Social Validity Research Articles

FOMO, Social Validation and Impulse Buying in Live Streaming E-Commerce

Due to extreme marketing exposure, live streaming and e-commerce are now being merged as a unique marketing platform. Recently, some studies have identified how live streaming has increased consumer impulse purchase behaviour. They found FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) is the primary factor that drives this behaviour. However, despite live streaming being a social media phenomenon, social validation was overlooked by many authors as an organism. This study conducted a primary survey among 467 Chinese participants within an empirical design setting. A structural equation model reveals that, apart from FOMO, social validation is also a significant factor that drives impulse purchase behaviour. Some stimuli, such as visual appeal, price, and product varieties, were also tested. FOMO and social validation were found to mediate these stimuli. Overall, impulse purchase behaviour in live streaming is a combined phenomenon of FOMO and social validation.

The Effects of the Pegword Method on the Multiplication Skills of Students with Math Difficulties

Abstract This single-case study assessed the effectiveness of a mnemonic pegword strategy designed to enhance the multiplication fact fluency of three 6th-grade students who demonstrated persistent learning difficulties in mathematics. A nonconcurrent multiple baseline across subjects design was utilized, incorporating 3–5 baseline sessions followed by 10–12 intervention sessions. The results indicated a noticeable, gradual improvement in the learners' ability to recall multiplication facts involving two-digit numbers quickly and accurately. Interviews conducted with the participants to assess the social validity of this approach revealed agreement and enthusiasm for the continued use of the strategy. Although acknowledging certain limitations inherent in this research, these results support the continued use of this intervention to aid students who struggle with basic multiplication. Further investigations are warranted to determine the generalizability of these findings and to address the study’s inherent limitations.

Analysis of Discounts in Shopeepay Transactions: Perspective of Islamic Law and Sociology of Law

The development of digital technology has driven changes in economic transactions, including the increasing use of digital wallets such as shopeepay. Shopeepay offers ease of transactions as well as various promos such as discounts and cashback that attract consumers. However, from the perspective of Islamic law, there is a debate about the validity of this transaction, especially related to the element of riba in the profits obtained by users. In addition, from the perspective of legal sociology, the use of shopeepay reflects how society navigates Islamic legal norms in modern economic practices. This research uses a descriptive qualitative method with a legal sociology approach. Data is collected through literature studies by analyzing relevant literature, including journals, books, and articles. The analysis was carried out by identifying people’s behavior patterns in the use of shopeepay as well as the influence of social norms and economic interests on compliance with Islamic law. Promos and incentives provided by shopeepay can be categorized as riba nasi’ah because they come from funds saved by users. Despite this, many people continue to use shopeepay because of its economic benefits, showing that economic interests are often more dominant than compliance with Islamic law. Therefore, stricter supervision from regulators and public education regarding digital transactions in accordance with sharia principles is needed.

Exploring the impact of social influence on parents’ intention to use institutional childcare: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundChina is actively responding to low birth rates by developing childcare institutions to alleviate the parenting pressures on families. However, despite strong childcare demand, the enrollment rate remains low. Few studies have explored the role of social influence in parents' childcare decisions. Therefore, this study will construct a research model to explore the mechanisms of social influence on parents' intentions to use childcare institutions.MethodsThis study used parents of infants and toddlers in mainland China as the study population. Questionnaires were collected through electronic surveys created on a professional website, with 554 responses gathered through purposive sampling. The data were analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) and Importance-Performance Map Analysis (IPMA).ResultsThe results indicate that perceived benefits are the significant driving variable for parents' intention to use childcare institutions, while price sensitivity and perceived risk are significant barriers. Normative influence and perceived childcare policy significantly affect perceived benefits and price sensitivity, while informational influence has a significant positive effect on perceived risk. Additionally, the Importance-Performance Map Analysis (IPMA) shows that improvements should focus more on price sensitivity given the current low performance.ConclusionsThese findings provide insights for childcare policymakers and institutional childcare managers and will generate a management basis for developing China’s childcare service industry.

'"Health" Is Just One Piece in the Puzzle of Wellbeing': Shifting From Preventing Health Deterioration to Improving Wellbeing in a Participatory Action Research Project With Care-Experienced Older People.

