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Special Issue on Prosocial Behavior (Part Ⅱ)


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Special Issue on Prosocial Behavior (Part Ⅱ)

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The impact of narrative information on parochial cooperative and its mechanisms HE Ning, WANG Ziyi, LIN Jiahao, LI Meng, YOU Xuqun 2025, 57 (4):  513-525.  doi: 10.3724/SP.J.1041.2025.0513 Abstract ( 852 )   PDF (549KB) ( 1119 )   Peer Review Comments Recently, the trend of parochialism is on the rise worldwide. Some countries, regions and organizations engage in parochial cooperation to seek their own short-term gains at the cost of long-term interests of other groups and even all humankind. How to reduce parochial cooperation has become a significant concern both in academia and in policy-making. Narrative information is defined as descriptions of a series of related events or experiences in words through a narrative. Numerous studies have found that narrative information can effectively mitigate parochial empathy and parochial altruism. Thus, this study predicts that narrative information would attenuate parochial cooperation, and further explores its mechanism in terms of perceived similarity. In addition, because groups are typically embedded within more complex relational networks, the context of intergroup relation is introduced to examine its possible moderating effects. In three studies utilizing behavioral experiments and questionnaire surveys based on the minimal group paradigm, narrative information was categorized as viewpoint-related narrative information, which depicts the mental state of the main character of the story, and event-related narrative information, which depicts the objective situations in which the event occurs. Study 1 (N = 37) examined the effects of narrative information on parochial cooperation behavior through the Public Goods Game (PGG). Study 2 (N = 40) adopted the Intergroup Parochial and Universal Cooperation game (IPUC) to investigate the effects of narrative information on three types of cooperation behavior: strong parochial cooperation, weak parochial cooperation and universal cooperation, and examined the mediating role of perceived similarity between narrative information and parochial cooperation behavior. Study 3 (N = 80) manipulated intergroup relation as cooperation versus competition to explore its moderating effect on the link between narrative information and parochial cooperation behavior. The results of the studies supported the following conclusions. (1) Viewpoint-related narrative information significantly reduces parochial cooperative behavior more than event-related narrative information. (2) Perceived similarity full mediated the link between narrative information and strong parochial cooperative behavior. Specifically, compared to event-related narrative information, viewpoint-related narrative information elicited a higher level of perceived similarity in participants, which consequently inhibited strong parochial cooperative behavior. (3) Intergroup relation played a moderating role in the causal link between narrative information and parochial cooperative behavior, and also played a moderating role between narrative information and strong parochial cooperative behavior. In particular, in the context of cooperation, narrative information exhibited no significant effect on parochial cooperation and strong parochial cooperation, whereas in competitive context, viewpoint-related narrative information conversely increased the level of strong parochial cooperation. This study is the first to explore paths to reduce parochial cooperation between groups from the perspective of daily social information exchanges. It provides a new theoretical approach to understanding and enriching the mechanism of parochial cooperation behavior. Moreover, against the backdrop of increasing intergroup conflicts and deglobalization, this study has important implications for promoting intergroup cooperation and boosting the construction of a community with a shared future for mankind. References | Related Articles | Metrics

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The impact of temporal landmarks on the willingness of conspicuous prosocial behavior KUAI Ling, WEI Haiying, YAO Qi, XIAO Tingwen, XIE Shengcheng 2025, 57 (4):  526-543.  doi: 10.3724/SP.J.1041.2025.0526 Abstract ( 811 )   PDF (720KB) ( 859 )   Peer Review Comments Conspicuous prosocial behavior refers to prosocial behavior that expresses a positive self-image to others through public display. Previous studies have focused on the impact of individual psychological factors on conspicuous prosocial behavior. However, individuals’ participation in conspicuous prosocial behaviors changes under the influence of contextual factors. Based on self-awareness theory and costly signaling theory, this study explores the mechanism and boundary condition under which the situational factor of temporal landmarks affects the willingness to engage in conspicuous prosocial behavior. Six experiments were conducted to test this study’s hypotheses. Experiments 1a, 1b, and 1c explored the effects of temporal landmarks on the willingness to engage in conspicuous prosocial behavior. Experiment 1a (N = 140, 84 females) employed a 3 (temporal landmarks: start vs. end vs. control, between groups) × 2 (recycling sign: yes vs. no, within groups) mixed experimental design wherein participants were randomly assigned to the start group (6:00~9:00), end