Showing papers in "Personality and Social Psychology Review in 1999"
TL;DR: Given the many mechanisms for disengaging moral control, civilized life requires, in addition to humane personal standards, safeguards built into social systems that uphold compassionate behavior and renounce cruelty.
Abstract: Moral agency is manifested in both the power to refrain from behaving inhumanely and the proactive power to behave humanely. Moral agency is embedded in a broader sociocognitive self theory encompassing self-organizing, proactive, self-reflective, and self-regulatory mechanisms rooted in personal standards linked to self-sanctions. The self-regulatory mechanisms governing moral conduct do not come into play unless they are activated, and there are many psychosocial maneuvers by which moral self-sanctions are selectively disengaged from inhumane conduct. The moral disengagement may center on the cognitive restructuring of inhumane conduct into a benign or worthy one by moral justification, sanitizing language, and advantageous comparison; disavowal of a sense of personal agency by diffusion or displacement of responsibility; disregarding or minimizing the injurious effects of one's actions; and attribution of blame to, and dehumanization of, those who are victimized. Many inhumanities operate through a supportive network of legitimate enterprises run by otherwise considerate people who contribute to destructive activities by disconnected subdivision of functions and diffusion of responsibility. Given the many mechanisms for disengaging moral control, civilized life requires, in addition to humane personal standards, safeguards built into social systems that uphold compassionate behavior and renounce cruelty.
2,836 citations
TL;DR: A theoretical approach to social discrimination and intergroup relations characterized by tolerance and plurality is presented and central to the analysis is the question of how members deal with intergroup difference.
Abstract: In this article, we present a theoretical approach to social discrimination on the one hand and intergroup relations characterized by tolerance and plurality on the other hand. Central to the analysis is the question of how members deal with intergroup difference. If the outgroup's difference is judged to be nonnormative and inferior, devaluation, discrimination, and hostility are likely responses toward the outgroup. Judging the outgroup's difference to be normative or positive leads to acceptance and appreciation of this group. Following self-categorization theory, the criteria—being norms and values for judging intergroup differences—are derived from the superordinate category that is perceived to include both groups. More specifically, they are derived from the prototype, or representation, of this inclusive category. Social discrimination results from the generalization of ingroup attributes to the inclusive category, which then become criteria for judging the outgroup. Tolerance, on the other hand, ...
583 citations
TL;DR: A detailed model of people's reason explanations is developed, which emphasizes the unique conceptual and linguistic features of reasons and points to limitations of traditional attribution concepts, which are examined theoretically and empirically.
Abstract: This article presents a theoretical framework of how people explain behavior. The framework, based on the folk concept of intentionality, distinguishes two major modes of explanation—reason explanation and cause explanation—as well as two minor modes and identifies conditions under which they occur. Three studies provide empirical support for these distinctions. As part of the framework, a detailed model of people's reason explanations is developed, which emphasizes the unique conceptual and linguistic features of reasons. This model points to limitations of traditional attribution concepts, which are examined theoretically and empirically. Finally, the theoretical framework incorporates attribution concepts, which apply to some but not all modes of explanation. Several paths for future research are outlined—on novel topics such as the roles of rationality and subjectivity in explanations and on classic topics such as the actor-observer asymmetry and the self-serving bias.
507 citations
TL;DR: Results indicated that the undermining effect of performance goals relative to mastery goals was contingent on whether participants received confirming or nonconfirming competence feedback, and on whether the experimental procedures induced a performance-approach or performance-avoidance orientation.
Abstract: This article presents a meta-analysis of the experimental literature that has examined the effect of performance and mastery achievement goals on intrinsic motivation. Summary analyses provided support for the hypothesis that the pursuit of performance goals has an undermining effect on intrinsic motivation relative to the pursuit of mastery goals. Moderator analyses were conducted in an attempt to explain significant variation in the magnitude and direction of this effect across studies. Results indicated that the undermining effect of performance goals relative to mastery goals was contingent on whether participants received confirming or nonconfirming competence feedback, and on whether the experimental procedures induced a performance-approach or performance-avoidance orientation. These findings provide conceptual clarity to the literature on achievement goals and intrinsic motivation and suggest numerous avenues for subsequent empirical work.
