1,720,976 research outputs found
THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE COMPASSIONATE: COMPASSION SHAPES EMOTIONAL AND PROSOCIAL REACTIONS TO THE SUFFERING OF NEGATIVELY PERCEIVED TARGETS
Full text linkHarsh reactions toward transgressors reinforce behaviors in line with laws and social norms, thus reducing collective suffering. But punitive measures do not come without a cost. Bystanders often fail to acknowledge or show concern for the pain experienced by people who have previously transgressed. In this project, we aimed at testing the role of compassion in counteracting this tendency. Studies 1a, 1b, and 1c had the preliminary aim to explore in depth the construct of dispositional compassion. First, we validated in Italian two recent multidimensional scales assessing dispositional compassion, finding substantial support for their original factor structure. Second, we employed network analysis to identify which facets of the two scales stand at the core of dispositional compassion. Third, we provided support for the convergent and discriminant validity of both scales, and examined their different correlation patterns. Studies 2, 3a, and 3b were aimed at understanding whether dispositional compassion buffers people’s tendency to react poorly to the suffering of negative targets who act transgressively. Results of Study 2 showed that, contrary to our hypothesis, highly compassionate participants experienced fewer compassionate emotions and prosocial reactions for a suffering target who previously committed an egoistic transgression, in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic. Starting from this result, Studies 3a and 3b compared different violations of moral norms (vs. positive behaviors) to explore whether this happens only when a target violates a norm related to taking care of others and protecting their collective well-being. Results partially confirmed our hypotheses: as predicted, when the target violated (vs. behaved in line with) a norm related to taking care of others, highly compassionate participants reported fewer prosocial intentions toward him, whereas this difference did not occur for participants low in dispositional compassion. Differently, highly compassionate participants reported fewer compassionate reactions for the negative (vs. positive) target, regardless of the moral norm violated. Additionally, we found that different cognitive and emotional factors mediate the effect of the target’s behavior (transgressive vs. not) on the reactions to his suffering. Studies 4 and 5 tested the effects of different short compassion trainings in increasing compassionate and prosocial reactions toward targets behaving transgressively at the interpersonal and at the collective level. Results of the studies proved the effectiveness of different compassion trainings, and especially of a compassion training based on the love for relatives and close others. In Study 5, we also showed that the trainings work regardless of participants’ levels of dispositional compassion. These findings expand current socio-psychological research on compassion by providing a novel perspective on the construct – both at the trait-like and state-like level – and showing how it shapes emotional and prosocial reactions to the suffering of negatively perceived targets.Harsh reactions toward transgressors reinforce behaviors in line with laws and social norms, thus reducing collective suffering. But punitive measures do not come without a cost. Bystanders often fail to acknowledge or show concern for the pain experienced by people who have previously transgressed. In this project, we aimed at testing the role of compassion in counteracting this tendency. Studies 1a, 1b, and 1c had the preliminary aim to explore in depth the construct of dispositional compassion. First, we validated in Italian two recent multidimensional scales assessing dispositional compassion, finding substantial support for their original factor structure. Second, we employed network analysis to identify which facets of the two scales stand at the core of dispositional compassion. Third, we provided support for the convergent and discriminant validity of both scales, and examined their different correlation patterns. Studies 2, 3a, and 3b were aimed at understanding whether dispositional compassion buffers people’s tendency to react poorly to the suffering of negative targets who act transgressively. Results of Study 2 showed that, contrary to our hypothesis, highly compassionate participants experienced fewer compassionate emotions and prosocial reactions for a suffering target who previously committed an egoistic transgression, in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic. Starting from this result, Studies 3a and 3b compared different violations of moral norms (vs. positive behaviors) to explore whether this happens only when a target violates a norm related to taking care of others and protecting their collective well-being. Results partially confirmed our hypotheses: as predicted, when the target violated (vs. behaved in line with) a norm related to taking care of others, highly compassionate participants reported fewer prosocial intentions toward him, whereas this difference did not occur for participants low in dispositional compassion. Differently, highly compassionate participants reported fewer compassionate reactions for the negative (vs. positive) target, regardless of the moral norm violated. Additionally, we found that different cognitive and emotional factors mediate the effect of the target’s behavior (transgressive vs. not) on the reactions to his suffering. Studies 4 and 5 tested the effects of different short compassion trainings in increasing compassionate and prosocial reactions toward targets behaving transgressively at the interpersonal and at the collective level. Results of the studies proved the effectiveness of different compassion trainings, and especially of a compassion training based on the love for relatives and close others. In Study 5, we also showed that the trainings work regardless of participants’ levels of dispositional compassion. These findings expand current socio-psychological research on compassion by providing a novel perspective on the construct – both at the trait-like and state-like level – and showing how it shapes emotional and prosocial reactions to the suffering of negatively perceived targets
Virtually meeting “The Intouchables”: Online contact, sense of community, and prejudice toward people with a disability
Full text linkPrejudice toward people with a disability remains an unchallenged global problem. This cross-sectional study investigated online intergroup contact involving university students without disability (N = 107), participating within a social program aimed at fostering the social inclusion of people with a disability. We tested two separate path models, where positive and negative online contact were the predictors (controlling for positive and negative offline contact), sense of community was the mediator, while social distance from, and attitudes toward people with disability, were the outcome variables. Results showed that greater positive (but not negative) online contact was associated with more positive evaluations and lower social distance toward people with a disability, via heightened sense of community
Orientamento Motivazionale degli Allenatori di Calcio Giovanile e Contrasto al Bullismo: Quali relazioni? Un’Indagine su Cinque Paesi Europei. Relazione presentata al XXIV Congresso Nazionale AIPS, Torino.