group (19:00~22:00), and control group (rest of the day). Experiment 1b (N = 198, 123 females) employed a 2 (temporal landmarks: start vs. end) × 2 (conspicuous: public vs. anonymous) between-subjects design to validate the effect of the start/end of the month on the behavior of publicly donating hematopoietic stem cells. Experiment 1c (N = 195, 117 females) employed a 2 (temporal landmarks: start vs. end) × 2 (conspicuous: public vs. anonymous) between-subjects design to explore the impact of participants’ donation intention and amount on Monday/Friday in the public/anonymous context. Experiment 2a (N = 141, 103 females) employed a single-factor (temporal landmarks: start vs. end) between-subjects design that used conspicuous kindness as an indicator of conspicuous prosocial behavior and measured participants’ situational public self-awareness. Experiment 2b (N = 249, 172 women) employed a 2 (temporal landmarks: start vs. end) × 3 (conspicuous products: prosocial products vs. luxury goods vs. control) between-subjects design to investigate whether temporal landmarks affected conspicuous prosocial or other conspicuous behaviors. Experiment 3 (N = 194, 127 females) employed a single-factor (temporal landmarks: start vs. end) between-subjects design, with both groups completing the experiment on July 1. The difference between the start and end groups was that the former emphasized the beginning of the month, whereas the latter emphasized Saturday. The participants reported their self-monitoring levels, situational public self-awareness, and willingness to engage in conspicuous prosocial behavior. Experiment 1a revealed that individuals preferred to purchase conspicuous prosocial products when initiating start (vs. end) temporal landmarks. Experiment 1b indicated that participants in the start group (end group) were more willing to leave an e-mail to make an appointment to donate hematopoietic stem cells under the public (anonymous) condition. Experiment 1c demonstrated that at the beginning of a period, participants were more likely to make charitable donations and give higher amounts when the donors’ names were disclosed. Experiment 2a illustrated that the above effects were driven by situational public self-awareness. The beginning of a period motivated participants’ public self-awareness, making them more inclined to engage in conspicuous prosocial behaviors. Experiment 2b indicated that the start temporal effect existed only for conspicuous prosocial goods (vs. luxury goods vs. control condition). Experiment 3 examined the moderating role of self-monitoring levels. Individuals with high self-monitoring were more inclined to engage in conspicuous prosocial behavior at the beginning (vs. end) of a period, whereas, for individuals with low self-monitoring levels, temporal landmarks did not effectively influence their conspicuous prosocial behavior. This study reveals the relationship between temporal landmarks and conspicuous prosocial behavior, which has theoretical implications for the literature on temporal landmarks and conspicuous prosocial behavior as well as provides practical guidance for marketing managers to encourage individuals to engage in prosocial actions corresponding to temporal landmarks. References | Related Articles | Metrics

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The impacts of music training and music sophistication on empathy HUA Shan, JIANG Xintong, GAO Yangzhenyu, MU Yan, DU Yi 2025, 57 (4):  544-558.  doi: 10.3724/SP.J.1041.2025.0544 Abstract ( 808 )   PDF (1948KB) ( 1168 )   Peer Review Comments Music has long been recognized for fostering social bonds, with potential benefits for prosocial behaviors and empathy. Empathy, a key predictor of prosocial behaviors, encompasses both cognitive and affective components, involving the mentalizing and sharing of others’ emotional states. While musical training has been linked to increased empathy and prosocial behaviors, the influence of musical sophistication—a comprehensive measure of musical experience—on empathy is less well understood. Moreover, the specific components and pathways through which musical experience influences empathy remain unclear, with existing research relying largely on subjective measures and lacking objective behavioral evidence. To address these gaps, we conducted two studies using musical training and musical sophistication as indicators of musical experience to explore their impact on trait and state empathy through questionnaires and a behavioral experiment. In Study 1, we examined the relationship between musical training, musical sophistication and empathy in 130 musicians and 121 non-musicians, using standardized measures including the Goldsmiths Musical Sophistication Index (Gold-MSI) and Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI). Musicians scored significantly higher than non-musicians in cognitive empathy components (Perspective Taking and Fantasy). After controlling for gender, musical sophistication was positively correlated with cognitive empathy components (Perspective Taking and Fantasy) and an affective empathy component (Empathic Concern). Furthermore, after controlling for gender, openness, psychological states (depression, anxiety, alexithymia), and subjective social status, path analysis revealed that musical sophistication directly influenced cognitive empathy (Fantasy), while musical training indirectly influenced it via the mediating effect of music sophistication. Study 2 employed a pain empathy paradigm to assess