{"title":"The Best-Case Heuristic: Relative Optimism in Relationships, Politics, and a Global Health Pandemic.","authors":"Hallgeir Sjåstad, Jay Van Bavel","doi":"10.1177/01461672231191360","DOIUrl":"10.1177/01461672231191360","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>In four experiments covering three different life domains, participants made future predictions in what they considered the most realistic scenario, an optimistic best-case scenario, or a pessimistic worst-case scenario (<i>N</i> = 2,900 Americans). Consistent with a <i>best-case heuristic</i>, participants made \"realistic\" predictions that were much closer to their best-case scenario than to their worst-case scenario. We found the same best-case asymmetry in health-related predictions during the COVID-19 pandemic, for romantic relationships, and a future presidential election. In a fully between-subject design (Experiment 4), realistic and best-case predictions were practically identical, and they were naturally made faster than the worst-case predictions. At least in the current study domains, the findings suggest that people generate \"realistic\" predictions by leaning toward their best-case scenario and largely ignoring their worst-case scenario. Although political conservatism was correlated with lower covid-related risk perception and lower support of early public-health interventions, the best-case prediction heuristic was ideologically symmetric.</p>","PeriodicalId":19834,"journal":{"name":"Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin","volume":" ","pages":"612-631"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10213112","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Who Do We Turn to and What Do We Get? Cultural Differences in Attachment Structure and Function Among East Asian and Western Individuals.","authors":"Minjoo Joo, Susan E Cross, Sun W Park","doi":"10.1177/01461672231195781","DOIUrl":"10.1177/01461672231195781","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>To whom do we turn for support in times of need, and what does the support from close others convey? The present research investigated how the structure and function of attachment differ for individuals in East Asian and Western cultures. In three studies, using survey and daily diary data, we examined the role of the romantic partner as an attachment figure, and the consequences of receiving responsive support in close relationships among individuals in Korea and the United States. As expected, the role of the romantic partner as an attachment figure was less emphasized for Koreans compared with U.S. participants. Also, responsive support from close others was more strongly linked to affiliation-related end states (i.e., in-group agency) for Koreans than U.S. individuals. The present research demonstrates the need to consider nuanced cultural influences in the attachment literature for the broader application of the theory.</p>","PeriodicalId":19834,"journal":{"name":"Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin","volume":" ","pages":"596-611"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10524511","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Perceived Relative Deprivation Across the Adult Lifespan: An Examination of Aging and Cohort Effects.","authors":"Kieren J Lilly, Chris G Sibley, Danny Osborne","doi":"10.1177/01461672231195332","DOIUrl":"10.1177/01461672231195332","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Despite being a core psychological construct for over 70 years, research has yet to examine how perceptions of deprivation relative to other individuals and/or groups <i>develop</i> across adulthood. As such, this preregistered study uses cohort-sequential latent growth modeling to examine changes in individual- and group-based relative deprivation (IRD and GRD, respectively) across the adult lifespan. Across 10 annual assessments of a nationwide random sample of adults (<i>N</i><sub>total</sub> = 58,878; ethnic minority <i>n</i> = 11,927; 62.7% women; ages 21-80), mean levels of IRD trended downward across the lifespan, whereas mean levels of GRD generally <i>increased</i> from young-to-middle adulthood before declining across late adulthood. Subtle cohort effects emerged for both constructs, although both IRD and GRD largely followed a normative aging process. Critically, the development of GRD-but not IRD-differed between ethnic groups, providing insights into how one's <i>objective</i> status may shape <i>subjective</i> (dis)advantage over time.</p>","PeriodicalId":19834,"journal":{"name":"Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin","volume":" ","pages":"554-572"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11827282/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10508269","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Emphasizing Similarities Between Politically Opposed Groups and Their Influence in Perceptions of the Political Opposition: Evidence From Five Experiments.","authors":"Stylianos Syropoulos, Bernhard Leidner","doi":"10.1177/01461672231192384","DOIUrl":"10.1177/01461672231192384","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Across five experiments (four pre-registered, <i>N</i> = 4,431), we investigate whether emphasizing similarities between Republicans and Democrats can improve intergroup relations between the two groups. Members of both groups who were presented with evidence emphasizing similarities rather than differences in the psychological attitudes of both parties reported greater inclusion of the political opposition in the self, greater belief that common ground can be reached for major social issues, and warmer feelings toward the opposition. Inclusion of the political outgroup in the self mediated the effect of the similarities condition on additional outcomes, relating to more positive and less threatening perceptions of political opposition members. These findings held even when compared with a baseline condition with no information presented to participants. We conclude that by emphasizing the study of group similarities and by disseminating research in a way that highlights similarities, researchers could reduce intergroup hostilities in the political domain.