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Supplemental material, sj-docx-1-jhp-10.1177_00221678231177561 for From Heroism Motivation to Civic Engagement: The Role of Self-Construals by Yuning Sun, Eric R. Igou and Elaine L. Kinsella in Journal of Humanistic Psychology

Moral dumbfounding occurs when people defend a moral judgment, without reasons in support of this judgment. The phenomenon has been influential in moral psychology, however, despite its influence, it remains poorly understood. Based on the notion that cognitive load enhances biases and shortcomings in human judgment when elaboration is beneficial, we hypothesized that under cognitive load, people would be less likely to provide reasons for a judgment and more likely to be dumbfounded (or to change their judgment). In a pre-registered study (N = 1686) we tested this prediction. Our findings suggest that cognitive load reduces reason-giving, and increases dumbfounding (but does not lead to changes in judgments). Our results provide new insights into the phenomenon of moral dumbfounding while also advancing theory in moral psychology

Heroism is an expression of self-actualization and a pinnacle social state that is of fundamental interest to humanistic psychology. Heroes help individuals understand the values and norms within society and prompt individuals to do what they can for those who need help. We examine the relationship between the motivation to act heroically and civic engagement and explore how self-construals offer insights into this relationship. In two studies, we found that heroism motivation was a significant and consistent predictor of civic engagement. Furthermore, we found that the association between heroism motivation and civic engagement was explained by self-construals. More specifically, we found that heroism motivation was indirectly related to civic engagement when people adopted an interdependent self-construal (but not an independent self-construal). The findings from the present research contribute to our understanding of how the motivation to behave heroically affects civic engagement and demonstrate the importance of self-construals for the link between these types of motivation and behavior.

Supplemental material, sj-docx-1-psp-10.1177_01461672221150238 for On Cultural Differences of Heroes: Evidence From Individualistic and Collectivistic Cultures by Yuning Sun, Elaine L. Kinsella and Eric R. Igou in Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin

The present study will explore instances of disidentification and dissociation in survivors of childhood sexual abuse who have waived their right to anonymity in Ireland. We will employ a reflexive thematic analysis (Braun & Clarke, 2006, 2020) and draw on the social identity framework (Tajfel & Turner, 1979; Haslam et al., 2009).

Building on earlier research that examined the characteristics people associate with heroes, our research examined similarities and differences of the hero stereotype across cultures. Specifically, in Study 1 (N = 209) and Study 2 (N = 298), we investigated lay perceptions of heroes among participants from a collectivistic culture. In Study 3 (N = 586), we examined whether group membership could be determined by participants’ centrality ratings of the combined set of hero features. In Study 4 (N = 197), we tested whether the hero features that distinguish American and Chinese participants, when used to describe a target person, influence the impression that the target person is a hero. In Study 5 (N = 158) and Study 6 (N= 591), we investigated cultural differences in perceptions of different types of heroes (e.g., social, martial, civil) and the influence of individualism and collectivism on the perception of those heroes.

Survivors of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) can experience dissociation because of their trauma. Those survivors can also experience stigma stemming from their traumatic experiences, which may encourage disidentification from the stigmatized group (i.e., other survivors of ACEs). However, the relationships between disidentification and dissociation have not been empirically tested. Using a social identity framework, we examined whether stigmatized trauma perceptions (the degree to which a trauma is perceived as a stigmatized experience) predicted dissociative symptoms and disidentification using cross-sectional survey data. An online community sample of ACEs survivors (N = 181) completed measures of disidentification and dissociation. Stigmatized trauma perceptions were measured greater dissociation. The findings demonstrate a link between social disidentification and personal dissociation.Further research can explore this link in other types of stigmatized traumas (e.g., suicide)by respondents rating the extent to which they perceived ACEs are a stigmatizing experience. Path analysis revealed higher stigmatized trauma perceptions predicted more disidentification which resulted in greater dissociative symptoms, after controlling for ACEs and gender. The results show that survivors are more likely to disidentify from people with similar experiences when they feel their trauma is stigmatized. This disidentification was associated with The findings demonstrate a link between social disidentification and personal dissociation. Further research can explore this link in other types of stigmatized traumas (e.g., suicide)

Predicting positive psychosocial outcomes following an Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) remains a challenge. Considerable research demonstrates that social group memberships can have positive effects on psychological well-being, particularly during life transitions. Social group memberships are argued to help people derive a sense of self. This prospective study examined if social group memberships (number of groups and connectedness with groups) could predict posttraumatic growth (PTG) in those affected by ABI. Thirty-six participants (10 females

Using a scoping review methodology, we aim to provide a broad overview of all current evidence regarding the role of leadership in social movements.