empathic responses in 59 musicians and 61 non-musicians. Musicians demonstrated a higher alignment between ratings of their own and others' pain when observing others in pain, indicating greater empathy. The musicians' empathic response to pain was serially mediated by music sophistication and Fantasy in cognitive empathy. However, musical sophistication alone did not significantly affect pain empathy when the influence of musical training on musical sophistication was controlled. In summary, both long-term musical training and musical sophistication positively impact cognitive empathy. Specifically, musical training indirectly enhances the cognitive component (Fantasy) of trait empathy by improving musical sophistication, thereby fostering greater empathy for others' pain. In contrast, musical sophistication has a direct and stable relationship with cognitive empathy. These findings support the “social bonding” hypothesis, highlighting music’s role in developing empathy and interpersonal skills. References | Related Articles | Metrics

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Individual differences in the social evaluation of 6-month-old infants WU Mei, LIANG Xi, SHI Jiahui, WANG Zhengyan 2025, 57 (4):  559-572.  doi: 10.3724/SP.J.1041.2025.0559 Abstract ( 323 )   PDF (793KB) ( 348 )   Peer Review Comments Social evaluation refers to the capacity of a human being to assess the behavior and intention of others in a social context. As social beings, humans inhabit a profoundly interconnected world characterized by unceasing interpersonal interactions. Under this background, the manner in which individuals evaluate their peers acts as the foundation for comprehending the world. In particular, early social assessment serves as a precursor variable in the development of moral and prosocial behaviors in subsequent years. It is a pivotal factor in shaping an individual’s future prosocial tendencies. On the one hand, social evaluation aids in identifying suitable social companions, avoiding inappropriate or hazardous individuals, and making judicious decisions. On the other hand, it assumes a pivotal role in kindling an individual’s prosocial inclinations, guiding prudent behavioral choices, molding prosocial conduct, and fostering moral maturation. Social evaluation capacity among adults primarily manifests through their quick acquisition of meaningful insights from the emotional, behavioral, and postural cues of others, enabling them to formulate corresponding assessments and behavioral responses. Similarly, infants exhibit the capacity to discern behavioral cues exhibited by others during social interactions, extrapolating insights into their motives and intentions and making apt assessments. In 2007, Hamlin et al. published a study in Nature that reported that 6-month-old infants possessed social evaluative skills, responding differently to the “helping” and “hindering” behaviors of individuals during social interactions and showing greater preference for helpers (prosocial agents). Since then, researchers have continuously challenged the replicability of this result. In the present study, we used the classic “helper- hinderer” choice paradigm of Hamlin et al. (2007) and a violation of the expectation paradigm to examine the choice preferences and gaze duration of Chinese infants (age: 6.32 ± 0.34 months; total of 179, 86 were girls) in a social evaluation task, and their relationship with the temperament of infants. The results of the present study showed that the gaze duration of infants was significantly higher when a third party approached the hinderer than when a third party approached the helper in an expectation violation task. However, infants did not show a preference for the helper in the behavioral choice task as reported by Hamlin et al. Infants who scored higher in the surgency dimension of temperament were more likely to choose “helper” in the manual choice task. In general, the results suggested that 6-month-old infants may already exhibit social evaluation ability to understand the behavior of others and infer their evaluation. However, individual differences are observed in this ability, which may be related to the temperament of infants. References | Related Articles | Metrics

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The effect of a social robot on the sharing behavior of 3- to 5-year-old children LI Hui, LIU Siyi, PANG Yi 2025, 57 (4):  573-583.  doi: 10.3724/SP.J.1041.2025.0573 Abstract ( 602 )   PDF (446KB) ( 681 )   Peer Review Comments Prosocial behavior benefits both individuals and society. Previous research has shown that human observers can influence the prosocial behavior of 5-year-old children. Psychological agency refers to the ability to think, make decisions, possess knowledge reserves, and interact responsively. Prior studies have indicated that the perceived psychological agency of robots affects children's selective trust in them. Based on this background, this study aimed to understand the impact of social robots on children's prosocial behavior in the context of human-robot interaction. Experiment 1 (N = 162), examined the effect of different observer types on preschool children's prosocial behavior, utilizing a 3 (observer type: human, social robot, none) × 2 (age group: 3 years, 5 years) between-subjects design. The experimenter had all participating children interact with a social robot before administering an animism test. Then, the children were randomly assigned to one of three groups: human observer, social robot observer, and no observer, and participated in an anonymous dictator game to share stickers. After the game, the experimenter asked the children for justifications for their sticker-sharing behavior. Experiment 2 further investigated the effect of different levels of robot psychological agency on 3-year-old’s prosocial behavior. In Experiment 2 (N = 192), the robot's psychological agency was manipulated, such that robots with psychological agency showed the ability to think, make decisions, have knowledge reserves, and interact with others. 