Smita Singh

On the importance of trust in interpersonal attraction from attitude similarity

Trust has been identified as a key factor in relationship development and appreciation of group members. However, trust has not been previously considered as a reason for attitude similarity to result in attraction. Thus, in the current research, the authors investigated trust as a key component of attraction based on attitude similarity. Trust was shown to significantly mediate attitude similarity effects on attraction when measured alone (Experiment 1) and alongside positive affect in the participants (Experiment 2A), respect for the partner (Experiment 2B), or inferred partner’s attraction to the participants (Experiment 2C). Trust was also shown to have independent effects on attraction when juxtaposed with all three of the traditional mediators of attitude similarity effects (Experiment 3). Implications of these findings for models of attraction are discussed.

Why people play massively multiplayer online games

The current study investigated whether the problematic use of massively multiplayer online games (MMO) was associated with a particular attachment style. Moreover, we explored the possible motivations underlying MMO gaming, and the interdependence between motivations and attachment styles. The results showed that gamers with anxious and avoidant attachment styles suffered from problems associated with MMO gaming more than gamers with a secure attachment style. Also, we found that all gamers played to immerse themselves into a fantastic word regardless of their attachment style.

Exploring the relationship between abstract mindedness, self-regulation, and prosocial behaviour

Previous research has established abstract mindedness as one of the various factors which encourage prosocial behaviour in individuals. This study explored the relationship between abstract mindedness (vs. concrete mindedness) and prosocial behaviour, specifically studying self-regulation as an intervening variable for this relationship among 160 undergraduates (Mage = 22.24 years). It was hypothesized that self-regulation would mediate the relationship between mindset condition (abstract vs. concrete) and prosocial behaviour. Participants completed a series of mindset activation tasks, a self-regulation measure and a prosocial behaviour measure. The results revealed that as compared to concrete mindedness, abstract mindedness resulted in significantly greater prosocial behaviour in participants. However, self-regulation did not appear to mediate the relationship between mindset condition and prosocial behaviour; therefore, rejecting the intervening role of self-regulation in this relationship. The present findings reaffirm that abstract mindedness enhances prosocial behaviour and highlight the need for future research to further examine the underlying constructs of this relationship

Abstract mindset encourages prosocial behaviour

This research attempted to extend the scope of Construal Level Theory (CLT) [1], thus tested whether prosocial behaviour could be induced using positive or negative, concrete or abstract mindset. Participants (N =188) were randomly assigned to one of the four priming conditions of positive concrete or positive abstract or negative concrete, or negative abstract (n = 47). Results obtained supported the main hypothesis indicating priming with abstract construal categories lead to prosocial behavior.

Role of affect in construal of life stressors

The aim of the current study was to examine how construal of negative and positive life events and positive and negative affect are related. 240 participants were randomly distributed into a 2x2 between participants design [(Valence of scenario: Negative vs. Positive) x (Order of response measurement (ORM): Construal -> Affect vs. Affect-> Construal)]. Applying the tenets of construal level theory, we found support for the main hypothesis indicating that construal of life events is dependent on the valence of affect. Negative affect emerged as a partial mediator of valence of life events and their construal.

When is bad stronger than good? A construal level theory perspective

The importance of bad or negative life events has been emphasised primarily all across in different domains of psychological literature (Baumeister, Bratslavsky, Finkenauer, & Vohs, 2001). In the present research, this supremacy of negative events was re-examined by adopting a novel method of Construal Level Theory (Trope & Liberman, 2000). In addition, positive life events was also compared and contrasted with the negative life events. Participants responded to 20 positive and negative life event statements in terms of either the event taking place in a near or temporally proximal condition (yesterday) or far or temporally distal condition (one year ago) and whether these life events happened to them or others (social distances). Two hundred and fifty six participants (110 males and 146 females, Mage=24.63, SD=6.08) were randomly assigned to a 2 (temporal distance: proximal vs. distal) x 2 (events: positive vs. negative) x 2 (social distance: self vs. others) mixed-factorial design experiment, where each participant was presented with a Life Perception Scale(LPS). The findings supported the hypotheses that greater psychological distance (temporal and social)indeed leads to decreased positivity and negativity associated in its perception. Further, perception of temporally distal events (both positive and negative) was found to have significantly lesser impact than temporally proximal events. Events (both positive and negative) perceived for another person (socially distal) showed a significant impact reduction as well; perceptions of negative or positive events for another person were indeed considered less positive or negative.