Psychological Mechanisms Research Articles

The Effects of FOMO on Investment Behavior in the Stock Market

This study explores the impact of Fear of Missing Out (FOMO) on stock market investment behavior, focusing on how psychological and emotional factors influence investors' decision-making processes. The primary objective of the research is to investigate the relationship between FOMO and key behavioral trends, such as overtrading, speculative investing, and the formation of asset bubbles. A qualitative research approach was employed, utilizing a literature review of existing studies on behavioral finance, FOMO, and stock market dynamics. The findings indicate that FOMO significantly affects investors by amplifying emotional reactions to market trends, leading to irrational decisions that prioritize short-term gains over long-term financial stability. Social media and technology play a critical role in amplifying FOMO, creating herd behavior that contributes to market volatility and speculative bubbles, as seen in phenomena like "meme stocks." The study also reveals that younger investors are more susceptible to FOMO, largely due to their reliance on social media for investment advice. The results suggest that enhancing financial literacy and promoting disciplined, long-term investment strategies are essential for mitigating the negative effects of FOMO. Regulatory interventions targeting misinformation on digital platforms may also help reduce the prevalence of FOMO-driven investment behavior. Future research should further investigate the psychological mechanisms behind FOMO and explore the long-term sustainability of FOMO-driven market practices.

“Take no risk!”: Immediate and delayed backfire-effect of risk-reducing messages in retailers' return and exchange policies

While much research highlights the positive effects of appropriate risk framing in online retail advertising, this study reveals its potential adverse impact on consumer purchase decisions, particularly when communicating retailers' return and exchange policies. We conducted four studies, including three distinct field experiments in partnership with a major online retailer, to explore immediate and deferred consumer behaviors - advertising engagement and actual purchases - across over 452,632 consumers, and one controlled online experiment to test the proposed hypotheses. Studies 1a and 1b examined the short-term adverse effects of reassuring risk framing on immediate advertising engagement, and Study 2 assessed its impact on delayed decisions (actual purchase). Study 3 provided insights into the underlying psychological mechanisms using the persuasion knowledge theory. Our findings indicate that framing messages such as “take no risk” can diminish advertising engagement and actual purchasing behavior, because of greater persuasion knowledge. Advertisers are advised to carefully evaluate the use of risk-reducing messages in their communication to avoid unintended negative impacts on both advertising engagement and actual purchase behavior. This study enriches the advertising literature by uncovering the backfiring effects of reassuring risk-reducing framing.

The psychological mechanism of basic psychological need frustration affecting job burnout: a qualitative study from China.

Job burnout is a common issue in most professions, and it can have adverse effects on employees, their families, clients, and organizations. It is essential to address and resolve job burnout syndrome. More research is needed to understand the underlying psychological mechanisms involved in job burnout. This study introduces the concept of primary psychological need frustration to explore its impact on the psychological processes involved in job burnout. This study adopted a qualitative research methodology based on purposive sampling and convenience sampling principles. Eight grassroots senior counselors with over 13 years of teaching experience at a Chinese university were selected as the study cases. The data were gathered through semi-structured interviews and analyzed thoroughly via cluster analysis, which involved examining the text data word by word, sentence by sentence, line by line, and fragment by fragment. NVivo 11 software was used to register and code the text data. The study revealed that the subjects experienced high levels of frustration with their basic psychological needs. This frustration was evident in the coexistence of negative job characteristics and a lack of autonomy, a hostile professional environment and a lack of competence, and the negative behavior of others and relationship frustration. The study also revealed that the four types of primary psychological need frustration were strongly linked to job burnout: A lack of control motivation or motivation, the pursuit of external goals, negative behavior patterns, and the causal orientation of a controlled style. These factors positively predicted various dimensions of job burnout and positively affected the frustration of basic psychological needs. This study effectively explains the psychological process behind why individuals experience severe job burnout in a controlled organizational environment due to frustration with basic psychological needs. This study also highlights the internal causal relationship between primary psychological needs, frustration, and job burnout. This insight can help employees and organizations prevent and detect early job burnout syndrome and enhance employees' occupational well-being and organizational vitality.