3-year-old children were assigned to interact with a social robot with psychological agency or one without psychological agency, as well as a control group. Children in the psychological agency group interacted with a social robot and then took an animism test. Subsequently, the children participated in the anonymous dictator game in front of the robot. The control group children did not interact with the robot and directly participated in the anonymous dictator game. Following, the experimenter interviewed children in each group and recorded the reasons for their sticker-sharing behavior. In both experiments, the experimenter recorded the number of stickers shared by the children after they left. Study 1 found that 5-year-old children shared more stickers (exhibited more prosocial behavior) as compared to 3-year-old children. For 3-year-old children, the number of stickers shared in the human and robot observer conditions was significantly higher than in the no observer condition, with no significant difference between the human and robot observer conditions. Study 2 manipulated the psychological agency of social robots to explore its effect on the prosocial behavior of 3-year-old children. The results showed that 3-year-old children shared more stickers in the presence of a robot with psychological agency compared to the other two conditions. The study also explored the animism tendencies of children toward robots, indicating that 5-year-old children exhibited less animism than 3-year-old children. Furthermore, 3-year-old children attributed more psychological and life-like characteristics to robots with psychological agency as compared to those without. The research confirms that observers influence children's prosocial behavior and finds that the prosocial behavior of 3-year-old children is affected by the psychological agency of robots. Additionally, this study explores the animism tendencies of Chinese children of different ages toward social robots. These findings provide perspectives and foundations for future applications and research in the field of human-robot interaction. References | Related Articles | Metrics

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Dopaminergic genes moderated the association between peer rejection and adolescents’ prosocial behavior: Parallel latent growth modeling analyses LI Xi, JI Linqin, CHI Xiaohui, WANG Shuran, ZHANG Wenxin, CAO Yanmiao 2025, 57 (4):  584-598.  doi: 10.3724/SP.J.1041.2025.0584 Abstract ( 453 )   PDF (753KB) ( 477 )   Peer Review Comments Prosocial behaviors—actions intended to benefit others—are critical indicators of adolescents’ moral character and social competencies, and form the basis for societal harmony and cooperation. Adolescence is a critical period for facilitating prosocial behavior and internalizing prosocial values attributing to the ecological and biological transitions in this stage. Particularly, peer group changes and the increasing importance of peer relationships during this stage provide both risks and opportunities for the development of prosocial behaviors. In addition, adolescents may exhibit differences in the degree to which they are affected by peer experiences, which are often rooted in their genetic predispositions. Recent evidence indicated that the genes involved in dopamine neurotransmission and metabolism act in an additive manner to influence sensitivity to the environment. However, exploration regarding the dynamic trajectory of the relationship between peer experience and prosocial behavior and whether the dynamic relationship is moderated by dopaminergic genes in a longitudinal framework is still lacking. With the adoption of the multilocus genetic profile score (MGPS) approach, the present study aimed to explore the dynamic trajectory of the relationship between peer rejection and prosocial behavior, and whether the dynamic association was moderated by dopaminergic genes. The participants comprised 1044 adolescents who were followed up at the age of 13~15 years old (mean age 13.32 ± 0.48 years old at Time 1; 50.1% females). Adolescents’ saliva samples were collected at age 13. Peer-rated prosocial behavior and peer-nominated peer rejection were collected at each time point. All measures presented a good reliability. Real-time genotyping was performed for each participant using MassARRAY RT software version 3.0.0.4 and analyzed using the MassARRAY Typer software version 3.4 (Sequenom). The relationship between the developmental trajectories of peer rejection and prosocial behavior and the moderating role of dopaminergic genes was examined via parallel latent growth model and multiple group comparison analyses. The results showed that adolescents’ prosocial behavior and peer rejection increased linearly during the follow-up period. Higher initial levels of peer rejection were associated with lower initial levels and slower growth of prosocial behavior. The change rates of peer rejection were associated with the developmental change of prosocial behavior, that is, the slower increase in peer rejection was associated with a greater increase in prosocial behavior over time. In addition, the relationships between the initial level of peer rejection and the initial level and growth in prosocial behavior were moderated by MGPS, with lower MGPS being more sensitive to the initial level of peer rejection. These findings support the dynamic relationship between peer relationships and prosocial behavior and shed light on the complex polygenic underpinnings of the latter. References | Related Articles | Metrics

