Praise seeking and rejection avoidance need scales : Development and examination of validity

Evolution and Human Behavior

2017

Although many previous studies have shown that eye-like images promote generosity, the mechanism of this "watching eyes effect" remains unclear. One possible cause is the concern for a good reputation as a generous person, while the other is the concerns for a bad reputation as a norm violator. To elucidate which of these two concerns is the main influencer, the present study conducted a laboratory experiment that investigated whether the watching eyes effect changed depending on social norms. If the concern for a good reputation leads to the effect, prosocial behavior would be more likely in the presence of watching eyes, regardless of the social norms involved. However, if the concern for avoiding a bad reputation as a norm violator leads to the effect, watching eyes promote prosocial behavior only in the existence of prosocial norms. In the original study, participants were asked to make a donation under conditions in which eye-like images either were or were not present. In addition to the eye-like images, we manipulated prosocial norms by informing each participant of either high or low mean donation amounts given by previous participants. We found that watching eyes promoted donations only when a prosocial norm existed. This supports the idea that the watching eyes effect is caused by a concern for avoiding a bad reputation from violating norms. However, in a replication study, we were unable to replicate the original results; watching eyes did not promote generosity regardless of the norm. Taken together, we discussed the moderation effect of norms and the possibility of other moderators.

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The norm-dependent effect of watching eyes on donation

Evolution and Human Behavior

2017

“…There are two types of reputational concern (e.g., Kawamura & Kusumi, 2017;Wu, Balliet, & Van Lange, 2016b): seeking a good reputation (i.e., praise seeking) and avoiding a bad reputation (i.e., rejection avoidance). These concerns are distinctive; one study has showed that these concerns predict different types of response to one's evaluation from others (Kojima, Ohta, & Sugawara, 2003). The relationships between these types of reputational concern and altruistic behavior could also differ.…”

Section: Two Types Of Reputational Concern: Praise Seeking and Rejementioning

confidence: 99%

“…We recruited 416 Japanese participants (208 men and 208 women) aged between 20 and 59 years (M = 39.8, SD = 11.13), using the Macromill online research system (Macromill, Inc. Tokyo, Japan). Participants completed the Praise Seeking and Rejection Avoidance Need Scales (PSRA; Kojima et al, 2003), Self-Report Altruism Scale Distinguished by the Recipient (SRAS-DR; , and Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI; Davis, 1980; translated into Japanese by Himichi et al, 2017).…”

Section: Participants and Proceduresmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The 18-item Praise Seeking and Rejection Avoidance Need Scales were used to measure praise seeking and rejection avoidance (Kojima et al, 2003). Participants are required to indicate the extent to which they agree with statements regarding the tendency to seek positive evaluation (i.e., praise seeking) and avoid negative evaluation (i.e., rejection avoidance) from others.…”

Section: Praise Seeking and Rejection Avoidance Need Scales (Psra)mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Relationships between two types of reputational concern and altruistic behavior in daily life

Personality and Individual Differences

2018

Although many studies have shown that reputational cues promote altruism, few studies have focused on individual differences. The present study provides novel evidence indicating that the relationship between reputational concern and altruistic behavior differs according to the type of reputational concern involved and the recipients of altruism. Specifically, the relationships between individual differences of two reputational concerns (i.e., praise seeking and rejection avoidance) and the frequency with which participants exhibited altruistic behavior toward various individuals (i.e., family members, friends/acquaintances, and strangers) were examined. As predicted, neither type of reputational concern was significantly associated with altruistic behavior toward family members. This is understandable, as altruistic behavior toward familiar people is unlikely to lead to a good reputation. Conversely, praise seeking predicted altruistic behavior toward friends/acquaintances and strangers, whereas rejection avoidance did not. These findings are consistent with recent literature suggesting the effectiveness of positive reputation systems to promote generosity, relative to negative reputation systems. Furthermore, rejection avoidance was negatively associated with altruistic behavior toward strangers; we discussed the possibility that this was because such behavior was not very normative. Our findings provide useful insight for future studies examining the relationship between reputation and altruistic behavior.

“…Two types of reputational concern were assessed using the 18-item Praise Seeking and Rejection Avoidance Need Scales (Kojima, Ohta, & Sugawara, 2003; sample items were found in Kawamura & Kusumi, 2018). Participants indicated the extent to which they agreed with statements on a five-point Likert scale (1 = false for me, 5 = true for me).…”

Section: Praise Seeking and Rejection Avoidance Need Scalesmentioning

confidence: 99%

The relationship between rejection avoidance and altruism is moderated by social norms

Personality and Individual Differences

2018

Recently, the relationship between reputation and altruism has gained significant attention. The present study examined whether the relationship between rejection avoidance and altruism differs according to social norms. A total of 320 participants completed an online survey with questions concerning rejection avoidance and altruism in situations where either a prosocial or non-prosocial norm was present. As predicted, people with higher levels of rejection avoidance displayed less altruism only in the context of non-prosocial norms. This result corresponds with previous evidence that suggests that altruism can be evaluated negatively by others when it deviates from social norms. These findings shed a new light on the relationship between reputation and altruism.