402 citations
TL;DR: It is argued that the combined effects of these processes can account for successful FITD demonstrations as well as studies in which the technique was ineffective or led to a decrease in compliance.
Abstract: Research on the social compliance procedure known as the footin-the-door (FITD) technique is reviewed. Several psychological processes that may be set in motion with a FITD manipulation are identified: self-perception, psychological reactance, conformity, consistency, attributions, and commitment. A review of relevant investigations and several meta-analyses support the notion that each of these processes can influence compliance behavior in the FITD situation. I argue that the combined effects of these processes can account for successful FITD demonstrations as well as studies in which the technique was ineffective or led to a decrease in compliance. The experimental conditions most likely to produce an FITD effect are identified.
389 citations
TL;DR: These innovative perspectives on socially shared behavior represent a new approach to the study of groups and are distinct from traditional models of the group mind and crowd behavior.
Abstract: In this article, we review 4 classes of models of socially shared cognition and behavior: supraindividual models, information-processing models, communication models, and social interaction models. Our review draws on research and theory in social psychology, sociology, and organization behavior. We conclude that these innovative perspectives on socially shared behavior represent a new approach to the study of groups and are distinct from traditional models of the group mind and crowd behavior. The key processes implicated in these models focus on the potency of immediate interaction, reciprocal influence processes between individuals and groups, goal-directed behavior, negotiated processing of information and ideas, and the maintenance and enhancement of social identity. This approach to socially shared understanding is not antagonistic toward the analysis of individual-level processes but rather maintains that individual-level processes are necessary but not sufficient to build a social psychology of sh...
293 citations
TL;DR: A theory is outlined that assumes that emotions are motivational states with the special function of producing adaptation to situational conditions and that the intensity of that emotion is a nonmonotonic function of deterrence to the aim of the emotion.
Abstract: A theory is outlined that assumes that emotions are motivational states with the special function of producing adaptation to situational conditions. The theory assumes that the emotional system lies in the central nervous system, that it is fast to react, able to change quickly from one emotional state to another, produces only one emotion at a time, and that the intensity of that emotion is a nonmonotonic function of deterrence to the aim of the emotion. Supporting data from several experimental tests are reported, and selected theoretical problems are discussed.
264 citations
TL;DR: It is proposed that passion is a function of change in intimacy (i.e., the first derivative of intimacy overtime), which is able to account for a broad range of evidence, including frequency of sex in long-term relationships, intimate and sexual behavior of extraverts, gender differences in intimate behavior, gain and loss effects of communicated attraction.
Abstract: To build on existing theories about love, we propose that passion is a function of change in intimacy (i.e., the first derivative of intimacy overtime). Hence, passion will be low when intimacy is stable (either high or low), but rising intimacy will create a strong sense of passion. This view is able to account for a broad range of evidence, including frequency of sex in long-term relationships, intimate and sexual behavior of extraverts, gender differences in intimate behavior, gain and loss effects of communicated attraction, the biologically atypical human preference for face-to-face coitus, and patterns of distress in romantic breakups. Although this view may provide a good fit to available evidence, the totality of evidence is not yet adequate for a definitive conclusion, and suggestions for further research are offered.
246 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a meta-analysis of the relation of heavyweight and self-esteem was conducted, and the overall mean effect size was moderate (r = -18, d = -36), with lower selfesteem associated with heavier weight.
Abstract: This study is a meta-analysis of the relation of heavyweight and self-esteem. We examined this relation in studies thatfocused on participants' actual body weight (assessed by physical measures or self-reports of weight and height) and studies thatfocused on self-perceived degree of heavyweight or body dissatisfaction. The overall mean effect size was moderate (r = -.18, d = -.36), with lower self-esteem associated with heavier weight. The correlation between self-esteem and weight was higher for studies of self-perceived weight than for studies of actual weight. Consistent with predictions about cultural and group differences, effect sizes were smaller for low socioeconomic status (SES) samples, ethnic minority samples, and nonclinical samples than for high SES, nonminority, and clinical samples, respectively. In addition, effect sizes were larger for women than for men and for high school and college students than for children. Discussion centered on cultural, group, and individual differences that may ...