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Parental emotional warmth, self-control and adolescent prosocial behavior: The moderating role of multilocus genetic and parental gender differences NIE Yangang, CHEN Pei, WAN Linxin, YU Chengfu, LI Zhenhua 2025, 57 (4):  599-613.  doi: 10.3724/SP.J.1041.2025.0599 Abstract ( 814 )   PDF (1019KB) ( 1018 )   Peer Review Comments Previous quantitative genetic studies have demonstrated that adolescent self-control is influenced by parenting and genetics. In most existing studies, researchers have explored only the impact of the interaction between a single gene and parental factors on adolescent prosocial behaviour, but exploration of the endophenotype mechanism underlying the impact of the interaction between genes and the environment on prosocial behaviour is lacking. According to social cognitive models of prosocial behaviors, sociocognitive and socioemotive traits may be important mediators of environmental and genetic interactions on individual behaviors. In recent years, the single-polymorphism G×E design has been criticized for unreliable findings and difficult replication. As a potential solution, researchers have constructed multilocus genetic profile scores (MGPSs) to explore how environmental factors interact with genetic factors to predict adolescent development. Therefore, this study examined self-control as a mediator of the link between parental emotional warmth and adolescents’ prosocial behavior. Furthermore, this study developed an MGPS composed of five functional SNPs (COMT gene rs6269, HTR2A gene rs6313, OXTR gene rs53576, OXTR gene rs2254295, and OXTR gene rs2254298) and examined whether the MGPS moderates the mediating effect of self-control. Using a 2-time longitudinal design (6 months apart), this study recruited 880 adolescents by cluster sampling at T1 in Guangzhou, China. All adolescents completed questionnaires about parental emotional warmth, prosocial behavior, and demographic characteristics and provided saliva samples for DNA extraction. At T2, 723 adolescents remained in the study and reported their prosocial behavior and self-control. All polymorphisms were genotyped using SNaPshot analysis (Applied Biosystems). After controlling for the baseline levels of prosocial behavior, parental emotional warmth positively and significantly predicted adolescents’ prosocial behavior. Self-control mediated the link between parental emotional warmth and adolescents’ prosocial behavior. Furthermore, the MGPS moderated the mediating mechanism but not the direct impact of parental emotional warmth on adolescents’ prosocial behavior, and the model coefficients were invariant for mothers and fathers. Specifically, the MGPS moderated the effect of parental emotional warmth on self-control such that the effect was stronger in adolescents with higher MGPS than in those with lower MGPS. For adolescents with higher MGPS, parental emotional warmth was related to higher levels of self-control, which in turn increased prosocial behavior. However, this mediating effect was not observed among adolescents with lower MGPS. The results highlight the importance of examining multiple genes and endophenotypic mechanisms to explore the relationship between gene-environmental interactions and adolescents’ prosocial behavior and provide new evidence for the “environment×polygene-endophenotypic-behavior” research framework. References | Related Articles | Metrics

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Parental warmth and children’s prosocial behavior: The role of group orientation HAN Xianguo, JIN Guomin, LI Dan, LIU Shihong, WU Qin, LIU Junsheng, CHEN Xinyin 2025, 57 (4):  614-630.  doi: 10.3724/SP.J.1041.2025.0614 Abstract ( 492 )   PDF (554KB) ( 575 )   Peer Review Comments Prosocial behavior is a major aspect of social functioning in childhood and adolescence. Research has indicated relations between parental warmth and children’s prosocial behavior. However, the meachanims for the relations remain unclear, especially in non-Western countries. The primary purpose of the present longitudinal study was to explore the role of children’s group orientation in linking parental warmth and children’s prosocial behavior. Group orientation, characterized as concern for group welfare and interpersonal harmony, has been particularly emphasized in socialization and believed to regulate children’s behaviors in social interaction in Chinese collectivistic society. To address the gap in the literature, this study examined the transactional relations among perceived parental warmth, child group orientation, and child prosocial behavior with a focus on the mediating effects of group orientation. Multi-wave longitudinal data were collected each year from Grade 4 to Grade 6 in a sample of five randomly selected regular public elementary schools in China (initial N = 1033; 49.5% girls; initial Mage = 10.28 years, SD = 0.69). Data on parental