Social Exclusion and Consumer Preference for Crowded Shopping Environments: The Moderating Role of Time Perspective

Introduction: This study investigates how social exclusion influences consumer preferences for crowded shopping environments and examines the moderating role of time perspective. Specifically, it explores the mediating role of social connectedness and how present hedonism and fatalism impact these preferences.Methods: Three experimental studies tested the hypotheses. Participants were randomly assigned to social exclusion or inclusion conditions, and their preferences for crowded environments were measured. Time perspective (present hedonism and fatalism) and social connectedness were also assessed.Results: Results show that socially excluded consumers prefer crowded environments to fulfill their social connectedness needs. Present hedonism intensifies this preference, while present fatalism diminishes it. The findings demonstrate the significant role of social exclusion and time perspective in shaping consumer behavior.Practical Implications: These findings provide actionable strategies for retailers to design environments that address the psychological needs of socially excluded consumers. Retailers can use these insights to create targeted marketing strategies, especially in a post-pandemic context, where social interactions are evolving.Originality/Value: This study offers new insights into the psychological mechanisms behind consumer behavior in response to social exclusion. By integrating Belongingness Theory and Time Perspective Theory, it deepens the understanding of how social exclusion drives consumer preferences for crowded environments, highlighting the moderating effects of present hedonism and fatalism

Eye-Tracking Evidence for the SNARC Effect: Unveiling Attentional Stages

The Spatial Numerical Association of Response Codes (SNARC) effect, which involves the conjunction of spatial and numerical response coding, was initially identified through reaction time experiments involving numerical stimuli. Research has revealed a common tendency among individuals to associate smaller numbers with the left side and larger numbers with the right side. Furthermore, scholars have identified additional dimensions, such as the “up-down” and “near-far” associations, that contribute to the complexity of the SNARC effect. However, the universality of the SNARC effect and the underlying psychological and physiological mechanisms continue to be a topic of debate within the academic community. Various studies have proposed a range of interpretations and understandings of this effect. The present study delves into the cognitive mechanisms of the SNARC effect, employing eye-tracking technology to objectively quantify participants’ responses. Utilizing the parity judgment task, a method frequently employed in SNARC effect research, in conjunction with eye-tracking, participants were instructed to judge the parity of numerical stimuli while directing their gaze to the left or right, and above or below the numbers as per the experimental requirements. Colored blocks were positioned around the numbers to serve as visual anchors, indicating the spatial directions of left/right and top/down. Data analysis revealed that when smaller numbers (1-4) were presented, participants exhibited a tendency to focus on the left color block adjacent to the number, characterized by a higher Total Fixation Duration (TFD) and a shorter Time to First Fixation (TFF). In contrast, when larger numbers (6-9) appeared, participants were more likely to focus on the right color block, indicating the presence of a SNARC effect in the horizontal dimension. However, no significant effect was observed in the vertical dimension. Additionally, this study innovatively employed a blank page in conjunction with a test page to differentiate between the early and late stages of participants’ attentional processing. The examination of TFF and TFD data uncovered a two-stage processing mechanism associated with the SNARC effect. This experimental approach and methodological framework offer novel perspectives that contribute to the advancement of research in this domain.

High-performance human resource practices, organizational identification and employee commitment: the moderating role of organizational culture.

Drawing on social exchange and social identity theories, this study examines the mediating role of organizational identification on the relationship between high-performance human resource practices (HPHRPs) and employee commitment. The study further examines the moderating role of organizational culture in this mediated relationship. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 340 employees from state-owned enterprises in China, and SPSS was used to test the hypothesized relationships. The results indicate that organizational identification acts as a mediator of the relationship between HPHRPs and employee commitment. Additionally, organizational culture moderates the strength of this mediated relationship, affecting the degree to which HPHRPs foster commitment. This study contributes to the literature by integrating social exchange and social identity theories to explain the psychological mechanisms underlying the employee-organization relationship. It also extends the understanding of how organizational identification mediates the link between HPHRPs and commitment, and how organizational culture moderates these effects, providing a more comprehensive understanding of these interrelated dynamics in organizational settings.

