Abstract: A recent adversarial collaboration integrated dimensions proposed in five major theories of social evaluation into two overarching dimensions: Horizontal and Vertical. This paper examines the convergence in how evaluative dimensions have been operationalized for each model to determine if they address the same constructs. Across various coding strategies and using two similarity indexes, we found robust evidence of low convergence in the traits used to operationalize dimensions assumed to represent the same constructs. These results suggest that the integration proposed by the adversarial collaboration might be limited, as it is unclear whether dimensions within the Horizontal and Vertical domains correspond to the same constructs. We discuss the theoretical and methodological implications and propose recommendations for refining construct operationalization.

Abstract: World Values Survey respondents from East Asia (China and Japan) viewed themselves as less similar to their spouses on a variety of attitude domains, compared to respondents from Western and other non-Western cultures. Mediational analyses showed significant indirect effects from the East Asian variable through attitude dissimilarity to lower homelife satisfaction. In all regions, similarity with one’s spouse predicted homelife satisfaction. Unexpectedly, it was a relatively weaker predictor for Western European couples (vs. elsewhere). One puzzle is whether shared attitudes (a) are so important for Westerners that they self-select into relationships where remaining discrepancies are trivial or (b) are so unimportant for Westerners, who needlessly sort themselves on this basis.

Abstract: The current study investigated how a partner falling short of the desired standard may act as a mediator in the association between attachment orientations and the strategies people use to change qualities of their partners (termed partner regulation). The proposed mediation model was tested on a large sample ( N = 965) recruited from the community. The results revealed that for attachment anxiety, evaluating a partner as falling short of the ideal standards of warmth and status mediated associations with negative and positive regulation strategies. For attachment avoidance, evaluating a partner as falling short of ideal standards of attractiveness and status mediated associations with negative and positive regulation strategies.

Abstract: When faced with a choice between two ratios, some people prefer the option with the larger numerator instead of the larger ratio. In this study, participants read texts containing two options involving ratios, indicated their preference between those options, and recalled the texts. Using the serial reproduction method, the recall protocols were then given to other participants to read, judge, and recall. Results show that some people’s representations of the problem are distorted, favoring the option with the largest numerator; these distortions are associated with increased ratio bias and are amplified as information is socially transmitted. Finally, this social amplification progressively increases the ratio bias. These results show how small biases can grow larger when information is socially transmitted.

Abstract: The self-centrality principle holds that contemplative practices activate self-salience, encouraging moral self-enhancement, rather than the expected effect of acceptance hypothesized by the ego-quieting principle ( Gebauer et al., 2018 ). However, meditation may favor ego-quieting by inhibiting the disposition to judge and/or react to defend more equanimously a self that feels threatened ( Brown et al., 2007 ). In this study, we propose that meditation helps to reduce behaviors based on self-interest by limiting the defensive sense of the ego when the self is salient. We carry out three experimental studies to test this proposal. The first one tests the effect of meditation on a salient self with a proximal threat to their physical survival ( N = 400). The second study tests the effect of meditation in the case of distal defensiveness in a salient self whose physical survival is threatened ( N = 200). The third study evaluates the effect of proximal defensiveness when the integrity of the self-concept of the salient self is threatened ( N = 200). Our results provide evidence that practicing meditation quiets the ego, or tends to do so, when attention is focused on a self-threatened by a context based on a thought.

Abstract: Many societies are becoming more economically unequal, and some people tend to be in favor of higher levels of economic inequality than others do. Traditionally, agency has been associated with high-status and high-power groups. In this research, we examined whether participants’ agency led them to think there should be higher levels of economic inequality. In Study 1 ( N = 191), we used a correlational design and found that participants’ agency is associated with higher levels of ideal economic inequality. In Study 2 ( N = 204), using an experimental design, we revealed that priming agency (vs. communion) leads to higher levels of ideal economic inequality. These findings extend prior evidence on the psychological effects of agency and illustrate the connection between agency and the ideal levels of economic inequality.

Abstract: In 2020, the Division of Social Psychology of the German Psychological Society (DGPs) published 11 methodological recommendations for improving the quality, replicability, and transparency of social psychological research. We evaluate these recommendations in a quantitative and qualitative survey conducted with members of the division ( N = 54). Most – but not all – recommendations are well-known and understood by these members of the division. For 73% of the recommendations, researchers indicated that they tend to apply them in their research. Perceived behavioral control was the strongest predictor of adherence and was generally high (82%). In the open comments, challenges and suggestions for improvement were expressed. Overall, the implementation of the recommendations progresses and respective norms emerge, but substantial challenges remain to be solved requiring collective efforts.

Abstract: Three studies examined whether people feel better when self-excluding from group conversations about negative, rather than positive, information and whether people feel worse when included in group conversations about negative, rather than positive, information. Participants ( N = 665) completed a retrospective recall (Study 1) and imagined scenarios (Studies 2 and 3). Participants generally reported feeling worse when they were included in groups discussing negative, rather than positive, information. They also reported feeling better when they self-excluded from groups discussing negative, rather than positive, information, particularly negative gossip. Negative gossip also led participants to have a high desire to self-exclude from the group, and this was mediated by mood. These findings suggest there are certain circumstances where people prefer to self-exclude from groups.