Current research in ecological and social psychology最新文献

{"title":"Don’t let MI be misunderstood: A causal view on measurement invariance","authors":"Philipp Sterner ,&nbsp;Florian Pargent ,&nbsp;David Goretzko","doi":"10.1016/j.cresp.2025.100261","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cresp.2025.100261","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Measurement invariance (MI) is often treated as a statistical prerequisite for meaningful comparisons of constructs across groups or time points. However, this perspective overlooks the substantive implications (a lack of) MI can have for psychological theories of constructs. In this paper, we frame MI as a causal concept with theoretical significance. We present a causal framework based on directed acyclic graphs (DAGs) that allows researchers to reason about potential causes of non-invariance and include them in their modeling strategy. We argue that non-invariance should not be seen as prohibitive for further exploration and analyses but as an opportunity to generate new insights about constructs and their measurement. That is, under non-invariance, data need a different treatment than simply comparing means between groups and causal reasoning can guide researchers in this regard. We demonstrate the opportunities of the causal framework through an application to the cross-sectional study of acquiescent response style. We further discuss an extension of the causal framework to longitudinal designs. When investigating the invariance of measurements over time, the framework can help to take into account expected or desired non-invariance; for example, when constructs evolve over time or when interventions change measurement models. By showing that MI has substantive theoretical implications, we bridge the gap between methodological rigor and applied research reality.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":72748,"journal":{"name":"Current research in ecological and social psychology","volume":"10 ","pages":"Article 100261"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145977297","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Examining biases and contextualization issues in research: A critical reflection on Pratto et al.'s (2023) study on empathy, counter-dominance, and support for intergroup violence","authors":"Yasin Koc","doi":"10.1016/j.cresp.2026.100265","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cresp.2026.100265","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":72748,"journal":{"name":"Current research in ecological and social psychology","volume":"10 ","pages":"Article 100265"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147396220","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Radical greens? how environmental influencers shape young social media users’ perceived environmental polarization, hopelessness, and collective action intentions","authors":"Ariadne Neureiter ,&nbsp;Alice Binder ,&nbsp;Meda Mucundorfeanu ,&nbsp;Delia C. Balaban ,&nbsp;Jörg Matthes","doi":"10.1016/j.cresp.2026.100269","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cresp.2026.100269","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>As climate change progresses, environmental movements become more radical. Environmental social media influencers increasingly support radical environmental measures such as blocking traffic or destroying art on social media. Yet, it is unclear what effects radical environmental influencers on social media have on young adults’ perceptions of environmental polarization within society. Moreover, based on the theory of identity in intractable conflict and the Elaboration Likelihood Model, hate comments against environmental influencers, and young adults’ environmental knowledge might play a role in perceived environmental polarization triggered by radical environmental influencers. Results of a 2×2 experimental study with a quota-based sample of <em>N</em> = 776 young adults in Germany indicated that radical environmental influencers increased perceived environmental polarization and decreased collective environmental action intentions. Independent of radical environmental influencers, hate comments, and environmental knowledge heightened perceptions of environmental polarization, which was associated with feelings of environmental hopelessness. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":72748,"journal":{"name":"Current research in ecological and social psychology","volume":"10 ","pages":"Article 100269"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147537977","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Exploring generalizability from the bottom up: Applying DTS to demonstrate an item-level approach to personality assessment","authors":"Kendall Mather ,&nbsp;Sara J. Weston ,&nbsp;David M. Condon","doi":"10.1016/j.cresp.2025.100256","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cresp.2025.100256","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Evidence for measurement invariance across groups is regarded as a prerequisite for administering a personality measure in diverse samples and an important criterion for generalizability. However, popular statistical techniques for establishing measurement invariance focus predominantly on broad, scale-level constructs, and there is growing recognition among personality psychologists of the value of item-level assessment. This poses a challenge: while the higher degree of precision offered by more narrowly defined constructs can be beneficial for advancing our scientific understanding of topics studied in personality psychology, it can come at the expense of conducting culturally diverse and inclusive studies. This paper explores the role of measurement invariance evidence in studies that focus on narrower personality constructs––particularly at the item-level––using a sample from the Synthetic Aperture Personality Assessment (SAPA) project consisting of participants (<em>N</em> = 1025,954) residing in 13 culturally and geographically diverse nations. We address the overall lack of available statistical techniques for addressing invariance-related questions at the item-level and demonstrate an approach that compares the item-level empirical cumulative distribution functions (ECDFs) of two groups using 2623 items from the International Personality item Pool (IPIP). Findings point to nations and items with the most significant differences in ECDFs, which may reflect true cultural differences or potential psychometric challenges. ECDF-based tests capture distribution-wide differences that similar, more