Fluctuating emotional states before and during child sexual abuse and rape: a file review analysis of males in mandated care in The Netherlands

Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine emotional states preceding and during sexual crimes in a Dutch sample of adult male patients who were admitted to mandated clinical care. Design/methodology/approach Emotional states preceding child sexual abuse (CSA) (n = 63) and rape against adults (n = 60) were compared using the Mode Observation Scale. Findings CSA and rape were equally preceded by feelings of vulnerability, undifferentiated anger and loneliness and characterised by callous unemotionality. Emotional manipulation was more dominant in the events leading up to CSA, whereas an exaggerated sense of self-worth was more dominant in the event preceding rape. Substance-related detachment was more common preceding rape but was equally common during both types of crimes. Controlled anger was more common in rape. Practical implications CSA and rape crimes are predominantly characterised by similar emotional states of persons who were admitted to mandated clinical care. This informs the development of more effective therapeutic interventions and support services tailored to the emotional profiles of patients, potentially improving rehabilitation or treatment outcomes. Scientifically, the results of this study provide a compelling foundation for further research into the psychological mechanisms underpinning sexual violence. Originality/value While previous research has often focused on these crimes in isolation, this study bridges a critical gap by examining the emotional commonalities between them. This study challenges the conventional understanding that treats these forms of sexual violence as entirely distinct, proposing instead that they may share underlying emotional dynamics.

Sustainable leadership: empowering green organizational citizenship behaviour through employee green value in the Indian healthcare sector

Purpose Leadership is crucial for promoting employees’ environmental behaviour, essential for implementing sustainability initiatives. Academics and practitioners emphasize the need for integrated top-to-bottom actions to address environmental issues effectively. Thus, the purpose of this study is to investigate how Environment-Specific Servant Leadership (ESSL), via Employee Green Value (EGV), promotes Green Organizational Citizenship Behaviour (GOCB). Design/methodology/approach The present study adopted a quantitative cross-sectional approach. Additionally, a total of 333 data points were collected from employees working in various hospitals in Ranchi, India. The data and hypothesized relationships were analysed using PLS-SEM with SmartPLS 4.0 software. Findings The present results indicate that ESSL has a notable direct effect on employees’ GOCB. Moreover, EGV was identified as a partial mediator in the relationship between ESSL and GOCB. Practical implications The findings imply that leaders who prioritize sustainability and exhibit environmentally responsible behaviour, along with employees who value and prioritize green initiatives, can create a workplace that value pro-environmental practices. In this workplace employees are also likely to demonstrate green organizational citizenship behaviour, therefore promoting sustainable practices and outcomes. Originality/value This study provides valuable insight into the individual psychological mechanisms that drive voluntary participation in environmental protection and conservation efforts. Furthermore, the study also highlighted the relationship between ESSL, EGV and GOCB in terms of their work environment as well as highlighting the potential for organizations to create a more sustainable and socially responsible workplace.

Longitudinal examination of perceived cultural distance, psychological and sociocultural adaptation: A study of postgraduate student adaptation in Shanghai

Since the conclusion of the pandemic, scholars are prompted to reexamine the connection between perceived cultural distance and the cultural adaptation process. However, research in this realm remains limited, especially concerning the intercultural contact by students who move to new cultures for school. Employing a longitudinal design, our study explored how perceived cultural distance predict sociocultural and psychological adaptation in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. Drawing from the outcomes of a cross-lagged model involving 129 Chinese postgraduate students, we observed that perceived cultural distance at Time 2 negatively predicted sociocultural and psychological adaptation at Time 3, indicating greater perceived cultural distance with poorer sociocultural and psychological adaptation at Time 3. Remarkably, our findings supported the perceived cultural distance hypothesis, namely a time-lagged effect between perceived cultural distance and acculturation, a connection that only occurred after COVID restrictions ended. The findings carry significant implications for acculturation during the pandemic period and provide more longitudinal evidence supporting the theory of acculturation.

SOCIAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL SUPPORT IN VETERAN DEVELOPMENT CENTERS: PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE

Institutions of higher education actively participate in the implementation of the state veteran policy. The article characterizes the practical experience of the Center for Veteran Development in providing first-level psychological assistance. Research methods applied: analysis of the activities of the Center for Veteran Development of Pavlo Tychyna Uman State Pedagogical University, generalization of the main forms of social and psychological support for veterans and their family members; study of the official website of the institution of higher education. The main form of socio-psychological support for veterans and veterans is Veteran Development Centers. The article`s purpose is to characterize the practical experience of the Center for Veteran Development in providing first-level psychological assistance. Research methods: analysis of the activities of the Center for Veteran Development of Pavlo Tychyna Uman State Pedagogical University, generalization of the main forms of social and psychological support for veterans and their family members; study of the official website of the institution of higher education. Since 2023, such a center has been created based on Pavlo Tychyna Uman State Pedagogical University. The university staff is working on creating a barrier-free space and accessible services. Among the forms of work of the center: individual psychological counseling is provided; group therapeutic classes, psychoeducation, and information sessions are practiced; rehabilitation programs are being developed; measures to support families are in demand; relaxation techniques and therapies are effective; individual work on social and psychological adaptation is carried out; training work is popular. Volunteer activities are systematically carried out by specialists and volunteers of the Center. It is possible to study for veterans at the university, as well as to study a foreign language.

Pavlovian impatience: The anticipation of immediate rewards increases approach behaviour.

People often exhibit intertemporal impatience by choosing immediate small over delayed larger rewards, which has been implicated across maladaptive behaviours and mental health symptoms. In this preregistered study, we tested the role of an intertemporal Pavlovian bias as possible psychological mechanism driving the temptation posed by immediate rewards. Concretely, we hypothesized that the anticipation of immediate rewards (compared with preference-matched delayed rewards) enhances goal-directed approach behaviour but interferes with goal-directed inhibition. Such a mechanism could contribute to the difficulty to inhibit ourselves in the face of immediate rewards (e.g., a drug), at the cost of long-term (e.g., health) goals. A sample of 184 participants completed a newly developed reinforcement learning go/no-go task with four trial types: Go to win immediate reward; Go to win delayed reward; No-go to win immediate reward; and No-go to win delayed reward trials. Go responding was increased in trials in which an immediate reward was available compared with trials in which a preference-matched delayed reward was available. Computational models showed that on average, this behavioural pattern was best captured by a cue-response bias reflecting a stronger elicitation of go responses upon presentation of an immediate (versus delayed) reward cue. The results of this study support the role of an intertemporal Pavlovian bias as a psychological mechanism contributing to impatient intertemporal choice.

Peer support in paediatrics: A literature review.

Creating an overview of the existing literature about peer support in paediatrics, with a focus on children with chronic diseases. An online search was conducted in MEDLINE and Web of Science. English, Dutch or French articles published between 1 January 2000 and 10 May 2023 were included, based on title and abstract. In this review, 47 articles were included, identifying following themes: Health-Related Quality of Life (n = 8), peer support for parents/siblings (n = 6), social environment (n = 2), and peer support programme for children (n = 31) subdivided in: general concept (n = 13), online (n = 11), camps (n = 6), and development of a peer support programme (n = 1). Peer support aims to improve disease-related knowledge, coping, and management of the disease, as well as creating a positive mindset and decreasing the disease burden. There is no consensus regarding which peer group design was superior. Peer groups aim to increase knowledge and psychological adaptation, and decrease physical symptoms and side effects. It is desired to start the peer mentor programme within 1 year after diagnosis or during a critical incident. Further investigation needs to determine the optimal age to start these groups and the format (online or in-person). Communication between mentors and their mentees was crucial in the succeeding of the programme, as well as creating a safe environment to share experiences. Even though research is still needed concerning peer-to-peer support for children, there is already a lot known about similar programmes for parents of children with chronic diseases.

Importance of Sports Activity for the Better Mental Health of the Indian Student

Physical activity, beyond its well-documented benefits for physical health, plays a crucial role in enhancing mental well-being. Research suggests that individuals with sedentary lifestyles exhibit higher morbidity rates and increased healthcare expenditures. In response to these challenges, exercise therapy is often recommended as an effective intervention for maintaining mental health. Empirical studies have consistently established a positive connotation between physical activity and various mental health outcomes. Notably, nonclinical investigations highlight that regular exercise significantly enhances self-concept and body image. This review aims to summarize current physiological and psychological mechanisms by which exercise contributes to mental well-being. One of the primary physiological pathways involved is the regulation of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, which plays a serious role in stress reply. While exercise has been shown to alleviate indications of depression and anxiety, its effects appear to be more pronounced in clinical populations than in the general public. Multiple theoretical models have been projected to explicate the relationship between physical fitness and mental health.