warmth, group orientation, and prosocial behavior were obtained from multiple sources including self-reports and teacher ratings. Measurement invariance tests were first conducted for the measures with multiple indicators across three times of measurement. Next, latent cross-lagged panel models were constructed to examine the relations among maternal/paternal warmth, group orientation, and prosocial behavior controlling children’s gender and parental educational level. Multigroup analyses were also conducted to examine gender differences in the models. The results showed that maternal warmth positively predicted later prosocial behavior, and child prosocial behavior positively predicted later paternal warmth. Both paternal and maternal warmth positively predicted child group orientation, which in turn positively predicted child prosocial behavior; group orientation was a mediator of the contributions of parental warmth to prosocial behavior. Multigroup analyses showed no significant gender differences in the cross-lagged paths. The findings highlight the crucial role that group orientation plays in the link between parental warmth and children’s prosocial behavior. The study has significant implications for early intervention to promote children’s prosocial behavior. References | Related Articles | Metrics

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The relationship between awe and prosocial behavior: Three-level meta-analyses and meta-analytic structural equation modeling LIN Rongmao, YU Qiaohua, HU Tianxiang, ZHANG Jiumei, YE Yushan, LIAN Rong 2025, 57 (4):  631-651.  doi: 10.3724/SP.J.1041.2025.0631 Abstract ( 500 )   PDF (1655KB) ( 509 )   Peer Review Comments Awe and prosocial behavior are two crucial indicators of human social development. Their association has garnered widespread attention from researchers. The prosocial effects of awe are supported by the social functionalist theory of emotion as well as the broaden-and-build theory of positive emotions. Numerous empirical studies have found a positive relationship between awe and prosocial behavior, demonstrating that awe can promote prosocial behavior. However, some contradictory evidence suggest that awe may not always enhance individuals’ willingness to help, donate, or forgive others and may even diminish their prosocial tendencies. Such inconsistency may relate to factors such as the characteristics of awe, the attributes of prosocial behavior, cultural background, etc. Study 1 aimed to explore the correlation and causality between awe and prosocial behavior, along with their potential moderating variables. Furthermore, current studies primarily focus on either self-diminishment or self-transcendence, which can easily lead to the specious mediators problem. Study 2 built upon existing research to explore the mediating roles of self-diminishment and self-transcendence in the relationship between awe and prosocial behavior. A systematic literature review was conducted using multiple databases, including Web of Science, APA ProQuest, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, CNKI (China National Knowledge Infrastructure), CSTJD (China Science and Technology Journal Database), WFD (Wan Fang Data), and PsyArXiv (preprint platform). Data analyses were performed using the meta, metafor, and metaSEM packages in R 4.4.1. Three-level meta-analyses were performed to synthesize the effect sizes and conduct moderator analyses in Study 1. In Study 2, meta-analytic structural equation modeling (MASEM) was employed to synthesize previous mediation studies to explore the theoretical mechanisms underlying the prosocial effects of awe. Publication bias was assessed using Funnel Plots, Egger-MLMA regression tests, Trim and Fill, and Fail-Safe Number. Outlier and influence diagnostics were performed using SDR (studentized deleted residual), CD (Cook’s distance), and DFBETAS. Through literature search and screening, a total of 110 articles were included in Study 1, comprising 221 studies and 620 effect sizes, with a total sample size of 2, 961, 227 participants. Study 2 identified 33 articles, which included 42 studies and 42 correlation matrices, involving 30, 045 participants. The results of the three-level meta-analyses indicated the correlation between awe and prosocial behavior was significantly positive (r = 0.37, 95% CI [0.33, 0.41]), and awe could positively predict prosocial behavior (g = 0.59, 95% CI [0.48, 0.69]). Moderator analyses revealed that awe has greater prosocial effect when the cultural background was collectivist, the valence was positive, the eliciting factor was social, and the type of prosocial behavior was not restricted to individuals. Meanwhile, the association between awe and prosocial behavior was not moderated by induction methods (e.g., recall, video, music, image, text, and real situations) and prosocial costs. The results of the meta-analytic structural equation modeling showed that awe leads to prosocial behavior via self-diminishment and self-transcendence (with mediation effects of 0.060 and 0.070, respectively, accounting for 18.2% and 21.2% of the total effect, respectively). However, the chained mediating effect was not significant. The study systematically examines the prosocial effects of awe and the conditions that facilitate it. It provides a theoretical foundation for enhancing prosocial behavior through an emotional lens and contributing to the vision of a Community with a Shared Future for Mankind. Additionally, the findings support the psychological mechanisms of self-diminishment and self-transcendence, offering a systematic and integrated theoretical explanation for the prosocial effects of awe. References | Related Articles | Metrics

