking at the effect of the presence or absence of a mediator on how dyads negotiated. 38 participants, primarily female students from Leiden University, negotiated in a role-play scenario in a dispute as either a bar owner or a customer. Primary analyses showed no effects for trust on negotiation outcomes, mindset, or satisfaction. Due to severe limitations mediation was not analyzed. Exploratory findings showed that trust increased cooperative efforts and improved relationships, and that secondary agreements, agreements not on prices, were of importance in the negotiations. This study nuances the previously found effects of trust on negotiations and asks for more understanding of the underlying mechanisms and effects of trust.Show less
It is not fully understood how effortful control is influenced by environmental factors. Effortful control is an important underpinning of self-regulation and plays influences developmental...Show moreIt is not fully understood how effortful control is influenced by environmental factors. Effortful control is an important underpinning of self-regulation and plays influences developmental outcomes such as conscious development and externalizing behavior. We investigated if internalized conduct mediated the relation between parental sensitivity and effortful control in children aged 5-8. To do so, questionnaires were used to measure internalized conduct and effortful control and a parent-child drawing task was used to measure sensitive parenting. In the questionnaire for effortful, questions about the levels of effortful control of the child were answered by the primary parent. In the questionnaire for internalized conduct, questions about the levels of internalized conduct of the child were answered by the other parent. The drawing task for parental sensitivity was done by the child and the primary parent. Significant effects were found in parental sensitivity as a predictor of both internalized conduct and effortful control. In addition a significant effect was found in internalized conduct as a predictor of effortful control. However, internalized conduct was not found to be a mediator in the relation between parental sensitivity and effortful control in this study.Show less
Background: With the recent emergence of online dating as a way of initiating and establishing romantic relationships, online dating has become an important strategy for couples to meet. However,...Show moreBackground: With the recent emergence of online dating as a way of initiating and establishing romantic relationships, online dating has become an important strategy for couples to meet. However, no previous studies have thoroughly investigated the possible mediation effect of partner-perceived attractiveness between personality traits and online dating success. In this thesis, I will test whether personality traits influence partner-perceived attractiveness, and whether this assumed relationship affects online dating success. Methods: Through the use of a mediation analysis, this present study will investigate how the personality dimensions of extraversion and neuroticism are linked to attractiveness and whether a specific trait contributes to more online dating success. Results: It cannot be concluded that there is a mediating relationship between personality traits and online dating outcomes. A significant relationship was found between partner perceived attractiveness and dating success when running a linear regression, without controlling for the relationship between personality traits and online dating outcomes. Conclusion: More research needs to be done in order to differentiate between the different personality traits, and whether possessing one trait makes you a more successful online dater. Future studies can add a new dimension to the variable of partner-perceived attractiveness and look into the possible role played by self-esteem.Show less