A volitional account of aesthetic experience.

Aesthetic experience is an altered state of consciousness characterized by a detached absorption in an aesthetic object; it is a pleasant-sometimes ecstatic-liberation from the self and its agenda. I briefly review perceptual-cognitive and affective approaches used by psychologists to understand the phenomenon and suggest the need for a volitional perspective. To illustrate the nature and scope of aesthetic experience, I discuss nine varieties, elicited by different qualities in objects and evoking distinctive responses in perceivers. Over centuries, aesthetic devices have been developed that induce the aesthetic state by manipulating such psychological mechanisms as attention, appraisal, and empathy. I propose explanations for how several important devices operate, and why they are particularly effective in individuals high in the personality trait of Openness to Experience.

Improvement in the psychological resilience of rural left-behind children: The influence of social services from 15 social organisations

This study explores improvements in psychological resilience among rural left-behind children in China through social services provided by social organisations. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with leaders and social workers from 15 social organisations. The results revealed that left-behind children’s academic adaptation improved significantly. However, there were cases of failure to enhance physiological and psychological adaptation. This study provides guidelines for policymakers to formulate targeted support policies, for social organisations to assess their service quality and for service providers to change their role to collaborators, thereby jointly helping rural left-behind children improve their psychological resilience.

Empirical study on the psychological mechanism of consumers in the context of live streaming seafood sales: evidence from China

The advent of the 5G era signifies China’s official entry into the digital economy. This technological shift has attracted countless merchants to the market via e-commerce platforms, seeking to capitalize on new opportunities. Concurrently, it offers a novel avenue for expanding seafood sales channels in China. The interactive and intuitive nature of e-commerce live streaming has subtly but significantly influenced and shaped consumers’ purchasing behaviors. In light of this, this study, based on 330 valid survey responses and grounded in the theories of perceived value and consumer trust, explores the psychological mechanisms affecting consumers in the context of e-commerce live streaming for aquatic products. The findings reveal that: (1) Consumer trust positively impacts purchase intention in the context of live-streamed seafood e-commerce. (2) Perceived entertainment value positively influences consumer purchase intention. (3) Perceived utilitarian value also positively influences consumer purchase intention. This paper contributes theoretically by broadening the application of perceived value theory and enhancing the understanding of consumer behavior concerning seafood. Additionally, it may offer practical insights into the expansion of seafood sales channels and market scale in other countries and regions.

Social Anxiety in Adolescents: An Analysis of the Psychological Influence Mechanism of Social Media Use

With the rapid progress of Internet technology, social media has become an indispensable part of the daily life of contemporary teenagers, which has a profound impact on their social habits, information acquisition methods and psychological development tracks. This paper explores the psychological mechanism of social anxiety in adolescents using social media, aiming to reveal how social media exerts a profound influence on social behavior, psychological cognition and emotional state of adolescents through various complex ways.The features of social media, such as convenience, interaction, anonymity and visualization, together constitute the basic environment for teenagers to use social media. They have many impacts on teenagers, including positive aspects such as the expansion of social circle, the convenience of information acquisition and the realization of self-expression, and may also bring negative impacts, especially social anxiety. This paper makes an in-depth analysis from multiple dimensions. On the one hand, the phenomenon of social comparison on social media is widespread, and teenagers are prone to inappropriate self-evaluation and feelings of inferiority when browsing the life fragments carefully selected and displayed by others, which will trigger social anxiety. On the other hand, there is also the ever-present threat of cyberbullying and harassment, and these negative experiences pose a serious threat to adolescents' mental health and exacerbate their symptoms of social anxiety. In addition, the increase of information overload and cognitive burden, addiction and dependence on social media are also important factors leading to social anxiety among adolescents. From the family, school and social level, it is necessary to strengthen the education and guidance of young people, help them establish the correct concept of social media use, set a reasonable time to use, encourage physical social activities, and cultivate self-esteem and self-confidence. At the same time, for adolescents with social anxiety symptoms, professional psychological help should be sought in time to alleviate their anxiety and promote their mental health development.

