scholarly journals Is Psychology Still a Science of Behaviour?

2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. e25025 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dariusz Doliński
Keyword(s):  
Social Psychology ◽  
Statistical Analysis ◽  
Social Influence ◽  
Empirical Data ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Human Behaviour ◽  
Cognitive Shift

Since the 1970s, social psychology has examined real human behaviour to an increasingly smaller degree. This article is an analysis of the reasons why this is so. The author points out that the otherwise valuable phenomenon of cognitive shift, which occurred in social psychology precisely in the 1970s, naturally boosted the interest of psychologists in such phenomena like stereotypes, attitudes, and values; at the same time, it unfortunately decreased interest in others, like aggression, altruism, and social influence. In recent decades, we have also witnessed a growing conviction among psychologists that explaining why people display certain reactions holds greater importance than demonstrating the conditions under which people display these reactions. This assumption has been accompanied by the spread of statistical analysis applied to empirical data, which has led to researchers today generally preferring to employ survey studies (even if they are a component of experiments being conducted) to the analysis of behavioural variables. The author analyses the contents of the most recent volume of “Journal of Personality and Social Psychology”, and argues that it is essentially devoid of presentations of empirical studies in which human behaviours are examined. This gives rise to the question of whether social psychology remains a science of behaviour, and whether such a condition of the discipline is desirable.

scholarly journals Is Observing Behaviour the Best Way to Understand Behaviour?

2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. e26076 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leonel Garcia-Marques ◽  
Mário B. Ferreira
Keyword(s):  
Social Psychology ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Past Research ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Human Behaviour ◽  
Complex Behaviour ◽  
Good Criterion ◽  
Computer Keyboard

Dolinski (2018, this issue) argues that Social Psychology may hardly be considered a science of behaviour anymore, given the rarity of published studies in which the dependent measures involve behaviours other than the completion of surveys, pressing of keys on a computer keyboard, or clicking a mouse. In the present, we comment on this void of empirical studies in which “real” human behaviours are examined to put forward the following points: i) Key-pressing can be a human behaviour as meaningful as any other more complex behaviour (i.e., behavioural complexity is not a good criterion for meaningfulness), ii) Lessons learned from past research in social psychology have shown us that studying “real” behaviour introduces a number of well-known complications, iii) Improvement in the comprehension of human behaviour depends more on a strong theoretical lens constrained by results obtained via rigorous experimentation than on the complexity of people’s observed actions.

An empirical review of gambling expansion and gambling-related harm

2018 ◽  
Vol 64 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 295-306 ◽  
Author(s):  
Debi A. LaPlante ◽  
Heather M. Gray ◽  
Pat M. Williams ◽  
Sarah E. Nelson
Keyword(s):  
Literature Review ◽  
Peer Review ◽  
Empirical Data ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Expansion Method ◽  
Responsible Gambling ◽  
Review Literature ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Empirical Comparison ◽  
Related Harm

Abstract. Aims: To discuss and review the latest research related to gambling expansion. Method: We completed a literature review and empirical comparison of peer reviewed findings related to gambling expansion and subsequent gambling-related changes among the population. Results: Although gambling expansion is associated with changes in gambling and gambling-related problems, empirical studies suggest that these effects are mixed and the available literature is limited. For example, the peer review literature suggests that most post-expansion gambling outcomes (i. e., 22 of 34 possible expansion outcomes; 64.7 %) indicate no observable change or a decrease in gambling outcomes, and a minority (i. e., 12 of 34 possible expansion outcomes; 35.3 %) indicate an increase in gambling outcomes. Conclusions: Empirical data related to gambling expansion suggests that its effects are more complex than frequently considered; however, evidence-based intervention might help prepare jurisdictions to deal with potential consequences. Jurisdictions can develop and evaluate responsible gambling programs to try to mitigate the impacts of expanded gambling.

POLARYZACJA GRUPOWA W WARUNKACH DEBATY DELIBERATYWNEJ

2014 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 19-29
Author(s):  
Elżbieta Wesołowska
Keyword(s):  
Social Psychology ◽  
John Rawls ◽  
Empirical Data ◽  
Group Decision ◽  
Group Discussion ◽  
Positive Outcomes ◽  
Group Consensus ◽  
Group Polarization ◽  
Normative Requirements

In social psychology the group polarization refers to the tendency for groups to make decisionsthat are more extreme than the initial inclinations of its members. This phenomenon constitutesa potential obstacle to positive outcomes attributed to deliberative debates. A deliberative debateis a particular kind of a group discussion tasked with fi nding group consensus on controversialissues. The idea of deliberation originates from the writings of John Rawls, Jürgen Habermas, AmyGutmann and Denis Thompson. Deliberative debate imposes numerous normative requirementson the communication, relationships among the disputants and their approach to the issue underdiscussion. These normative requirements make a big difference between deliberative debates andthe situations in which the phenomenon of polarization was observed. Thus, we presume that indeliberative debates conditions the phenomenon of group polarization may be limited.The paper investigates the following questions: would the normative conditions of deliberationlimit the occurrence of polarization in discussing groups? and What infl uence (if any) would thepolarization process have on the quality of group decision? In the light of the empirical data we concluded what follows: (1) In 50% of the analyzed casesof group discussion the phenomenon of group polarization was observed despite the normativeconditions of deliberation. (2) The occurrence of group polarization in some cases coincided withmaking the fi nal decisions which did not alter the initial preferences of the disputants (but did nottotally predestinated the fi nal outcome).

