Socio-Economic Environment and Human Psychology

This edited volume underlines the value of attending to socioecological approaches in understanding the relationship between the economic environment and human psychology by including state-of-the art research that focuses on the role played by (a) type of ecology and associated economic activity/structure (e.g., farming, herding), (b) socioeconomic status and inequality (e.g., poverty, educational attainment), (c) economic conditions (e.g., wealth, urbanization), and (d) ecological and economic threat (e.g., disasters, resource scarcity) in the shaping of different psychological processes including subjective well-being, construction of the self, endorsement of honor, cognitive styles, responses to social exclusion, food intake, decision-making, health behaviors, and academic outcomes, among others. By doing so the book highlights the importance of situating the individual directly in the everyday realities afforded by economic conditions and settings that provide the material basis of psychological outcomes and contribute to bridging the psychological with the external circumstances. The volume brings together research from different subfields of psychology (cultural, social, developmental) but also from economics, anthropology, evolutionary sciences, and epidemiology that recognizes the importance of individuals’ daily economic realities and their psychological adjustment to those. Reflecting the different (inter)disciplinary approaches presented across the contributions, this volume also showcases the different methods researchers utilize including archival, experimental (lab-based and field), correlational, observational, and agent-based modeling. The findings summarized in this volume have important policy implications, as they point to specific policy agendas that might help improve the psychological and physical health of citizens.

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giorgio Tavano Blessi ◽  
Enzo Grossi ◽  
Giovanni Pieretti ◽  
Guido Ferilli ◽  
Alessandra Landi

This paper evaluates the independent effect of the spatial proximity of green urban areas upon the individual subjective well-being of the Milan population (Italy). The methodology is based on a survey undertaken in 2010 using a sample of 1,000 of Milan citizens. Univariate and multivariate analyses and GIS localization have been employed in order to rank the major individual well-being determinants and the relationship between citizens and urban green areas. Results show that the residential proximity of citizens to urban green areas seems to have little bearing on individual subjective well-being.


Author(s):  
Nguyễn Hữu An ◽  
Lê Duy Mai Phương

Determinants of the variation of happiness have long been discussed in social sciences. Recent studies have focused on investigating cultural factors contributing to the level of individual happiness, in which the cultural dimension of individualism (IND) and collectivism (COL) has been drawing the attention of a large number of scholars. At the cultural level of analysis, happiness is associated with personal achievements as well as personal egoism in individualistic cultures, while it is related to interpersonal relationships in collectivistic cultures. Empirical research yields unconventional results at the individual level of analysis, that is, individuals in collectivistic cultures favor IND to be happy, in contrast, people in individualistic cultures emphasize COL be satisfied in life. Using data from the fifth wave of the World Values Survey (WVS), this study takes the cultural dimension of IND and COL at the individual level of analysis to detect its effects on happiness (conceptualized as subjective well-being – SWB) in the comparison between the two cultures. Multiple linear regression models reveal results that individuals from the “West” experience greater happiness when they expose themselves less individualist, while, individuals from the “East” feel more satisfied and happier in their life when they emphasize more on IND or being more autonomous.


2019 ◽  
Vol 148 (2) ◽  
pp. 417-439 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christoph Glatz ◽  
Anja Eder

Abstract This paper offers elaborate analyses regarding the effects of social- as well as institutional trust as parts of social capital on subjective well-being (SWB) by using data from the European Social Survey, including 36 countries and eight time-points between 2002 and 2016. We analyze (1) The development of trust and SWB on the aggregate level; (2) The effect of trust on SWB on the individual cross-sectional level; and (3) The longitudinal and cross-sectional effect of trust on SWB on the aggregate level while considering control variables based on previous research. We observe a weak positive trend regarding social trust as well as SWB over time, but no significant change in institutional trust. However, trends are far from homogeneous across countries. In accordance to previous studies, we find a positive effect of social trust on SWB. This effect holds on the individual cross-sectional level for every participating country, but also on the longitudinal level. In view of institutional trust, we see a positive effect on SWB on the individual and aggregate cross-sectional level, but not over time. Thus, this study particularly sheds new light on this relation, indicating that it´s cross-sectional relation is due to confounding variables. Moreover, we observe no relation between economic growth and SWB after controlling for unemployment, but a positive effect of decreasing unemployment and inflation on SWB. Our data suggests that establishing an environment with high social trust across Europe would be rewarded with a happy society.