Understanding what predicts wellbeing and burnout in those on the frontline.

The social cure helps us understand the processes underlying the connection between relationships and well-being by highlighting the role our group memberships and the social identity and social support we receive from these groups. ‘Groups for Health’ (G4H) was developed in order to help people improve their social connectedness and reduce social issues or psychological distress, that can be caused due to disconnectedness. Social Identity Mapping (SIM), is part of the G4H intervention but, can also be used separately in order to help reduce psychological distress. These are relatively new interventions therefore the aim of this systematic literature review is to assess the existing evidence of ‘Social Cure’ interventions, known as ‘Groups 4 Health’ and ‘Social Identity Mapping’, and their impact on mental health. The objectives of this review are to: 1) to describe the uses of the ‘Social Cure’ interventions; 2) to describe the measures that have been utilised to assess these interventions; and 3) to assess the evidence of the effectiveness of these interventions for improving mental health and well-being outcomes.

Understanding what predicts wellbeing and burnout in those on the frontline.

Data files accompanying studies investigating Moral Dumbfounding

A seminal study by Triplett provided initial evidence for the social facilitation effect, and over the last century research has demonstrated this effect across a range of settings. However, despite the importance of Triplett’s study no research has replicated the original study paradigm. Furthermore, in the context of research advances and methodological rigour, some elements of the original study weaken the validity of the observed findings. We address these critical limitations and replicate the original study, employing a standardized study protocol to minimise potential confounds, such as practice effects. A minimum of 400 school-aged children will be recruited. Using a purpose-built apparatus, participants will complete each trial twice — once alone and once in competition with another participant. Trial order will be standardized. The results of this study will extend research on social facilitation by replicating the original study paradigm and exploring potential age and gender effects.

Mortality threats are among the strongest psychological threats that an individual can encounter. Previous research shows that mortality threats lead people to engage in unhealthy compensatory consumption (i.e., overeating), as a maladaptive coping response to threat. In this paper, we propose that reminders of heroes when experiencing mortality threat increases perceptions of personal power, which in turn buffers the need to engage in unhealthy compensatory consumption. We test and find support for our predictions in a series of four studies that include real‐world Twitter data after a series of terrorist attacks in 2016–2017, and three experimental studies conducted online and in the field with behavioral measures after Day of the Dead and during COVID‐19 pandemic. These findings advance the literature on compensatory consumption, mortality threats, and the psychological functions of heroes.

Registration for a systematic review on social factors in burnout.

Evidence given on 24th August 2021 by Dr Rachel Sumner (UoG) and Dr Elaine Kinsella (UL) to the All Party Parliamentary Group on Coronavirus inquiry on the impact of the pandemic on frontline healthcare workers. Evidence based on work by Dr Rachel Sumner and Dr Elaine Kinsella.

Whilst the Covid-19 pandemic moves into a new phase with the successful roll out of vaccines in adults in the UK, there is an opportunity to reflect, re-evaluate, and reconfigure public health responses. Of importance is the need to defend and protect the frontline workforce who have sacrificed so much over the last 18 months. The present essay summarises key recommendations from frontline workers to policymakers with specific reference to the preparation needed for the Autumn and Winter to come. The participants from the CV19 Heroes Project give voice to concerns over the unique challenges posed by the coming months, and speak of the need to embed evidence into future policy to both compensate existing, and prevent future, occupational exposure to Covid-19, the experience of Long Covid, and the overall psychological and physical scars experienced from what has been a traumatic period of their working lives.