Moral Responsibility, Socially Embedded

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa Herzog
Keyword(s):  
Social Psychology ◽  
Moral Responsibility ◽  
Moral Agency ◽  
Human Behaviour ◽  
Shared Responsibility ◽  
The Face ◽  
Moral Theorizing ◽  
The Impact

This chapter asks whether we can hold on to the picture of the morally responsible subject as we knew it in the face of evidence from social psychology about the impact of contexts on human behaviour. Some theorists have taken this to present a major challenge to moral theorizing. However, the chapter argues that, while we should acknowledge the malleability of human behaviour, we should not give up the notion of responsible agency. Rather, we need to broaden our theoretical horizon in order to include individuals’ co-responsibility for the contexts in which they act. This argument is a general one, but it is of particular relevance for organizations: it is our shared responsibility to turn them into contexts in which moral agency is supported rather than undermined.

scholarly journals Relationships between Final Purchasers and Offerors in the Context of Their Perception by Final Purchasers

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (11) ◽  
pp. 3271
Author(s):  
Agnieszka Izabela Baruk
Keyword(s):  
Factor Analysis ◽  
Statistical Analysis ◽  
World Literature ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Survey Method ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Marketing Process ◽  
Research Gap

The aim of this article was to identify the role of good mutual relationships with offerors for final purchasers, as well as define the meaning of the perception of offerors in the scope of listening to purchasers’ opinions and profiting from purchasers’ readiness to cooperate for the specificities of the prosumeric activity. A deep analysis of the world literature was used to prepare the theoretical part of this paper. The results of this analysis confirm the existing cognitive gap and research gap regarding mentioned aspects, including energy market. Empirical studies were conducted to reduce identified gaps. The survey method was used to collect primary data. The collected data were subjected to quantitative analysis, during which statistical analysis methods and tests were applied (Pearson chi-square independence test, V-Cramer factor analysis, Kruskal–Wallis test (KW), and exploratory factor analysis). The results of the statistical analysis and testing allowed the three research hypotheses formulated to be checked. Between the significance of good relationships with offerors and their perception, a statistically significant dependence was identified for all groups of offerors. The perception of offerors was a feature differentiating respondents’ opinions about the significance of good relationships with offerors for the two following groups: producers and traders. Additionally, the perception of offerors was a feature differentiating forms of prosumeric activity of respondents only for three interpurchase behaviors. The results obtained have a visible cognitive and applicability value. They contribute to the theory of marketing, as well as possibly facilitating the formation of good mutual relationships between offerors (including offerors of energy) and final purchasers as key partners cooperating with offerors in the marketing process. The approach presented in this paper has not been studied and analyzed so far, either in theoretical or in practical terms. This fact confirms its originality and value.

scholarly journals A State-of-the-Art Review on Empirical Data Collection for External Governed Pedestrians Complex Movement

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaomeng Shi ◽  
Zhirui Ye ◽  
Nirajan Shiwakoti ◽  
Offer Grembek
Keyword(s):  
Data Collection ◽  
Empirical Data ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Movement Patterns ◽  
Simulation Models ◽  
Straight Line ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
Pedestrian Traffic ◽  
Random Flows ◽  
Complex Movement

Complex movement patterns of pedestrian traffic, ranging from unidirectional to multidirectional flows, are frequently observed in major public infrastructure such as transport hubs. These multidirectional movements can result in increased number of conflicts, thereby influencing the mobility and safety of pedestrian facilities. Therefore, empirical data collection on pedestrians’ complex movement has been on the rise in the past two decades. Although there are several reviews of mathematical simulation models for pedestrian traffic in the existing literature, a detailed review examining the challenges and opportunities on empirical studies on the pedestrians complex movements is limited in the literature. The overall aim of this study is to present a systematic review on the empirical data collection for uni- and multidirectional crowd complex movements. We first categorized the complex movements of pedestrian crowd into two general categories, namely, external governed movements and internal driven movements based on the interactions with the infrastructure and among pedestrians, respectively. Further, considering the hierarchy of movement complexity, we decomposed the externally governed movements of pedestrian traffic into several unique movement patterns including straight line, turning, egress and ingress, opposing, weaving, merging, diverging, and random flows. Analysis of the literature showed that empirical data were highly rich in straight line and egress flow while medium rich in turning, merging, weaving, and opposing flows, but poor in ingress, diverging, and random flows. We put emphasis on the need for the future global collaborative efforts on data sharing for the complex crowd movements.

scholarly journals Current Approach to the Study of Status Relations in Student Groups within the Framework of the School of Thought of the Department of Social Psychology at MSUPE