1989 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
William T. McSweeny ◽  
James S. Shortle

High rates of commercial fertilizer and animal manure application on cropland have been identified as an important cause of ground and surface water degradation in many areas of the country. Suggested remedies are often based on the idea that fertilization levels are economically irrational for the individual farmer. The received wisdom is that farmers could simultaneously improve their own economic well being and reduce the degradation of the ground and surface waters by fertilizing only to meet crop nutrient needs. Rather than assuming that farmers act irrationally, this study examines the fertilization problem on a mixed crop-livestock farm from the perspective of a risk-averse farmer coping with two key uncertainties: crop yield response to nitrogen applications and the nitrogen content of manure. The effects on fertilization decisions by such a farmer of various policy prescriptions for reducing surface and ground water pollution are examined. The results underscore the importance of understanding producer behavior for the design of economically sound policy.


2017 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Seher Balcı Çelik ◽  
Gülden Öztürk Serter

The concept of "subjective well-being" is used as a term for happiness in positive psychology.  The subjective well-being called "happiness" among the people is the emotional and cognitive evaluation of the life. Being in a romantic relationship is one of the factors that increase the subjective well-being of the individual. Being in a romantic relationship can provide satisfaction and happiness to the individual, as well as causing events that would lead to get hurt from time to time. Here, the individual displays behaviours such as avoidance or revenge or prefers forgiving as a result of negative emotions caused by getting hurt. In this study, it is aimed to investigate whether the forgiveness levels of university students who have romantic relationship predicts the subjective well-being or not. The study is performed on 329 students who are studying at Hitit University and On Dokuz Mayıs University in 2016-2017 academic year and who have romantic relationships. "Heartland Forgiveness Scale", "Positive Negative Feelings Scale" and "Life Satisfaction Scale" and "Personal Information Form" prepared by the researchers are used in the study. In the study, it can be stated that as the forgiveness scores of the students increase, the subjective well-being scores are also found to increase thus high forgiveness is a factor that increases the subjective well-being level. As a result of the study, the predictor effect of forgiveness levels on subjective well-being is examined and it is determined that self-forgiveness, forgiving others and forgiving the situation which are the sub-dimensions of forgiveness explain 13% of the subjective well-being. Extended English abstract is in the end of Full Text PDF (TURKISH) file.Özet“Öznel iyi-oluş” kavramı pozitif psikolojide mutluluk kavramının karşılığı olarak kullanılmaktadır. Halk arasında ”mutluluk” olarak adlandırılan öznel iyi oluş yaşamın duygusal ve bilişsel açıdan değerlendirilmesidir. Romantik ilişki içerisinde olmak, bireyin öznel iyi oluşunu artıran etkenlerden biridir. Romantik ilişki içerisinde olmak bireylere doyum ve mutluluk sağladığı gibi zaman zaman incinmesine yol açacak olaylar yaşamasına da neden olabilmektedir. Birey incinmenin getirdiği olumsuz duygular sonucunda kaçınma ya da öç alma gibi davranışlar sergilemekte ya da affetme yolunu seçmektedir. Bu çalışmada romantik ilişki yaşayan üniversite öğrencilerinin affedicilik düzeylerinin öznel iyi oluşlarını yordayıp yordamadığının incelenmesi amaçlanmıştır. Çalışma 2016-2017 eğitim öğretim yılında Hitit Üniversitesi ve Ondokuz Mayıs Üniversitesinde öğrenim gören ve romantik ilişkisi olan 329 öğrenci üzerinde gerçekleştirilmiştir. Çalışmada araştırmacılar tarafından hazırlanan “Kişisel Bilgi Formu” ile “Heartland Affetme Ölçeği”, “Pozitif Negatif Duygu Ölçeği” ve “Yaşam Doyum Ölçeği” kullanılmıştır. Araştırmada öğrencilerin affetme puanları arttıkça öznel iyi oluş puanlarının da arttığı belirlenmiştir ve bu sonuca göre affediciliğin yüksek olmasının öznel iyi oluş düzeyini artıran bir faktör olduğu söylenebilir. Araştırma sonucunda affedicilik düzeylerinin öznel iyi oluş üzerinde yordayıcı etkisi incelenmiş ve affetmenin alt boyutları olan kendini affetme, başkalarını affetme ve durumu affetme öznel iyi oluşun  % 13’ünü açıkladığı belirlenmiştir.