Prevention of health deterioration is a key policy objective in Sweden informed by active and healthy ageing initiatives. However, the perspectives of older people with mobility and health limitations on current prevention initiatives are seldom gained meaning these initiatives may fail to align to with the priorities of people whose health has ostensibly already deteriorated. We aimed to explore older care-experienced people's perspectives on the topic of health deterioration prevention and highlight aspects that they think are important to prioritise. Eight older people with experience in giving or receiving formal or informal care were involved as lay co-researchers in a participatory action research project that involved recruiting 11 further older informants to participate in peer interviews or complete a logbook. In a series of 13, 2-h workshops held over 1 year, we undertook data generation, training, reflection and analytic activities inspired by framework analysis. The lay co-researchers found the topic of health deterioration to be negatively and narrowly focussed opting instead to pursue a focus on articulating aspects, or puzzle pieces, that influence the improvement of wellbeing. Six influential puzzle pieces (stigma, digitalisation, services, losses, meaning and interactions) were regarded as important to prioritise which together illustrated that wellbeing is continually shaped in an interplay with dominant, but manipulable, social norms. This study highlights how the language of active and healthy ageing, which pervades policy and practice, is imbued with ageist and ableist subtexts that can influence older people's wellbeing and lead to exclusionary experiences in society. We highlight wider societal trends, particularly digitalisation and effectivisation, whose negative impact on older people's wellbeing could be mitigated through inclusive co-design and resistance to normative influences. This project was initiated in dialogue with stakeholder representatives from pensioner organisations in a larger scale participatory action research project. The care-experienced lay co-researchers collaborated in all phases of this project-gaining funding, formulating research questions, planning the study design, generating data in peer interviews, analysing and interpreting data, disseminating findings, prioritising future research and co-authoring articles.

"Listening to understand," exploring postpartum women's perceptions of their social networks and social support in relation to their health behaviors and weight: A qualitative exploratory study.

Postpartum is a critical period to interrupt weight gain across the lifespan, decrease weight-related risk in future pregnancies, promote healthy behaviors that are often adopted during pregnancy, and improve long-term health. Because the postpartum period is marked by unique challenges to a person's ability to prioritize healthy behaviors, a multi-level/domain approach to intervention beyond the individual-level factors of diet and activity is needed. The purpose of this study was to understand postpartum people's perceptions about the relationship between their social networks and support, and their health behaviors and weight. We used a qualitative descriptive approach and in-depth interviews. Participants (aged 18+, 12-15 months postpartum, who had a pre-pregnancy body mass index ⩾25) engaged in one-on-one, in-depth interviews conducted via Zoom (n = 28). Additional qualitative data came from open-ended responses to an online survey (n = 84) and a personal social-network survey (n = 84). Qualitative analysis used content and thematic analysis in stages of deductive coding applying codes derived from social-network and support theories, followed by inductive coding. Thirty-eight participants (38.4%) returned to or weighed less than pre-pregnancy weight. We identified two overarching themes grounded in social-network and support theories. They were: (1) normative influence impacts health behaviors, body image, and experiences of weight stigma, and (2) network social support is related to health goals and overall postpartum health. Postpartum networks/support hindered and supported participants' goals. Partners provided an important source of accountability but were often associated with barriers to healthier behaviors. Our findings reinforce the importance of the social context when considering how to support healthy behaviors and weight during the postpartum period. Healthcare providers should focus on health indicators other than maternal weight, and those wishing to support healthy postpartum behaviors could focus on child and family health, rather than solely on maternal weight and health behaviors.

The Effect of Browser-Based 360°VR on the Science Achievement Gap Between Students with and Without Disabilities

The ongoing science achievement gap between students with and without disabilities affects informed citizenry and job opportunities. This study explored the impact of extended reality (XR) in inclusive 9th-grade biology classrooms using browser-based 360° virtual reality (VR). The primary research question is: Does using XR (i.e., browser-based 360° VR in science lessons lead to a statistically significant performance difference between secondary students with and without disabilities? Although a one-way Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA) yielded non-significant results, a moderate effect size suggested a meaningful difference, prompting further investigation. A follow-up MANOVA on pre- and post-change scores was statistically significant. The secondary research question on social validity is: What opinions do students and teachers express about learning after students use XR during science lessons? Surveys indicated that students and the teacher found VR beneficial, recommending it as a supplement. Implications for research, practice, and technology developers are provided.

Envy inducing social media posts can uplift and deflate viewers: a replication of Montes and DeAndrea (2024)

ABSTRACT This study replicates prior research that has examined how non-college attending emerging adults react to envy-inducing social media posts, applying it to a different population and expanding on an unexpected result. Previous findings indicate that perceptions of deservingness influence the type of envy experienced (benign or malicious), while documenting how social approval cues affect intensity of pain. By replicating the original study, we aim to test the robustness of pain-driven dual envy theory as an explanatory framework for understanding how social media posts can simultaneously inspire and provoke hostility in viewers.