230 citations
TL;DR: It is argued that the inclusion of deservingness goes beyond approaches in which perceived responsibility is accorded central status by adding a further link in the causal chain, thus enabling a more complete consideration of the effects of justice and value variables on how people react to positive and negative outcomes for both self and other.
Abstract: This article presents a review and conceptual analysis of the concept of deservingness that incorporates the effects of personal values, perceived responsibility, ingroup-outgroup relations, and like-dislike relations. Selected studies show that reactions to another's success or failure and to the rise or fall of "tall poppies" or high achievers depends on the degree to which the positive or negative outcome is seen to be deserved; that individual differences in personal values and in value syndromes may be assumed to affect deservingness via the subjective values assigned to actions and outcomes; that group membership, status, interpersonal liking-disliking, and perceived moral character also affect judgments of deservingness; and that deservingness is a key variable that mediates how observers react to penalties imposed on the perpetrators of different kinds of offense. It is argued that the inclusion of deservingness goes beyond approaches in which perceived responsibility is accorded central status by adding a further link in the causal chain, thus enabling a more complete consideration of the effects of justice and value variables on how people react to positive and negative outcomes for both self and other.
212 citations
TL;DR: 3 areas of continuing controversy are discussed: who should decide if sexual or domestic violence has occurred, what to count as sexual and domestic violence, and the role of gender in defining sexual and Domestic violence.
Abstract: What counts as "violence" is socially constructed, has varied over time, and reflects power relationships. Informed by social constructionism, we illustrate these points using as examples sexual violence and domestic violence. We review changes in how society and social scientists have defined and understood these topics during the last 30 years. We then discuss 3 areas of continuing controversy: who should decide if sexual or domestic violence has occurred, what to count as sexual and domestic violence, and the role of gender in defining sexual and domestic violence.
TL;DR: Three main sources of intrinsic appeal and satisfaction from performing violent acts are described, and an opponent-process model is suggested.
Abstract: Three main sources of intrinsic appeal and satisfaction from performing violent acts are described. First, sadism involves deriving pleasure directly from the suffering of the victim. An opponent-process model is suggested. Second, the quest for thrilling sensations to escape from boredom can produce violent acts, including many in which the harmful consequences were not intended. Third, threatened egotism entails that one's favorable view of self (orpub1ic image) has been attacked, and violent responses are directed toward the source of this attack. Relevant individual differences (respectively, low guilt, high sensation seeking, and narcissism) moderate these patterns. Analyzing the intrinsic appeal of evil acts is a useful complement to analyzing situational determinants of violence.
TL;DR: The socialization and experience of children and youth that lead to aggression and the subsequent evolution of aggression toward greater violence and evil are examined, and the way personal characteristics and a system of relationships can lead to sexual abuse by fathers is explored.
Abstract: Evil actions are defined as repeated or persistent, not commensurate with provocation and causing extreme harm, at times due to repetition. Evil develops or evolves. As individuals and groups harm others, they tend to develop characteristics that make further and more intense harmdoing probable. In this article, I explore instigating conditions (difficult life conditions in a society, group conflict); cultural characteristics; the nature of evolution, with its psychological and social processes in individuals and groups; and the passivity and complicity of bystanders that lead to genocide and other collective violence. I consider the question of whether bystanders can be regarded as evil, focusing on the genocide in Rwanda as an example. I examine the socialization and experience of children and youth that lead to aggression and the subsequent evolution of aggression toward greater violence and evil. I explore the way personal characteristics and a system of relationships can lead to sexual abuse by fathers. One organizing concept in understanding the generation of violence that causes extreme harm is the frustration of basic human needs and their subsequent destructive fulfillment.
