scholarly journals Hurry Up, We Need to Find the Key! How Regulatory Focus Design Affects Children’s Trust in a Social Robot

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natalia Calvo-Barajas ◽  
Maha Elgarf ◽  
Giulia Perugia ◽  
Ana Paiva ◽  
Christopher Peters ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Regulatory Focus ◽  
User Study ◽  
Self Regulation ◽  
Social Robot ◽  
Learning Goals ◽  
Positive Outcomes ◽  
Regulatory Focus Theory ◽  
Collaborative Game ◽  
Design Scenario ◽  
The Way

In educational scenarios involving social robots, understanding the way robot behaviors affect children’s motivation to achieve their learning goals is of vital importance. It is crucial for the formation of a trust relationship between the child and the robot so that the robot can effectively fulfill its role as a learning companion. In this study, we investigate the effect of a regulatory focus design scenario on the way children interact with a social robot. Regulatory focus theory is a type of self-regulation that involves specific strategies in pursuit of goals. It provides insights into how a person achieves a particular goal, either through a strategy focused on “promotion” that aims to achieve positive outcomes or through one focused on “prevention” that aims to avoid negative outcomes. In a user study, 69 children (7–9 years old) played a regulatory focus design goal-oriented collaborative game with the EMYS robot. We assessed children’s perception of likability and competence and their trust in the robot, as well as their willingness to follow the robot’s suggestions when pursuing a goal. Results showed that children perceived the prevention-focused robot as being more likable than the promotion-focused robot. We observed that a regulatory focus design did not directly affect trust. However, the perception of likability and competence was positively correlated with children’s trust but negatively correlated with children’s acceptance of the robot’s suggestions.

The Self-Regulatory Focus as a Determinant of Perceived Richness of a Communication Medium

2012 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vicenc Fernandez ◽  
Xavier Armengol ◽  
Pep Simo
Keyword(s):  
Regulatory Focus ◽  
Theoretical Foundation ◽  
Self Regulation ◽  
The Self ◽  
Communication Media ◽  
Regulatory Focus Theory ◽  
Communication Medium ◽  
Expansion Theory ◽  
Channel Expansion ◽  
Focus Theory

At present, a large number of theories exist which explain the process for choosing communication media in organizations. Channel expansion theory combines a large part of the theoretical foundation for these theories, suggesting that the perceived richness of a communication medium varies according to experience based on the knowledge of the organization’s members. Equally, Regulatory Focus Theory also suggests that individuals behave in a different way when their self regulation states are different. This investigation intends to present a set of proposals based on the existing literature about how strategy type /focus (promotion and prevention) affects the perception of the richness of a communication medium, increasing the explanatory capacity of channel expansion theory.

Too Much of a Good Thing? Trade-offs in Promotion and Prevention Focus

2012 ◽  
pp. 64-84 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abigail A. Scholer ◽  
E. Tory Higgins
Keyword(s):  
Regulatory Focus ◽  
Self Regulation ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Regulatory Focus Theory ◽  
Prevention Focus ◽  
Motivational Systems ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Benefits And Costs

Different kinds of motivational orientations provide distinctive ways of perceiving the world, dealing with life's inevitable slings and arrows, regulating challenges and opportunities, and creating success. In this chapter, we explore these differences in the two motivational systems outlined in regulatory focus theory: the promotion and prevention systems (Higgins, 1997). In particular, we discuss these systems in terms of the trade-offs in each; what are the benefits and costs of a strong promotion focus? What are the advantages and drawbacks of a strong prevention focus? We explore the trade-offs of each system with regard to three significant aspects of self-regulation and motivation: emotional experiences, the balance between commitment versus exploration, and performance. We conclude by discussing the importance of constraints on these systems for effective self-regulation and by suggesting avenues for future research.

When Do Chronic Differences in Self-Regulation Count?: Regulatory Focus Effects in Easy and Difficult Soccer Tasks

2013 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 216-220 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tobias Vogel ◽  
Oliver Genschow
Keyword(s):  
Regulatory Focus ◽  
Task Difficulty ◽  
Self Regulation ◽  
Regulatory Fit ◽  
Sports Performance ◽  
Regulatory Focus Theory ◽  
Instructional Focus ◽  
Improved Performance ◽  
And Task

Research on regulatory focus theory (Higgins, 1997) suggests that performance increases if instructions fit with sportspersons’ dispositions. Sportspersons who chronically focus on wins (i.e., promotion-oriented individuals) perform best if instructions frame the objective as a promotion goal (e.g., “Try to hit!”). By contrast, sportspersons who chronically focus on losses (i.e., prevention-oriented individuals) perform best if instructions frame the objective as a prevention goal (e.g., “Try not to miss!”). Recent theorizing also suggests that regulatory focus interacts with task difficulty. In an experiment, we assessed soccer performance as a function of chronic focus, instructional focus, and task difficulty. Results support that task difficulty moderates the effects of fit on performance; fitting instructions to match the sportsperson’s chronic regulatory focus improved performance in the easy rather than the difficult task. Findings are discussed regarding the role of regulatory fit in altering subjective pressure during sports performance.