A preliminary examination of teachers’ and parents’ perspective on sexually inclusive primary education: The role of homophobic prejudice and moral disengagement

Sexually inclusive primary education, namely a school environment that uses inclusive practices toward sexual minorities contributes to students’ psychological and learning adaptation. Therefore, it is essential primary school stakeholders’ perspective on sexually inclusive education to be explored, since this could facilitate the effective implementation of related prevention/awareness programs targeted at students. Nevertheless, teachers’ and parents’ related perspective, as main school stakeholders, as well as the predictive value of their homophobic prejudice and moral disengagement remain an under-investigated research field. The present study examined comparatively teachers’ and parents’ perspective on sexually inclusive primary education. Furthermore, the predictive role of homophobic prejudice and moral disengagement was investigated for each subgroup. Overall, 249 primary school teachers (78% women) of the fifth and sixth grades from randomly selected Greek public schools and 268 parents (81% mothers) of children who attended the above grades of the participating schools completed an online self-reported questionnaire on the variables involved. In general, participants expressed a relatively conservative perspective on sexually inclusive primary education, with teachers’ perspective being less inclusive than that of the parents. Teachers’ related perspective was predicted negatively mainly by homophobic prejudice and secondarily by moral disengagement. Parents’ corresponding perspective was predicted negatively only by moral disengagement. Despite the differentiated perspective between the two subgroups, the findings imply that both teachers and parents need to attend prevention/awareness actions regarding students’ sexual diversity and their school inclusion. Within these actions, differentiated experiential activities could be implemented for teachers and parents to combat homophobic prejudice and/or moral disengagement.

The effects of the intrapersonal intelligence of childcare teachers on respect for children’s rights: mediating effects of positive psychological capital and psychological burnout

The purpose of this study is to examine the mediating effects of positive psychological capital and psychological burnout in the relationship between intrapersonal intelligence and respect for children’s rights among childcare teachers. This study explores the psychological mechanisms of childcare teachers that help to strengthen children’s rights in childcare centers. A survey of childcare teachers was conducted in Gyeonggi-do Province in Korea. Out of 560 copies of the questionnaire that were distributed, 502 were returned, and 465 were used for the analysis after questionnaires with incomplete responses were excluded. The collected data were analyzed using PROCESS macro version 4.0 to examine whether positive psychological capital and psychological burnout mediated the relationship between intrapersonal intelligence and respect for children’s rights. The results of this study showed close relationships among all variables. The mediation analysis showed that positive psychological capital and psychological burnout had sequential mediating effects in the relationship between intrapersonal intelligence and respect for children’s rights. Childcare teachers first must increase their positive psychological capital to protect and respect children’s rights. Also, educational programs tailored for childcare teachers must be developed for better psychological well-being to promote respect for children’s rights in the classroom.

What drives social shopping in social commerce platform? The effects of affordance, self-congruity and functional-congruity

PurposeSocial group system and social tagging system, which leverage the psychological mechanisms underlying group influence and social tags to drive consumer behaviors, have been prevalent in the social commerce platform. However, limited studies have examined how the affordances of social group system and social tagging system influence consumers’ social shopping behavior. The purpose of this study is to examine the formation of social shopping behavior in the social commerce platform.Design/methodology/approachCombining affordance theory with dual-congruity theory, we develop a model to examine how the affordances of social group system and social tagging system influence consumers’ social shopping behavior through the underlying self-congruity and functional-congruity processes. We empirically validate the research model using a multimethod approach, including an instrument development study and a field survey study.FindingsOur empirical findings show that social support positively influences relational identity, while it has a nonsignificant effect on social identity. Social interactivity positively influences relational identity and social identity. Furthermore, social tagging quality and social endorser credibility positively affect perceived diagnosticity and perceived serendipity. Finally, relational identity, social identity, perceived diagnosticity and perceived serendipity collectively determine consumers’ social shopping intention.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the theoretical understanding of social shopping in social commerce and offers practical implications for designing an effective social group system and social tagging system to boost product sales.