TL;DR: Several psychophysiological approaches have been found valuable for assessing the valence and intensity of emotional responses and the availability of these tools make prejudice research ready for a return to psychophysiology methodologies.
Abstract: Many early studies of prejudice adopted psychophysiological measures as a way to circumvent the limitations of self-report instruments. Despite serious methodological weaknesses, that literature consistently points to the value of physiological probes as nonreactive indexes of affective responses to target stimuli. Possible reasons for the virtual abandonment of psychophysiological approaches in the study of prejudice over the last 15 years are outlined, and their reintroduction is advocated on methodological and conceptual grounds. Theoretical perspectives and empirical research in a closely related area, the psychophysiology of emotion, are reviewed and the implications of this literature for the study of prejudice are discussed. Several psychophysiological approaches have been found valuable for assessing the valence and intensity of emotional responses. The availability of these tools, together with the shifting theoretical zeitgeist, make prejudice research ready for a return to psychophysiological m...
TL;DR: 4 of Asch's ideas are examined that have proven to be particularly influential in later efforts to understand social influence in groups: social interaction depends on individuals' ability to represent others' positions, define themselves as members of the same group, and regulate their behavior in terms of the norms and values of the group.
Abstract: Asch's work has had a profound impact on how psychologists think about and study social influence in groups. To appreciate this impact, we must go beyond his classic conformity experiments and consider his broader theoretical framework. This article examines 4 of Asch's ideas that have proven to be particularly influential in later efforts to understand social influence in groups: (a) Social interaction depends on individuals' ability to represent others' positions, define themselves as members of the same group, and regulate their behavior in terms of the norms and values of the group; (b) independence is critical to effective group functioning; (c) independence and conformity are not simply mirror images that can be explained in terms of a unitary psychological process; and (d) change of meaning is an important mechanism of social influence. Finally, Asch's role as a theorist and researcher in the wider area of group dynamics is considered.
TL;DR: It is suggested that many persons have a prototypic conception of evil and speculate about the dimensions that could be involved in this prototype.
Abstract: Social psychology as a discipline has given relatively little attention to the problem of evil in society, and those discussions in this field that do exist typically regard evil actions as only varieties of aggression without any characteristics that distinguish them from other forms of intentional mistreatment of others. Because of the field's situationistic perspective emphasizing the individual's susceptibility to the power of the immediate situation, social psychoiogists generally view the fairly high levels of obedience to authority displayed in Milgram's (1963, 1974) classic experiment as the paradigmatic example of evil behavior. For them, much evil is, in Arendt's (1963) well-known phrase, only "banal," and Milgram's findings are often viewed as illustrating the "central dynamic" involved in the slaughter of millions of Jews and other "undesirables" in the Holocaust. This article holds that Milgram's (1974) obedience research does not represent significant features of the Holocaust, especially the sadism that occurred not infrequently, and disregards the vital difference between those who initiated the murderous policy and the others who followed their orders. Building on Darley's (1992) earlier conjectures about the features that ordinary people might consider in judging whether any given action is evil, I suggest that many persons have a prototypic conception of evil and speculate about the dimensions that could be involved in this prototype.
TL;DR: An examination of research relevant to this hypothesis suggests that there are a variety of cognitive and affective processes that may produce a relatively condoning attitude toward perpetrators as a result of explaining their actions.
Abstract: Analysts of evil and violence express the concern that to explain harmdoing may result in a condoning attitude toward perpetrators. An examination of research relevant to this hypothesis suggests that there are a variety of cognitive and affective processes that may produce a relatively condoning attitude toward perpetrators as a result of explaining their actions. Evidence from 3 exploratory studies supported the exonerating effects of explanations. Participants generating explicit explanations of harmdoing displayed a more condoning attitude toward pelpetrators than did those forming impressions of perpetrators without first explaining the acts. Participants reading social-psychological explanations of harmdoing also judged the researcher to be more condoning of perpetrators than those reading dispositional explanations of the same behavior. Implications of these findings are discussed.