Differential Gender and Ethnic Differences in Math Performance

2012 ◽  
Vol 220 (3) ◽  
pp. 164-171 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johannes Keller
Keyword(s):  
Ethnic Differences ◽  
Test Performance ◽  
Regulatory Focus ◽  
Self Regulation ◽  
American College Test ◽  
Math Performance ◽  
Differential Sensitivity ◽  
Regulatory Focus Theory ◽  
Math Test ◽  
Focus Theory

The present research investigates the role of self-regulatory mechanisms in the context of gender and ethnic differences (between African Americans and Caucasians) in math test performance. Building on two basic notions proposed in regulatory focus theory, it is argued that gender and ethnic differences in math performance are particularly pronounced under conditions where prevention-focused self-regulation is activated (by emphasizing point deductions for mistakes). This assumption refers to a specific mechanism documented in previous research on regulatory focus theory: The differential-sensitivity mechanism according to which a prevention focus renders individuals particularly sensitive with regard to negative information (such as negative performance expectancies). Results of an archival data analysis document a substantial differential gender and ethnic gap in math performance as a function of test instruction (involving point deductions for mistakes or not) supporting the proposed differential gender and ethnic-gap hypothesis. The gap between women and men as well as the gap between African-American and Caucasian test takers is substantially larger in the Scholastic Aptitude Test for math (which involves point deductions for mistakes) than in the corresponding American College Test.

scholarly journals Identity-Specific Motivation: How Distinct Identities Direct Self-Regulation across Distinct Situations

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander S. Browman ◽  
Mesmin Destin ◽  
Daniel C. Molden
Keyword(s):  
Regulatory Focus ◽  
Life Experiences ◽  
Self Regulation ◽  
The Self ◽  
Self Concept ◽  
Regulatory Focus Theory ◽  
History Of ◽  
Group Member ◽  
Focus Theory

Research on self-regulation has traditionally emphasized that people’s thoughts and actions are guided by either (a) domain-general motivations that emerge from a cumulative history of life experiences, or (b) situation-specific motivations that emerge in immediate response to the incentives present in a particular context. However, more recent studies have illustrated the importance of understanding the interplay between such domain-general and situation-specific motivations across the types of contexts people regularly encounter. The present research, therefore, expands existing perspectives on self-regulation by investigating how people’s identities—the internalized roles, relationships, and social group member- ships that define who they are—systemically guide when and how different domain-general motivations are activated within specific types of situations. Using the motivational framework described by regulatory focus theory (Higgins, 1997), Studies 1 and 2 demonstrate that people indeed have distinct, identity-specific motivations that uniquely influence their current self-regulation when such identities are active. Studies 3–5 then begin to explore how identity-specific motivations are situated within people’s larger self-concept. Studies 3a and 3b demonstrate that the less compatible people’s specific identities, the more distinct are the motivations connected to those identities. Studies 4–5 then provide some initial, suggestive evidence that identity-specific motivations are not a separate, superordinate feature of people’s identities that then alter how they pursue any subordinate, identity-relevant traits, but instead that such motivations emerge from the cumulative motivational significance of the subordinate traits to which the identities themselves become attached. Implications for understanding the role of the self- concept in self-regulation are discussed.

Vigilant Self–regulation and Costly Punishment in Public Goods Situations

2013 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 346-354 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefan Pfattheicher ◽  
Johannes Keller
Keyword(s):  
Individual Differences ◽  
Regulatory Focus ◽  
Self Regulation ◽  
Social Dilemma ◽  
Behavioral Inhibition System ◽  
Regulatory Focus Theory ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Costly Punishment ◽  
Interaction Partners ◽  
Focus Theory

Applying regulatory focus theory to the context of social dilemma situations, the present research demonstrates that individual differences in vigilant, prevention–focused self–regulation predict the tendency to invest private resources to punish uncooperative interaction partners (costly punishment), a behaviour that typically has strong positive effects on the collective level of cooperation. Analyses further support the distinctiveness of the vigilance system proposed in regulatory focus theory (prevention focus) in comparison with general defensive inhibitory tendencies (measured with Carver and White's Behavioral Inhibition System scale). Results document that individual differences in prevention–focused self–regulation but not differences in general defensive inhibitory tendencies are positively related to costly punishment. In sum, the findings indicate that vigilant, prevention–focused self–regulation plays a crucial role in the context of sanctions that enforce cooperation. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

scholarly journals Regulatory focus and human values

Psihologija ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 50 (2) ◽  
pp. 157-186
Author(s):  
Johannes Keller ◽  
Rebekka Kesberg
Keyword(s):  
Regulatory Focus ◽  
Self Regulation ◽  
Empirical Work ◽  
Human Values ◽  
Dimensional Structure ◽  
Regulatory Focus Theory ◽  
Human Motivation ◽  
Conservation Values ◽  
Self Transcendence ◽  
Focus Theory