2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 59-71 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.Ye. Sachkova
Keyword(s):  
Social Psychology ◽  
Interpersonal Relationships ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Current Approach ◽  
Moscow Oblast ◽  
Social Psychological ◽  
Emotional Climate ◽  
Student Groups ◽  
Middle Status

The paper presents results of the verification of a new approach to the study of status relationships through the position of a middle status group member — the approach developed within the framework of A.V. Petrovsky’s theory of activity-mediated interpersonal relationships in groups and M.Yu. Kondratyev’s school of thought at the Department of Social Psychology (MSUPE). A series of empirical studies were carried out in educational organizations of various types in Moscow and Moscow oblast, with more than 1200 students participating as subjects. The paper reveals how the character of intragroup interactions, well-being and emotional climate, as well as the level of social psychological development in the group in general, are shaped by the system of relationships between the middle status students with their groupmates. The paper concludes with some considerations on the specifics of the role that the middle status student plays in his group’s activity and outlines further perspectives of the presented social psychological approach to the study of status relationships.

scholarly journals COVID-19 In United States: Statistical Analysis and Inferences From the Empirical Data

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nivedita Rethnakar
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Statistical Analysis ◽  
Statistical Inference ◽  
Empirical Data ◽  
Respiratory Diseases ◽  
Temporal Dynamics ◽  
The United States ◽  
Mortality Statistics ◽  
Race Ethnicity ◽  
The Impact

Abstract This paper investigates the mortality statistics of the COVID-19 pandemic from the United States perspective. Using empirical data analysis and statistical inference tools, we bring out several exciting and important aspects of the pandemic, otherwise hidden. Specific patterns seen in demo- graphics such as race/ethnicity and age are discussed both qualitatively and quantitatively. We also study the role played by factors such as population density. Connections between COVID-19 and other respiratory diseases are also covered in detail. The temporal dynamics of the COVID-19 outbreak and the impact of vaccines in controlling the pandemic are also looked at with suf- ficient rigor. It is hoped that statistical inference such as the ones gathered in this paper would be helpful for better scientific understanding, policy prepa- ration and thus adequately preparing, should a similar situation arise in the future.

scholarly journals Preprint of "Response Surface Analysis in Personality and Social Psychology: Checklist and Clarifications for the Case of Congruence Hypotheses"

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Humberg ◽  
Steffen Nestler ◽  
Mitja Back
Keyword(s):  
Social Psychology ◽  
Response Surface ◽  
Surface Analysis ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Response Surface Analysis ◽  
Psychological Effects ◽  
Outcome Variable ◽  
Congruence Effect ◽  
Social Psychological ◽  
Psychological Constructs

Response Surface Analysis (RSA) enables researchers to test complex psychological effects, for example, whether the congruence of two psychological constructs is associated with higher values in an outcome variable. RSA is increasingly applied in the personality and social psychological literature, but the validity of published results has been challenged by some persistent oversimplifications and misconceptions. Here, we describe the mathematical fundamentals required to interpret RSA results, and we provide a checklist for correctly identifying congruence effects. We clarify two prominent fallacies by showing that the test of a single RSA parameter cannot indicate a congruence effect, and when there is a congruence effect, RSA cannot indicate whether a predictor mismatch in one direction (e.g., overestimation of one’s intelligence) is better or worse than a mismatch in the other direction (underestimation). We hope that this contribution will further enhance the validity and strength of empirical studies that apply this powerful approach.Humberg, S., Nestler, S., & Back, M. D. (2019). Response Surface Analysis in Personality and Social Psychology: Checklist and Clarifications for the Case of Congruence Hypotheses. Social Psychological and Personality Science, 10(3), 409–419. doi:10.1177/1948550618757600The journal version of this article can be found at: http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1948550618757600

scholarly journals Barnkonventionens implementering i svensk lagstiftning och praktik – barns bästa och barns rätt att uttrycka sina åsikter vid vårdnadstvister

2020 ◽  
Vol 37 (3-4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Annika Rejmer ◽  
Ann-Sofie Bergman
Keyword(s):  
Empirical Data ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Children's Rights ◽  
Children’S Rights ◽  
Best Interests ◽  
Rights Of The Child ◽  
Custody Disputes ◽  
Good Contact

Implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child in Swedish legislationand practice – children’s best interests and children’s rights to express their viewsin custody disputes: The article examines the implementation of articles 3 and 12 of the UN Convention on the Rightsof the Child (CRC) in the parental code regulations on custody, residence and access and how theyare applied in practice. The best interests of the child are, according to the regulations of the parentalcode, the superior principle in handling custody disputes, which includes an examination ofthe risk of abuse, the child’s need for close and good contact with both parents and the child’s will.The results of conducted empirical studies show that articles 3 and 12 of the CRC have not beenimplemented in the parental code. Children lack an independent right to express their opinionin the handling of custody disputes. The article is based on empirical data from sources of law,custody cases, and interviews with parents in dispute.

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