standard tests cannot detect, making them potentially useful for addressing a variety of research questions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":72748,"journal":{"name":"Current research in ecological and social psychology","volume":"10 ","pages":"Article 100256"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145712156","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Repairing clothes and feeling good: Do positive emotions influence sustainable clothing behaviors?","authors":"Linli Zhou,&nbsp;Anna Bosshard,&nbsp;Disa Sauter,&nbsp;Cameron Brick","doi":"10.1016/j.cresp.2026.100264","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cresp.2026.100264","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>There is growing interest in the possibility of harnessing positive emotional experiences associated with acting sustainably in order to reinforce pro-environmental behaviors. However, most research to date has been based on cross-sectional data or hypothetical scenarios. We conducted a pre-registered longitudinal intervention study relating positive emotions (feeling happy, satisfied, and good) to real-life clothing-related behaviors (repair, acquisition, and disposal). We also measured boredom and frustration, as they may reduce sustainable clothing-related behaviors. 62 participants attended a hands-on clothing repair workshop; 51 others in a control group did not. Across both groups, individuals who anticipated more positive emotions from repairing clothes reported higher repair intentions after the intervention period and four weeks later. In the workshop group, anticipated positive emotions also predicted more repair behaviors four weeks later. In addition, people who experienced more positive emotions from participating in the workshop reported higher repair intentions immediately afterwards and four weeks later. Regarding negative emotions, anticipated boredom reduced repair intentions over time in both groups, and experienced boredom was associated with fewer repairs four weeks later in the workshop group. No significant effects were observed for frustration. Overall, repair intentions increased over time, but several behavioral outcomes did not change (e.g., clothing acquisition). This finding emphasizes the need to measure real-life behaviors rather than only intentions. These data demonstrate that positive emotions are associated with sustainable clothing behaviors over time. Such skilled-based group interventions could potentially help combat the negative impact of the fast fashion industry on climate change.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":72748,"journal":{"name":"Current research in ecological and social psychology","volume":"10 ","pages":"Article 100264"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146078022","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Using invariance testing to study job crafting: a cross-cultural comparison of the well-documented relation between job crafting and work engagement","authors":"Rawan Ghazzawi ,&nbsp;Michael Bender ,&nbsp;Anna Wiegand ,&nbsp;Maina Miletich","doi":"10.1016/j.cresp.2026.100270","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cresp.2026.100270","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>We test one of the classic job crafting scales in Russia (<em>N</em> = 285), Germany (<em>N</em> = 200), and Croatia (<em>N</em> = 192). Job crafting describes work behaviors employees engage in to create a better fit between their preferences and their jobs, typically by modifying existing norms, rules, and practices. We set out to highlight the importance of different invariance testing methods by using the example of job crafting and its well-documented relationship with work engagement. We use (a) strict invariance testing (MGCFA), assessing metric, configural, and scalar invariance, (b) more flexible invariance testing via the alignment methodology, and (c) Bayesian approximate measurement invariance testing (BAMI). The three investigated contexts differ systematically in features related to job crafting (e.g., hierarchy sensitivity), but we did not find that this moderated relations at the individual level. MGCFA indicated that only the job crafting subdimensions (increasing challenging job demands and increasing structural job resources) achieved metric invariance. The other two dimensions (increasing social job resources and decreasing hindering job demands) failed to reach even configural invariance. This questions the cross-cultural equivalence of the full four-factor structure. Alignment optimization further supported this conclusion. The results indicated that nearly half of the items within each non-invariant job crafting dimension displayed non-invariance. In contrast, the remaining two dimensions demonstrated stable factor loadings and an acceptable proportion of non-invariant parameters, including factor loadings and intercepts/thresholds. The different analytic approaches converged in showing that increasing challenging job demands and increasing structural job resources achieved scalar invariance in MGCFA, whereas decreasing hindering job demands and increasing social job resources failed to establish configural invariance. The consistency of this pattern across MGCFA, alignment optimization, and BAMI provide complementary evidence for the cross-cultural robustness of the former two dimensions only. On this basis, we discuss problematic items of job crafting as well as items that can be considered workable across cultural groups. We conclude that at its cross-cultural core, job crafting may be fundamentally about proactive, growth-oriented self-development (more than social negotiation or demand reduction), and highlight the benefits of multiple invariance testing methods to advance the theorizing on job crafting.