</p>","PeriodicalId":19834,"journal":{"name":"Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin","volume":" ","pages":"530-553"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10508266","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Tyler J Hubeny, Lea S Nahon, Nyx L Ng, Bertram Gawronski
{"title":"Who Falls for Misinformation and Why?","authors":"Tyler J Hubeny, Lea S Nahon, Nyx L Ng, Bertram Gawronski","doi":"10.1177/01461672251328800","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/01461672251328800","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Misinformation is widespread, but only some people accept the false information they encounter. This raises two questions: Who falls for misinformation, and why do they fall for misinformation? To address these questions, two studies investigated associations between 15 individual-difference dimensions and judgments of misinformation as true. Using Signal Detection Theory, the studies further investigated whether the obtained associations are driven by individual differences in truth sensitivity, acceptance threshold, or myside bias. For both political misinformation (Study 1) and misinformation about COVID-19 vaccines (Study 2), truth sensitivity was positively associated with cognitive reflection and actively open-minded thinking, and negatively associated with bullshit receptivity and conspiracy mentality. Although acceptance threshold and myside bias explained considerable variance in judgments of misinformation as true, neither showed robust associations with the measured individual-difference dimensions. The findings provide deeper insights into individual differences in misinformation susceptibility and uncover critical gaps in their scientific understanding.</p>","PeriodicalId":19834,"journal":{"name":"Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin","volume":" ","pages":"1461672251328800"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-03-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143754001","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Erica R Bailey, James T Carter, Sheena S Iyengar, Adam D Galinsky
{"title":"The Privilege to be Yourself Depends on What Others Think of You: Social Status Increases Authenticity.","authors":"Erica R Bailey, James T Carter, Sheena S Iyengar, Adam D Galinsky","doi":"10.1177/01461672251327606","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/01461672251327606","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Authenticity is associated with numerous benefits, including well-being, relationship satisfaction, and workplace engagement, sparking interest in its antecedents. Previous research has primarily concentrated on intraindividual factors like self-knowledge, self-awareness, and self-esteem. Complementing this perspective, we suggest that interpersonal factors also influence authenticity. Specifically, we propose that social status, defined as the respect and admiration received from others, enhances authenticity. Study 1 confirmed that higher status correlated with authentic self-expression in 1,656 naturalistic conversations between strangers. Subsequent studies found that the positive link between status and authenticity (Study 2; <i>N</i> = 980) occurs, in part, through social acceptance (Studies 3-4; <i>N</i> = 1,372). Two additional experiments (Study 5a-b; <i>N</i> = 1,764) manipulated status and compared its causal impact on authenticity to power, another key aspect of social hierarchy, and a recognized antecedent of authenticity. Collectively, our findings support a social perspective in understanding authenticity: individuals feel more like themselves when they are respected and admired by others.</p>","PeriodicalId":19834,"journal":{"name":"Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin","volume":" ","pages":"1461672251327606"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-03-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143753997","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"How Should I Feel About This? Investigating the Emotions and Processes Involved in Indulging in Guilty Pleasures.","authors":"LaCount J Togans, Allen R McConnell","doi":"10.1177/01461672251327440","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/01461672251327440","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Many circumstances trigger mixed feelings, and understanding how people navigate ambivalent affective states sheds light on how social motivations guide behavior. We adopted a discrete, functionalist account of emotion to explore the positive and negative emotions experienced when indulging in guilty pleasures (GPs) and how these outcomes implicate cognitive dissonance and self-presentation processes. Study 1 randomly assigned participants to reflect on a GP or their previous morning routine, whereas Studies 2 (<i>student sample</i>) and 3 (<i>general population sample</i>) assessed participants' GPs, emotions experienced, and self-presentation concerns. Across these studies, GPs elicited positive emotions of amusement, contentment, and enthusiasm, and negative emotions of guilt, embarrassment, and shame, highlighting their ambivalent nature. Participants consistently reported being less likely to share their GPs with more interpersonally distant audiences (e.g., strangers, acquaintances, grandparents) than closer audiences (e.g., friends, immediate family). These findings suggest that cognitive dissonance and self-presentation processes are implicated in GP behaviors.