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Connecting or isolating: Investigating the influence of pandemic mortality salience on prosocial intention MENG Lu, TIAN Yuhao, WANG Haifei, DONG Jiayi, LIN Xingru, JI Hongwei, TIAN Qirui, ZHOU Liang 2025, 57 (4):  652-670.  doi: 10.3724/SP.J.1041.2025.0652 Abstract ( 374 )   PDF (716KB) ( 424 )   Peer Review Comments Research has found that mortality salience leads to increased engagement with a cultural worldview, as reflected in heightened prosocial intentions. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the influence of mortality salience on prosocial intention may be distinct. Pandemic mortality salience encompasses information from both pandemic and mortality saliences, with each representing a distinct facet. We hypothesized two opposing mechanisms: On one hand, pandemic salience activates the behavioral immune system, prompting individuals to avoid potential pathogen threats and consequently reducing their prosocial intention. On the other hand, mortality salience initiates cultural worldview defense, prompting individuals to identify with group beliefs and universal values, thus promoting prosocial intentions. Experiment 1 compared typical mortality salience (TMS) and pandemic mortality salience (PMS) conditions to pain salience (PS) control condition. We hypothesized that pandemic salience weakens mortality salience’s effect on promoting prosocial intention. Consequently, we expected that unlike in the TMS condition, pandemic prosocial intention (prosocial intention in pandemic scenarios) in the PMS condition would not significantly increase compared to the PS control condition. However, Experiment 1 was limited in that the TMS and PMS differed in nature, with the latter being more contextually oriented. Hence, Experiment 2 aimed to replicate the findings of Experiment 1 by replacing the TMS condition with the earthquake mortality salience (EMS) condition. Experiment 3 explored whether mortality salience also diminishes the effect of pandemic salience on reducing prosocial intention by comparing prosocial intention under the pandemic non-mortality salience (PNMS), PMS, and PS conditions. As the resource allocation task used to measure prosocial intention in Experiments 1 and 2 potentially led to lower ecological validity, Experiment 3 enhanced the measurement of prosocial intention by assessing volunteer willingness in two scenarios: with and without face-to-face interaction. Experiments 1-3 were conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic, and Experiment 5 was partially repeated in Experiment 3 in the post-pandemic era. Furthermore, Experiment 6 explored the effects of salience types on non-pandemic prosocial behavior (prosocial behavior unrelated to the pandemic). Experiment 4 served as a control experiment to assess the effectiveness of the salience manipulations. The results of Experiments 1 and 2 showed that compared to the PS control condition, pandemic prosocial intention increased in the TMS and EMS conditions, but not in the PMS condition. This suggests that pandemic salience in the PMS might attenuate the effect of mortality salience in promoting prosocial intention. Experiment 3 revealed that in face-to-face scenarios, participants in the PNMS condition exhibited a lower willingness to help than those in either the PS control or PMS condition, with no significant difference between the PS control and PMS conditions. These results suggest that mortality salience in the PMS may also weaken the effect of pandemic salience on reducing prosocial intention, thus confirming the initial hypothesis. In Experiment 5 (data collected after the end of the COVID-19 pandemic), there were no significant differences in pandemic prosocial intention among the PNMS, PMS, and PS conditions. However, a mediating effect of the behavioral immune system was observed. Furthermore, for non-pandemic prosocial intention, the PMS group showed higher levels than the control group (with marginal significance), suggesting that in the post-pandemic era, or when prosocial nature was unrelated to the pandemic, the reducing effect of pandemic salience on prosocial intention weakened, whereas the enhancing effect of mortality salience on prosocial intention became evident. Experiment 6 revealed no significant differences in non-pandemic prosocial behavior between the PNMS, PMS, and PS conditions, suggesting that the effects of salience types on non-pandemic prosocial intention in this study cannot be directly generalized to non-pandemic prosocial behavior. In conclusion, this study separated the effects of mortality and pandemic salience on prosocial intention and revealed that these effects manifest differently across different societal periods. References | Related Articles | Metrics

