The Effect of the Number and Identification of Recipients on Organ-Donation Decisions.

Inbal Harel,Tehila Kogut

doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.794422

Abstract

We examined how presentations of organ donation cases in the media may affect people’s decisions about organ donation issues. Specifically, we focused on the combined effect of the information about the number of recipients saved by the organs of one deceased person (one vs. four) and the identifiability of the donor and the recipient(s) in organ donation descriptions, on people’s willingness to donate the organs of a deceased relative. Results suggest that reading about more people who were saved by the organs of a deceased donor does not increase willingness to donate. Replicating earlier research, we found that reading about a case of organ donation involving an identified deceased donor, deceased willingness to donate. However, this effect was attenuated when participants read about more recipients who were saved by the donation. Importantly, the presentation that prompted the greatest willingness to donate a deceased relative’s organs was the one that featured an unidentified donor and only one identified recipient. Finally, an explorative investigation into participants’ subconscious thoughts of death following the organ donation story revealed that identifying a deceased organ donor prompts more thoughts of death in the perceiver (regardless of the number of recipients).

Highlights

“One donor can save eight lives!” This phrase is often used in appeals to members of the public to sign a commitment to donate their organs after death, or to donate the organs of a deceased relative
How might these ads and stories affect readers? In a previous study (Harel et al, 2017), we demonstrated that when participants read about organ donation cases that include identifying information about the recipient whose life was saved as a result, it increased their willingness to commit to organ donation themselves, and their willingness to donate (WTD) the organs of a deceased relative
Answering these two questions has the potential to make both a theoretical and a practical contribution. This investigation will help in understanding the role played by the number of people saved by organ donation, in organ donation decisions, and to learn about the underlying mechanism

Summary

Introduction

“One donor can save eight lives!” This phrase is often used in appeals to members of the public to sign a commitment to donate their organs after death, or to donate the organs of a deceased relative. We take one step further in investigating the impact of the presentation of organ donation cases in the media on people’s WTD organs, by examining the role played by the number of recipients saved by the organs of one deceased person, and whether learning about more recipients who were saved as a result reduces thoughts of death, thereby increasing support for organ donation. We sought to examine the combined effect of the number of recipients saved by the organs of one deceased person and the identifiability of the donor and the recipient[s] in people’s decisions about organ donation issues Answering these two questions has the potential to make both a theoretical and a practical contribution. When needy individuals are perceived in a negative light— such as when they are perceived responsible for their plight (Kogut, 2011)—identifying information about them may increase feelings of anger and blame toward them, reducing willingness to help

Methods

Results

Conclusion