The Effects of a DRO and Self-Monitoring Program on Prisoners in an Italian Prison

Abstract This study examined the effectiveness of differential reinforcement of other behavior and self-monitoring in reducing challenging behavior among sixteen male inmates in an Italian prison. A multiple baseline design across groups was used to evaluate changes in property destruction, self-injury, and aggression. Results indicated a substantial reduction in these targeted behaviors across all participants. Social validity measures indicated improved inmate perception of their quality of life and interactions with others in the prison.

Using Asynchronous Training and Emailed Performance Feedback to Change a Teaching Behavior of Preservice Teachers

The current study used a multiple probe design to determine the effects of an intervention package (asynchronous training plus emailed specific performance feedback) on the rate of opportunities to respond (OTR) of three preservice elementary teachers providing small group mathematics instruction. The study utilized Swivl to record and upload lessons, which were viewed and coded to determine the rate per minute of OTR. Results show a functional relation between the intervention package and increased rates of OTR across all participants. Calculations using Nonoverlap of All Pairs (NAP) and Log Response Ratio (LRRi) suggest strong effects on the rate of OTR. Social validity was determined by semi-structured interviews, during which participants noted the intervention package to be effective at changing their behavior and simple to implement. Limitations and future research directions are addressed.

Evaluating the Effects of a Teacher-Implemented Mindfulness-Based Intervention on Teacher Stress and Student Prosocial Behavior

Abstract This pilot study evaluated the effects of a mindfulness-based intervention (MBI) on teacher stress and coping as well as students’ prosocial classroom behavior. This study also explored the implementation fidelity and social validity of this MBI with teachers. This study used a single-case multiple baseline design across four elementary teachers. The MBI consisted of self-practice and a proactively culturally-adapted classroom-based intervention. We gathered data on teacher stress and coping as well as student prosocial behavior in the classroom for two weeks. Teachers received weekly in-person fidelity checks and performance feedback. MBI sustainability was monitored with two-week and one-month follow-up questionnaires post-intervention. MBI self-practice and classroom-based implementation were conducted with high fidelity and had strong social validity. The MBI decreased teacher stress for two of four teachers and improved coping abilities for two of four teachers. Further, three of four teachers reported the MBI had small yet desirable effects on students’ academic engagement, respectful behavior, and disruptive behavior in the classroom. Although results show potential promises in the short-term, follow-ups suggested the MBI had poor sustainability. This study provides proof of concept for the MBI’s potential to positively affect both teachers and students, but more research is needed to understand the mixed results. Results have practical implications for informing future research related to using MBI to reduce teacher stress and coping as well as for improving students’ classroom behavior. We hope this study encourages researchers to engage in MBIs to promote teacher and student well-being.

Interventions and measures of social inclusion for students with extensive support needs in K-12 schools: A scoping review.

This scoping review explores (a) how k-12 schools facilitate social inclusion, specifically for students with extensive support needs (ESN) and (b) how those intervention approaches are measured. Given the cross-disciplinary nature of the topic, the search entailed ten different databases that identified 540 articles. Eight articles met the inclusion criteria and were included in this review. The approaches used to facilitate social inclusion for students with ESN are summarized as those that involve (a) comprehensive multi-level interventions, (b) peer-mediated interventions, and (c) collaborative consultation and planning with teachers. The scoping review identified three primary constructs that assess social inclusion, namely, social interactions, participation (academic and social), and social validity of the interventions used. The scoping review underscores the complexity of the concept of social inclusion and poses a challenge to identify a unifying measure of social inclusion for students with ESN.

Public Understanding and Expectations of Digital Health Evidence Generation: Focus Group Study.