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. A. Kislyakov ◽  
I.-L. S. Meyerson ◽  
P. A. Egorova

Introduction. The article analyzes the problem of psychological stability of the individual to socio-cultural threats and negative information impact. As social problems become more acute, the topic of personal security and resistance to emerging threats and risks takes an increasing place in the scientific literature. Today we can observe various violations of the processes of socio-cultural identification, which reduce the adaptive potential of the individual. The reverse side of accessibility in the global information environment is an increase in the degree of danger, the emergence of new risk factors and threats of information and psychological impact. Of particular concern are the facts of Russian youth joining terrorist groups, as well as the facts of youth involvement in destructive protest movements and actions.Materials and methods. The following methods were used for the preparation of this article; theoretical analysis of Russian and international literature, study of scientific articles and publications on the topic, overview of results from Russian and international studies, content analysis.Results. Approaches to determining the content of the category of psychological stability of a person and its various aspects are considered: emotional stability, moral stability, moral stability, stability of behavior forms, resistance to addictive factors, and socio-cultural stability. Identify invariant indicators that determine the psychological stability of the individual in various contexts of countering socio-cultural threats and negative information impact: socio-cultural identity based on views, beliefs, attitudes consistent with moral norms and spiritual values; motivation of the individual to self-actualization, success, openness and commitment to society; subjective well-being and resilience; critical thinking and the ability to predict risks and threats; possession of constructive coping strategies; adaptive personal potential expressed in mastering self-regulation methods that ensure successful adaptation to a changing socio-cultural environment.Discussion and Conclusions. The conducted theoretical research allowed us to conclude that the psychological stability of a person is a complex and multidimensional phenomenon, which is revealed in the moral, socio-psychological and system-activity perspective. It is concluded that the task of forming psychological stability and personal adaptive potential should be updated in the educational system, including the formation of knowledge about oneself as a person, about their psychological capabilities and mechanisms of self-regulation, and the explanation of moral norms and values.


2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 28-39 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.N. Tatarko

The results of meditational analysis role of outgroup social capital when testing the integration hypothesis are presented. We considered how acculturation strategies, individual social capital and subjective well-being of persons living in a multicultural environment are related. The sample included representatives of three ethnic groups, living in the Republic of Dagestan: Avars (N=105), Dargins (N=121), and Russians (N=100). We used a modified method of "resource generator" to study the individual social capital. Also we used a Russian version of Berry's method of assessing acculturation strategies and subjective well-being. The obtained empirical data were analyzed using structural equation modeling. We hypothesized that the choice of integration strategy does not only promote harmonious intergroup relationships, but also has positive effects on well-being on the individual level. Those who choose the integration strategy end up with stronger social capital that works as a protective factor against various negative life events, promoting the overall well-being. However, our hypothesis was supported with Russians only, with Avars and Dargins it was supported with some restrictions. The results of this study shed light onto the socio-psychological mechanisms of integration of ethnic groups in a multicultural region, where integration is closely linked with mutual help and support across the ethnic boundaries.


2012 ◽  
Vol 36 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcel Erlinghagen

The paper investigates in the question if and how the subjective well-being (SWB) of German emigrants, German non-migrants, and German remigrants differ. Based on regression analyses of data from the European Social Survey (ESS) the analyses focus on life satisfaction and happiness as main indicators of SWB. It turns out that German emigrants show increased SWB compared to German non-migrants or remigrants. However, these findings cannot be explained by differences in the socio-economic or socio-demographic group structure. In fact, the increased SWB of emigrants is much more an effect of psychosocial differences and differences in the individual evaluation of household income.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Javier Torres-Vallejos ◽  
Joel Juarros-Basterretxea ◽  
Juan Carlos Oyanedel ◽  
Masatoshi Sato

Improving citizens' subjective well-being (SWB) has become an increasingly visible policy goal across industrialized countries. Although an increasing number of studies have investigated SWB at the individual level, little is known about subjective evaluation at social levels, such as the community and national levels. While the relationships between these levels have been analyzed in previous research, these assessments, which are part of the same unique construct of SWB, are under-investigated. The purpose of this study was to examine the dimensionality and reliability of a single measure of SWB, which contained individual, community, and national levels across three Latin-American countries (Argentina, Chile, and Venezuela), using a bifactor model analysis. Findings showed that the bifactor model exhibited a good fit to the data for the three countries. However, invariance testing between countries was not fully supported because of each item's specific contribution to both specific and general constructs. The analyses of each country showed that the SWB construct was in a gray area between unidimensionality and multidimensionality; some factors contributed more to the general factor and others to the specific level, depending on the country. These findings call for integrating more distant levels (community and country levels) into the understanding of SWB at the individual level, as they contribute not only to an overall construct, but they make unique contributions to SWB, which must be considered in public policy making.


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