No full textBenché indagato prevalentemente negli atleti, l’orientamento motivazionale (compito vs io) è un costrutto focale anche per allenatori e allenatrici, specialmente in relazione ai suoi risvolti educativi (Duda et al., 2014). Boardley e Kavussanu (2010) hanno identificato una relazione negativa tra motivazione al compito e comportamento antisociale in giovani calciatori; tuttavia, la relazione tra l’orientamento motivazionale degli allenatori e le loro intenzioni educative è meno esplorata. Per colmare questa lacuna, abbiamo studiato la relazione tra motivazione, comportamento prosociale e antisociale nello sport e intenzione di intervenire in caso di bullismo in un campione di allenatori di calcio giovanile.
Mille e quaranta allenatori e allenatrici di calcio giovanile (NF=100; Metà=42.07 anni) provenienti da Croazia, Finlandia, Grecia, Portogallo e Svizzera hanno compilato un questionario comprendente il Task and Ego Orientation in Sports Questionnaire (Duda, 1989), un adattamento della Prosocial and Antisocial Behavior in Sport Scale (Kavussanu & Boardley, 2009) e una scala sviluppata ad hoc sulle loro intenzioni di intervenire in caso di episodi di bullismo.
Dall’ANOVA a una via emerge che gli allenatori e le allenatrici con più elevata specializzazione (Diploma UEFA A, B e PRO) sono significativamente più orientati all’io e più propensi a condonare comportamenti antisociali nei confronti di avversari e avversarie (ps<.01) rispetto a colleghi e colleghe con una formazione di taglio più educativo (es: corsi nazionali di 1° e 2° livello). Dall’analisi di mediazione emergono effetti indiretti positivi dall’orientamento al compito all’intenzione di intervenire in caso di bullismo, mediati dall’indesiderabilità attribuita ai comportamenti antisociali verso compagni di squadra e avversari (-.11 <-.12, p<.001). L’orientamento all’io è invece associato negativamente all’intenzione di intervenire, sia direttamente (B=-.06, SE=.03, p<.01), sia indirettamente attraverso maggiore desiderabilità attribuita a comportamenti antisociali e minore desiderabilità attribuita a comportamenti prosociali.
Lo studio si allinea con la precedente letteratura che individua nell’orientamento motivazionale un costrutto-chiave per quanto concerne il comportamento prosociale e antisociale in contesti sport-specifici (e.g., Kavussanu, 2005), ed estende tali evidenze ad allenatori e allenatrici in relazione al fenomeno del bullismo. I risultati indicano che allenatori orientati prevalentemente all’io possono perdere di vista gli aspetti educativi della professione, ritenendo meno prioritario agire in caso di bullismo. Da un punto di vista applicativo, ciò rimarca l’importanza di offrire loro training psicoeducativi che li supportino nell’allenare al successo sportivo nella tutela del benessere socio-affettivo dei propri atleti, specialmente i più giovani
A Mindful Path Toward Prejudice Reduction: Key Mindfulness Facets and Mediators for Promoting Positive Intergroup Relations
Full text linkObjectives. Mindfulness might promote an open, accepting, less stereotypical view of people belonging to other social groups. We hypothesized positive cross-sectional (H1) and longitudinal (H2) associations between dispositional mindfulness - especially the Observing facet - and positive intergroup outcomes (i.e., better intergroup attitudes and contact experiences, lower intergroup prejudice, higher deprovincialization), and that those associations would be mediated by dispositional curiosity and reflection (H3). Method. We tested H1 in Study 1 (two waves, 1-month interval, n = 102) and Study 2 (cross-sectional, n = 679), with linear models in which attitudes and prejudice toward immigrants, contact with immigrants (only in Study 2), and deprovincialization were predicted by mindfulness facets. We tested H2 in Study 1, with cross-lagged path models replicating the cross-sectional analyses, and H3 in Study 2, with structural equation models in which Reflection, Joyous Exploration, Stress Tolerance, and Social Curiosity mediated the relationships between facets of dispositional mindfulness and intergroup outcomes. Results. Results largely supported hypotheses. Consistent with H1, in Studies 1 and 2, Observing was associated with all intergroup outcomes; in Study 2, Describing was associated with higher deprovincialization, better attitudes, and lower prejudice, and Nonjudging with higher deprovincialization and positive contact. As for H2, we found a unidirectional association from Observing to attitudes. Concerning H3, we found mediating paths between some mindfulness facets and intergroup outcomes through Reflection, Joyous Exploration, Stress Tolerance, and Social Curiosity. Conclusions. Results support the possibility to build prejudice reduction interventions grounded on mindfulness, to increase awareness of negative stereotypes and openness to differences among people. Preregistration. The study was not preregistered
Inglorious sufferers: Motivational factors and moral foundations shape compassionate and helping reactions toward suffering norm transgressors