The rapid proliferation of health apps has not been matched by a comparable growth in scientific evaluations of their effectiveness, particularly for apps available to the public. This gap has prompted ongoing debate about the types of evidence necessary to validate health apps, especially as the perceived risk level varies from wellness tools to diagnostic aids. The perspectives of the general public, who are direct stakeholders, are notably underrepresented in discussions on digital health evidence generation. This study aimed to explore public understanding and expectations regarding the evidence required to demonstrate health apps' effectiveness, including at varying levels of health risk. A total of 4 focus group discussions were held with UK residents aged 18 years and older, recruited through targeted advertisements to ensure demographic diversity. Participants discussed their views on evidence requirements for 5 hypothetical health apps, ranging from low-risk wellness apps to high-risk diagnostic tools. Focus groups were moderated using a structured guide, and data were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis to extract common themes. A total of 5 key themes were established: personal needs, app functionality, social approval, expectations of testing, and authority. Participants relied on personal experiences and social endorsements when judging the effectiveness of low-risk digital health interventions, while making minimal reference to traditional scientific evidence. However, as the perceived risk of an app increased, there was a noticeable shift toward preferring evidence from authoritative sources, such as government or National Health Service endorsements. The public have a preference for evidence that resonates on a personal level, but also show a heightened demand for authoritative guidance as the potential risk of digital health interventions increases. These perspectives should guide developers, regulators, and policy makers as they balance how to achieve innovation, safety, and public trust in the digital health landscape. Engaging the public in evidence-generation processes and ensuring transparency in app functionality and testing can bridge the gap between public expectations and regulatory standards, fostering trust in digital health technologies.

Learning from the roundtable on obesity solutions experiences: A 10-year anniversary point of view.

The Roundtable on Obesity Solutions (ROOS), established in 2014, is a unique organization of multisectoral voices addressing the public health challenge of obesity. The ROOS brings together practitioners, researchers, funders, companies, health systems, government agencies, and the lived experience to dialogue and guide the national conversation about the multilevel challenges and opportunities related to obesity. This paper presents insights and key learnings from a symposium developed to celebrating the 10th Anniversary of the ROOS. The first six years (2014-2019) of the ROOS marked a period in which dialogue was initiated, multi-sectoral perspectives were captured, and important viewpoints were deliberated and published. In 2020, the ROOS engaged in a strategic planning process enabled by systems science that ultimately resulted in the creation of a roadmap focused on drivers and solutions of obesity. This roadmap generated an agenda focused on upstream social and structural drivers of obesity with an emphasis on the integration of equity, gaps, strategies, and the lived experience. Three main priorities identified in this roadmap included structural racism, social norms, and health communications. Based on this work, the ROOS has had significant impact in the areas of equity, weight stigma, and the lived experience. Much work remains. To date, obesity solutions available for prevention and treatment have been vastly underutilized. Future directions should: 1) include increasing access to effective prevention and treatment options; 2) a focus on how best to implement new technologies in obesity prevention and care; 3) addressing issues of equity, literacy, and stigma that remain unresolved; and 4) leveraging the influence of regional cultures, policies, and social norms. We hope that insights gained over the previous 10years will inspire another decade of impact for the ROOS.

Consumer response to green advertising appeals: the role of susceptibility to normative influence and need for uniqueness

PurposeSustainable production and consumption may reduce global warming. Disseminating environmental awareness through green advertising appeals can increase consumers’ intention to purchase green skincare products.Design/methodology/approachThe study explores the boundary condition of susceptibility to normative influence (SNI) (Study 1; N = 156) and the need for uniqueness (NFU) (Study 2; N = 198) in the relationship between green appeals and customers’ intention to buy skincare products. This study employs an experimental method to test the relationships.FindingsThe findings indicate that (1) green (vs non-green) advertising appeals significantly affect the customers’ purchase intention; (2) the boundary condition of lower (vs higher) SNI strengthens the impact of green appeals on purchase intentions and (3) the moderating role of higher (vs lower) NFU strengthens the relationship between green appeals and purchase intention.Originality/valueThis paper sheds light on the sustainable production and consumption of skincare products through green advertising appeals to promote sustainability.

Reimagining service provider influence: how they embrace and promote sustainability

PurposeThis study aims to advance services marketing research by examining how credence claims, such as sustainability messaging, shape social norms and decision-making behaviors among professional service providers (PSPs). It introduces a typology of PSPs based on their integration of sustainability expertise and normative beliefs. In doing so, the study demonstrates service providers’ role in influencing brand recommendations. By positioning PSPs as intermediaries who translate sustainability knowledge into actionable guidance, the research highlights how credible eco-claims drive pro-social behaviors, underscoring the importance of services marketing in promoting pro-environmental actions and fostering societal change.Design/methodology/approachA sample of 467 veterinarians were contacted from across North America with the assistance of a major pet food supplier. Structural equation modeling measured the degree to which social norms, a belief in eco-claims and sustainability expertise shaped sustainability importance for professionals. A post hoc 2 × 2 typology placed professionals in quadrants based on eco-related factors, with sustainability-based brand recommendations analyzed based on their quadrant placement.FindingsSocial norms and sustainability expertise were instrumental in predicting the importance of professionals’ environmental stewardship. The typology determined that each quadrant of professionals reported significantly different likelihoods of recommending eco-friendly products to their clients.Originality/valueThis study introduces a novel perspective in services marketing by linking sustainability messaging to social norms and decision-making. It presents a unique typology of PSP profiles based on sustainability expertise and normative influences. By positioning PSPs as intermediaries who translate sustainability knowledge into actionable guidance, the research emphasizes the service sector’s capability of driving pro-environmental behaviors and advancing sustainable practices.