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":72748,"journal":{"name":"Current research in ecological and social psychology","volume":"10 ","pages":"Article 100270"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147599893","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Subjective norms and pro-environmental behavior: The role of environmental awareness and self-efficacy","authors":"Nejc Plohl ,&nbsp;Karin Bakračevič ,&nbsp;Bojan Musil ,&nbsp;Minea Rutar ,&nbsp;Sara Tement ,&nbsp;Marina Horvat","doi":"10.1016/j.cresp.2026.100263","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cresp.2026.100263","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Climate change is among the leading global concerns and tackling it will require significant changes on various levels of society, including the individual level, where a better understanding of the factors influencing individuals’ pro-environmental behavior (PEB) is needed. Motivated by limited research on integrated models that involve mechanisms and boundary conditions, we explored the complex relationships among subjective norms, environmental awareness, environmental self-efficacy, and PEB through a moderated mediation model. The study was conducted through an online survey of 447 Slovene students and 680 Slovene employees (overall <em>N</em> = 1127). We found that subjective norms, environmental awareness, and self-efficacy positively predicted PEB. Moreover, environmental awareness partially mediated the association between subjective norms and PEB, whereas environmental self-efficacy did not significantly moderate these associations. Our study offers valuable insights into determinants of pro-environmental behavior by highlighting the important role of subjective norms, environmental awareness, and self-efficacy. It also contributes to a better understanding of the intricate dynamics underlying PEB by pointing out that environmental awareness helps translate perceived social pressures into personal action. These findings may inform future interventions aimed at promoting environmentally responsible behavior.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":72748,"journal":{"name":"Current research in ecological and social psychology","volume":"10 ","pages":"Article 100263"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146022840","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Using invariance testing to study religiosity: A within culture comparison of the bases of religiosity","authors":"Larissa Hartle ,&nbsp;Giovanna Bortolini ,&nbsp;Everton Maraldi ,&nbsp;Ronald Fischer","doi":"10.1016/j.cresp.2025.100260","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cresp.2025.100260","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>We test Saroglou’s four-dimensional framework of religiosity in Brazil. The presence of religious traditions that vary in their formalization of institutional structures offers an important context for testing the scale. Using recent advances in invariance testing, we conducted two studies (total <em>N</em> = 3091) with adherents from five religious groupings as well as spiritual but not religious individuals compared to non-religious individuals. Overall, the four-factor scale showed good psychometric properties in the total sample. However, for followers of Afro-Brazilian religions as an example of non-institutionalized traditions a simpler single-factor structure was found. We obtained partial scalar invariance across a subset of religious groups. Explorations of the noninvariant item intercepts suggested that some items carried group-specific interpretations, especially those related to ritual practices and emotional experiences (Bonding dimension). Latent means were overall highest for Believing and lowest for Belonging, with Evangelicals scoring highest on all dimensions. Both the invariance and latent mean patterns were replicated and further differentiated in a replication study. Our study demonstrates the utility of within-cultural invariance analysis and highlights the importance of statistical replications for exploring cognitive dimensions underlying survey responses. Considering bases of religiosity, our invariance results suggest both a shared cognitive structure of religiosity and group-specific interpretations of motivations around ritual practices and emotions across religions varying in their level of institutionalization.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":72748,"journal":{"name":"Current research in ecological and social psychology","volume":"10 ","pages":"Article 100260"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145926828","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Clarifying our article, “When empathy predicts greater support for intergroup violence: Counter-dominance against the U.S. in Syria and Lebanon” (Pratto et al., 2023)","authors":"Felicia Pratto,&nbsp;Shana Levin,&nbsp;Aleksandra Rusowicz","doi":"10.1016/j.cresp.2026.100266","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cresp.2026.100266","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":72748,"journal":{"name":"Current research in ecological and social psychology","volume":"10 ","pages":"Article 100266"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147396222","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Nature’s value associated with traditional worldviews: psychological validation of relational, intrinsic, and instrumental dimensions in Japan","authors":"Wakaba Tateishi ,&nbsp;Yo Nakawake ,&nbsp;Shuhei Fujii ,&nbsp;Shota Shibasaki ,&nbsp;Ryosuke Nakadai","doi":"10.1016/j.cresp.2025.100259","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cresp.2025.100259","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Understanding how people perceive the value of nature is essential for protecting nature. Previous studies have proposed three types of nature’s value: instrumental, intrinsic, and relational. Relational value refers to the perceived appropriateness of the relationship individuals maintain with nature. Although relational values have been discussed in the context of traditional worldviews, empirical research examining the associations among the three types of nature's values and traditional beliefs remains limited. This study investigated the connections between perceptions of nature’s value and traditional religious-oriented worldviews, including animism and anthropocentrism. To explore whether the three types of nature’s value are applicable in a non-Western context, we conducted a preregistered online survey with 745 Japanese participants. Our findings indicate that (i) relational value is linked to traditional religious-oriented worldviews; (ii) relational value shows a strong association with scales measuring human-nature relationships; and (iii) the distinctions among instrumental, intrinsic, and relational values extend beyond Western contexts. These results support the conceptual and construct validity of the three types of nature’s value and offer deeper insights into the diverse ways individuals relate to nature.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":72748,"journal":{"name":"Current research in ecological and social psychology","volume":"10 ","pages":"Article 100259"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145791710","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}