Full text linkWhile previous research shows that people's reactions to others' suffering can vary, it remains unclear how these responses differ for targets who have previously transgressed, and which factors drive these changes. In two studies (total N = 899), this paper experimentally investigates how compassionate and helping reactions toward a suffering transgressor change depending upon: (a) the target’s motivation (altruistic vs egoistic vs control) for the transgression (Study 1); (b) the nature of the transgression in terms of moral foundation (Care vs Fairness) of the disrespected (vs respected) norm (Study 2). Study 1 supported the role of motivational factors: transgressing for altruistic purposes increased compassionate emotions toward the suffering target, compared to when the target’s motivation was egoistic or when no explanation for the target’s actions was provided. Study 2 showed that the Fairness (vs Care) norm, generated more extreme reactions: more negative when a target person violated the norm, more positive when they behaved in line with the norm. Additionally, in both studies, we also found evidence of a moderating effect of dispositional compassion, while analyses performed in a subsample of Study 2 including additional measures also shed light on the mediating cognitive and affective mechanisms of the effect of the kind of norm transgressed on compassionate and helping reactions. Overall, this paper delves into the intricate dynamic underlying individuals’ responses to the suffering of negatively behaving others, providing insights on how and why people react differently to norm violations
Testing positive and negative extended contact in a non-weird context: Improving willingness for contact toward sexual minorities in China
No full textIl progetto “Quasi amici 2.0”: contatto positivo online, senso di comunità, e pregiudizio verso le persone con disabilità
No full textPositive and negative extended contact and contact intentions towards sexual minorities in China: The mediational role of perceived group norms, intergroup anxiety and intergroup trust
No full textThe present study (N = 1,019, 51% females) explores the role of positive and negative extended contact as predictors of willingness for future cross-group interactions in the context of the relationship between heterosexuals and sexual minorities in China. Results revealed that positive extended contact was more prevalent and more strongly associated with contact intentions than negative extended contact. Central to our hypotheses, both positive and negative extended contact were indirectly associated with higher or lower contact intentions, respectively, via the sequential mediation of perceived group norms, and intergroup anxiety and trust. These findings deepen our understanding of how to foster the willingness to engage in contact with members of sexual minorities
Building bridges with awe: Exploring underlying mechanisms and moderators of the relationship between awe and prejudice towards sexual minority group members
Full text linkAwe is a self-transcendent emotion generating a range of benefits at the individual and at the societal level. Yet, research within the domain of intergroup relations is scarce. Across three studies—two experimental and one cross-sectional (total N = 2113)—we explored whether, how and for whom awe is negatively related to prejudice towards sexual minority group members (LGBT individuals) among sexual majority group members (heterosexual people). We found that participants assigned to a nature-induced awe (vs. control, Study 1; vs. control vs. amusement, Study 2) condition reported lower prejudice towards LGBT people. Moreover, Study 2 shed light on the underlying mechanisms through which nature-induced awe leads to lower prejudice, demonstrating the parallel mediating role of self-transcendence and belief in oneness, two constructs related to the promotion of broader group identities, by changing perceptions of the self and the world, respectively. Study 3 revealed that dispositional awe exerted a stronger negative effect on prejudice among heterosexual individuals with less frequent intergroup interactions with LGBT group members. The present investigation provides important insights into the complexity of the relationship between awe and prejudice, revealing that awe could be a powerful tool to reduce prejudice
From who we are to what we are willing to do for social change: The action‐bound role of efficacy perceptions
Full text linkTwo cross‐sectional studies conducted in Chile (Study 1, N = 587) and Italy (Study 2, N = 438) investigated the action‐bound role of perceived efficacy in explaining the association between politicized (Studies 1 and 2) and non‐politicized identity (Study 2) with normative and non‐normative collective action (CA) intentions. We comparatively explored different efficacy perceptions: internal locus of control (i.e., individual agency), group efficacy (i.e., ingroup agency), normative and non‐normative collective action efficacy (i.e., action efficacy). Both identity types were positively associated with normative CA intentions via increased perceptions of group and normative CA efficacy (Studies 1–2). Regarding non‐normative CA intentions, beyond observing positive associations with politicized identity via increased group (Study 1) and non‐normative CA efficacy (Study 1–2), we also found a negative indirect effect of politicized identity via increased normative CA efficacy (Study 1) and a negative indirect effect of non‐politicized identity via decreased non‐normative CA efficacy (Study 2). These findings highlight the key role of efficacy perceptions in translating identity into action, emphasizing both group agency and the perceived efficacy of specific forms of action. Moreover, they suggest that the type of social identity can promote or inhibit more radical forms of CA, shaping pathways to social change
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