The present article connects two approaches to the study of human motivation and behavior: The Schwartz model of human values and Higgins? regulatory focus theory. Considering a prominent model of human motivation - the Rubicon Model of Action Phases - reveals that although both approaches refer to goals and standards as crucial constructs, human values are specifically relevant concerning the so-called deliberation and evaluation phases whereas selfregulatory orientations are specifically relevant concerning the volitional phases (i.e., planning and action). It may be due to the selective focus on specific aspects of human motivation that up to date hardly any (empirical) work has tried to connect human values and selfregulatory orientations. The reported studies assessed the relation between the endorsement of values proposed in the Schwartz model of human values and individual differences in the two self-regulatory orientations (promotion and prevention) proposed in regulatory focus theory. Findings reveal that prevention-focused self-regulation is positively related to conservation values (security, conformity) and negatively related to values reflecting openness to change (stimulation, self-direction). Moreover, promotion-focused self-regulation was positively related to self-enhancement values (power, achievement) and negatively related to values reflecting self-transcendence (universalism, benevolence). In addition, the observed relations were found using different instruments to measure human values and self-regulatory orientations. In combination, the observed findings support the proposed two-dimensional structure of the value system as well as fundamental assumptions of regulatory focus theory.

Vigilant Self–Regulation, Cues of being Watched and Cooperativeness

2011 ◽  
Vol 25 (5) ◽  
pp. 363-372 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johannes Keller ◽  
Stefan Pfattheicher
Keyword(s):  
Regulatory Focus ◽  
Self Regulation ◽  
Initial Study ◽  
Regulatory Mechanisms ◽  
Cooperative Behaviour ◽  
Regulatory Focus Theory ◽  
Prevention Focus ◽  
Potential Mediator ◽  
Behaviour Study ◽  
Conservation Organizations

The present research examined the interplay of individual differences in self–regulatory mechanisms as outlined in regulatory focus theory (promotion– and prevention–focus) and a cue of being watched in the context of cooperative behaviour. Study 1 revealed that the more individuals’ habitual self–regulatory orientation is dominated by a vigilant prevention focus, the more likely they are to act cooperatively (i.e. to donate money to natural conservation organizations) when a subtle cue of being watched renders reputational concerns salient. In contrast, when no such cue is provided individuals’ habitual vigilant self–regulatory orientation is negatively related to cooperative behaviour. Study 2 replicated the results of the initial study and examined interpersonal sensitivity (empathic concern) as a potential mediator of the observed effects. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Investigating a Message Tailoring Strategy to Improve Efficacy of Activity Promotion Interventions: A Study Protocol (Preprint)

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leila Sadat Rezai ◽  
Catherine Marie Burns
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Regulatory Focus ◽  
Message Framing ◽  
Physical Activity Behaviour ◽  
Activity Level ◽  
Regulatory Focus Theory ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Physically Active ◽  
Activity Promotion ◽  
Focus Theory

BACKGROUND There have been challenges in designing effective behaviour-change interventions, including those that promote physical activity. One of the key reasons is that many of those systems do not account for individuals’ characteristics and their psychological differences, which affect their approach toward adopting target behaviour. For decades, tailoring has been used as a common technique to effectively communicate health-related information to persuade people to follow a healthier living. However, its use in the design of persuasive technologies has not been adequately investigated. OBJECTIVE The objective of this research is to explore the effects of tailoring when it is grounded in Higgins’ regulatory focus theory. METHODS A combination of cross-sectional and longitudinal studies has been proposed to examine how individuals’ intention to become more physically active would be affected by receiving health messages that may or may not match their self-regulatory orientation. The research would also subjectively, as well as objectively, measures the changes in individuals’ physical activity level. RESULTS The anticipated completion date for the consequent studies is December 2016. CONCLUSIONS In this article, the importance of refining message-framing research questions and a stepwise approach to develop an efficient experimental design to examine a new tailoring strategy is discussed. A set of small studies is proposed that would inform the best approach to design the principal experiment. The findings of principal experiment will provide a deeper insight into the relationship between regulatory-focus theory, persuasive message construction, and individuals’ physical activity behaviour.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document