TL;DR: It is suggested that future research address how the corporation 's obligations to foresee consequences and the sheer, primitive consequences themselves may shape perceptions of corporate foreseeability.
Abstract: The second face of evil is hurtful, rather than malevolent. We argue that this is likely to be the form of wrongdoing characteristic of corporate actors. This article views the corporation at 3 levels: the individual self-interested actors within it, the individual actors who respond to their hierarchical position, and the hierarchy (corporation) it-self Research shows that action inside complex organizations such as corporations is not necessarily more rational and informed by greater foresight than individual actions, but several studies indicate that individuals hold organizations to a higher level of responsibility than individuals committing similar acts, and they do so in part because they perceive organizations to enjoy greater foresight. We address this paradox by suggesting that future research address how the corporation 's obligations to foresee consequences and the sheer, primitive consequences themselves may shape perceptions of corporate foreseeability.
TL;DR: It is argued that an approach in which combinations of methods are employed to arrive at theoretical constructions can both support generalizations that provide insights into the socialization process and be sufficiently rigorous to support prudent social action recommendations.
Abstract: For obvious ethical reasons, experimental studies of severe harm-doing actions are precluded. What methods are available to experimental social psychologists for the study of harm- and evil-doing activities? Three are suggested: experiments that may have a component of role-playing but still can illuminate nodes in the socialization into harm-doing process, probes into the conceptual world of individuals who are enlisted into real-world harm-doing socialization processes, and secondary analyses of case studies written by those who have been caught up in harm doing. The methodological limits of each activity are examined, and it is argued that an approach in which combinations of methods are employed to arrive at theoretical constructions can both support generalizations that provide insights into the socialization process and be sufficiently rigorous to support prudent social action recommendations.
TL;DR: The authors discusses the construct of trait relevance, explicates why differences in trait relevance need to be incorporated into models of trait assessment, and suggests new possibilities for the measurement of traits' relevance.
Abstract: Growing agreement exists among psychologists that all traits are not equally relevant to allpeople. The assumption that traits differ in their relevance across individuals has implications for psychometric theory and the assessment of reliability and validity. Specifically, the less relevant a trait is to an individual, the more error that person is contributing to the measurement process. This article discusses the construct of trait relevance, explicates why differences in trait relevance need to be incorporated into models of trait assessment, and suggests new possibilities for the measurement of trait relevance.
TL;DR: In his work, Asch foresaw the importance of online processing of information, the existence of implicit theories of personality, as well as perception based on exemplars and prototypes, but his reliance on immediate perceptual experience, on isomorphism between the properties of the external object and the phenomenal experience of this object, and his holistic and dynamic perspective clash with the main stream of social cognition research.
Abstract: This article discusses 2 commonly held ideas about Solomon Asch's work in social psychology: (a) Asch was primarily interested in social phenomena in general and in group processes in particular, and (b) Asch was a forerunner of social cognition. Asch's studies on social influence were translations of strictly perceptual experiments. For him, social stimuli had no specificity relative to physical ones provided that the perceptual context presented similar structural properties. Moreover, and contrary to Kurt Lewin (e.g., 1948) Asch focused his attention at the individual level and may have slowed down interest in social interactions or group processes. Asch's studies on impression formation presaged the social cognition approach. In his work, he foresaw the importance of online processing of information, the existence of implicit theories of personality, as well as perception based on exemplars and prototypes. However, Asch's reliance on immediate perceptual experience, on isomorphism between the properties of the external object and the phenomenal experience of this object, and his holistic and dynamic perspective clash with the main stream of social cognition research.
TL;DR: The study of harmful behaviors has long been of major concern to personality and social psychologists and the contexts in which people regularly impose harm and suffering seem, at times, depressingly infinite.
Abstract: The study of harmful behaviors has long been of major concern to personality and social psychologists. The contexts in which people regularly impose harm and suffering on others seem, at times, depressingly infinite. The mere listing of representative scenarios of harmdoingrape, genocide, war, child abuse, domestic violence, murder, prejudice and discrimination, bureaucratic corruption, and corporate crime-will, for