Local Community Behavior Model in Participatory-Based Sustainable Tourism Development

Sustainable tourism development is one of the main agendas in many countries, including Indonesia. Tourism based on the principle of sustainability provides economic benefits, maintains environmental sustainability, and promotes local cultural values. One of the key factors for the success of sustainable tourism development is support from local communities. Local communities play an important role because they are subjects and objects in tourism development. The involvement of local communities in this process can increase a sense of ownership, active Participation, and compliance with sustainable tourism practices. However, not all local communities have the same behavior in supporting sustainable tourism development. This study aims to find a model of local community behavior in supporting participatory-based sustainable tourism development. The study identifies local community behavior, such as attitudes, social norms, knowledge, and perceptions of benefits in sustainable tourism development through active Participation. This study uses a quantitative approach with Partial Least Square-Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) analysis techniques. Data were collected through questionnaires from 100 local community respondents in Ranupani Village, Senduro District, Lumajang Regency, East Java Province, Indonesia. The results showed that attitudes and perceptions of benefits had a positive and significant effect on active Participation, while social norms and knowledge did not have a significant effect. Furthermore, active Participation was proven to positively and significantly affect sustainable tourism development. Attitudes and perceptions of benefits also indirectly influenced sustainable tourism development through active Participation. These results indicate the importance of building positive attitudes and increasing perceptions of the benefits of sustainable tourism to encourage active community involvement. Conversely, the low influence of social norms and knowledge requires a more effective approach by strengthening social norms and providing relevant education to the community. This study contributes to developing community behavior theory in sustainable tourism development. Further research is suggested to explore other variables, such as policy or technology support, that can influence active community participation.

Youth and Socialization Spaces: A Field Study on Prediction of Risky Alcohol Use by Need for Social Approval and Drinking Motives in Alcohol-Using University Students

Youth and Socialization Spaces: A Field Study on Prediction of Risky Alcohol Use by Need for Social Approval and Drinking Motives in Alcohol-Using University Students

The importance of non-economic reasons in the intention to kill small cats in Northeastern Bangladesh

ABSTRACT The killing of carnivores is a central issue in carnivore conservation. Research has focused primarily on large carnivores that cause severe damage to livelihoods, but people’s hostility toward carnivores is not always being correlated to economic damage. This study investigates reasons for killings of the fishing cat (Prionailurus viverrinus), a small cat found in South and Southeast Asia. A structured questionnaire was used in 244 households to examine the perceived risk of poultry loss and the intention to kill fishing cats. Among respondents, 88% reported that they have never or rarely experienced fishing cat predation on poultry. However, 84% believed that fishing cats attack people. Intention to kill forms through a combination of individual attitude and social norms. High social approval for the killing of fishing cats was found, possibly originating from the misconception that fishing cats are dangerous “tigers.” Removing the social stigma is crucial for conservation of fishing cats in the region.

Teacher acceptability of instructional supports in science for multilingual learners

Addressing language barriers during instruction is critical for improving content area learning and achievement within classrooms with students from different native language backgrounds. Although several instructional supports have been highlighted in the literature as helping to reduce language barriers, it is questionable whether teachers are likely to infuse them within their instruction. We applied a social validity framework in the administration of a teacher survey ( N = 376) and interview ( N = 9) to better understand United States (U.S.) elementary teachers’ perspectives on four instructional supports for English learners (ELs). Survey results indicated teachers tended to find all supports acceptable within a science instructional context but found visual supports more acceptable than incorporation of the students’ native language. Interview results shed light on the different goals and priorities teachers may have for ELs that may help to explain the varying acceptability of the four instructional supports addressed. Implications for school psychologists seeking to help improve outcomes for ELs through school-based consultation are provided.