</p>","PeriodicalId":19834,"journal":{"name":"Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin","volume":" ","pages":"1461672251327440"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-03-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143731202","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Social Class, Control, and Culture: Individuals with Low Socioeconomic Status Perceive Less Control in Relationally Immobile Societies.","authors":"Kuan-Ju Huang","doi":"10.1177/01461672251328722","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/01461672251328722","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Studies have shown that individuals with high socioeconomic status (SES) perceive a greater sense of control than those with lower SES. However, no studies have examined how sociocultural contexts affect perceived control of individuals from different SES backgrounds. Studies 1 and 2 found that the association between SES and sense of control was stronger in countries with low relational mobility (e.g. East Asia, the Middle East, and North Africa) compared to those with high relational mobility (e.g. Latin America), largely due to lower perceived control among low-SES individuals in immobile societies. Study 3 demonstrated that self-reported relational mobility mediated the cross-country differences in SES-control associations. Study 4 experimentally manipulated relational mobility to establish its causal effect on the SES-control association. These findings suggest that social environments that afford less-flexible social networks exacerbate SES disparities in perceived control and highlight how social ecology may disproportionately impact individuals with lower SES.</p>","PeriodicalId":19834,"journal":{"name":"Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin","volume":" ","pages":"1461672251328722"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-03-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143731204","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Attachment Orientations Predict the Likelihood of Choosing to be Childfree and the Reasons for Not Wanting Children.","authors":"Sara Glass, R Chris Fraley","doi":"10.1177/01461672251322842","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/01461672251322842","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The current research sought to answer three questions regarding the decision to be childfree using a multi-national sample of over 18,000 people, over 2,000 of whom were childfree. First, we explored the diverse reasons people may have for deciding to be childfree and the rates at which those reasons are endorsed. Next, we investigated the association between attachment orientations and the decision to be childfree. Greater attachment avoidance toward parents was the strongest predictor of being childfree. Attachment anxiety tended to be related to choosing to be childfree due to concerns about health and safety, whereas attachment avoidance tended to be related to choosing to be childfree for personal lifestyle reasons. Overall, these data suggest that people have multiple reasons for choosing childfree lifestyles and that some of these reasons may be grounded in the security of their attachment relationships.</p>","PeriodicalId":19834,"journal":{"name":"Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin","volume":" ","pages":"1461672251322842"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-03-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143731196","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Britt Hadar, Almog Simchon, Michael Gilead, Pamela K Smith
{"title":"Elevated Power Promotes Prosocial Behavior More Than Elevated Status.","authors":"Britt Hadar, Almog Simchon, Michael Gilead, Pamela K Smith","doi":"10.1177/01461672251324678","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/01461672251324678","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Power and status are fundamental elements of social hierarchy, yet their influence on prosocial behavior remains unclear. To distinguish between prosocial and self-serving motives, we focused on behaviors that provide no benefit to the actor's status and may even harm it. We hypothesized that high power increases such behaviors compared to high status. In Studies 1a-2 (<i>N</i> = 824), participants in high-power roles were more likely to prevent harm or provide help at the expense of their reputation compared to those in high-status roles (Studies 1a-2), and those in low-power or low-status roles (Study 1a). In Study 3 (<i>N</i> = 150), greater perceived power was linked to increased anonymous resource allocation in a dictator game, while greater perceived status was linked to decreased allocation. Study 4 (<i>N</i> = 1,135) found that higher Twitter status was associated with delayed prosocial speaking up. These findings suggest that elevated power is more conducive to prosocial behavior than elevated status.</p>","PeriodicalId":19834,"journal":{"name":"Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin","volume":" ","pages":"1461672251324678"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-03-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143731198","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}