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Perceived robot threats reduce pro-social tendencies XU Liying, ZHANG Yuyan, YU Feng 2025, 57 (4):  671-699.  doi: 10.3724/SP.J.1041.2025.0671 Abstract ( 647 )   PDF (1483KB) ( 705 )   Peer Review Comments The advent of artificial intelligence (AI) presents an inevitable challenge to human society, raising concerns that range from the displacement of human jobs by robots to the increasingly ambiguous boundaries between humans and machines. This phenomenon is conceptualized as the realistic and symbolic threat posed by robots, which engenders collective angst among human beings. This collective angst reflects a concern for the future of the group, manifesting in negative emotions among group members apprehensive about their future. When a group perceives itself to be in crisis, societal cohesion may weaken, leading to increased divisions and aggression, and consequently, a decline in pro-social tendencies. Importantly, this decline is typically observed only toward out-group members, whereas the perceived robotic threat does not diminish pro-social behavior toward in-group members. Additionally, moral comparisons serve as a moderating factor in this dynamic. Downward moral comparisons, which enhance self-improvement and create a moral license that justifies both moral and immoral behaviors (e.g., a reduction in pro-social behaviors), suggest that the effect of robotic threat on pro-social tendencies is more pronounced among individuals who engage in such comparisons. This research consists of eight studies based on the basic hypothesis that perceived robotic threat reduces people's pro-social tendencies, with collective angst acting as a mediating mechanism, and inside-outside group and moral comparison tendencies moderating its effects. Studies 1a and 1b used pre-existing archival databases to calculate the relationship between perceived robot threat at the individual level and pro-social behavior at the national level. Study 2, on the other hand, used a questionnaire to examine collective angst as a mediating variable between robot threat and reduced pro-social tendencies. Study 3 experimentally manipulated robot threat to similarly validate the mediating role of collective angst. Study 4 excluded the influence of other potential mediators. Studies 5 and 6 also used experimental methods to respectively explore the moderating role of internal and external groups and moral comparison tendencies, and to clarify the boundary conditions between perceived robot threat reducing pro-social tendencies. Study 7 further validated the influence of perceived robot threat on prosocial behavior through behavioral observation. The main findings of this research are as follows. First, perceived robotic threat indeed reduces people's pro-social tendencies, even at the group level (Studies 1~7); Second, the mechanism is mediated by collective angst, that is, perceived robotic threat increases collective anxiety, which reduces pro-social tendencies in order to alleviate anxiety (Studies 2~4); Third, This effect is moderated by in-group and out-group distinction, whereas perceived robotic threat primarily reduces pro-social tendencies for out-group members (Study 5); Fourth, this effect is moderated by the tendency to make moral comparisons, that is, perceived robot threat mainly reduces pro-social tendencies for downward moral comparators (Study 6). As findings on the social consequences of robotic threats in prior research have been inconsistent, the results of this research strongly support the conclusion that robotic threats result in negative rather than positive interpersonal outcomes. The reason for this may be the difference between the internal and external groups that people psychologically delineate when they are faced with specific people to engage in interpersonal behavior after experiencing a robotic threat. Our research theoretically explains why robotic threats produce negative interpersonal outcomes. References | Related Articles | Metrics

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Collectivism promotes prosocial justice sensitivity: The role of communal responsibility WU Michael Shengtao, GAO Chenghai, HU Wanying, WANG Ning, PENG Kaiping 2025, 57 (4):  700-719.  doi: 10.3724/SP.J.1041.2025.0700 Abstract ( 749 )   PDF (1821KB) ( 784 )   Peer Review Comments The previous research on justice was deeply influenced by individualism, which overemphasized the calculation of individual rights and personal interests, while genuine justice dispositions reflect prosocial concerns for others’ suffering rather than self-centered concerns for one’s own interests. As a response to this cultural bias of justice research, the present research focused on the prosocial facets of justice sensitivity (JS) from the observer, beneficiary, and perpetrator perspectives, and examined whether and how prosocial JS was shaped by collectivism related to concern for others, and the moderation effect of reaction perspective and the mediation effect of communal responsibility. Three studies were conducted using a questionnaire survey of cultural traits and an experiment of cultural priming upon human participants, as well as a role play of cultural products like Large Language Models (e.g., GLM-4). Firstly, a survey was conducted to measure collectivist/individualistic traits, prosocial JS, and communal responsibility as well as norm conformity (n = 182, Study 1). Next, collectivism (vs. individualism) was primed via scrambled sentence tasks (n = 155, Study 2) and role playing in GLM-4 (n = 200, Study 3), and then situational collectivism, prosocial JS, communal responsibility, and norm conformity were measured. Regarding the relationship between collectivism and prosocial JS, a repeated-measured MANOVA was used to further test the moderation effect of reaction perspective (observer vs. beneficiary vs. perpetrator), and a simple mediation model was used to test the possible mediation effects of communal responsibility and norm conformity. In Study 1, the results showed that collectivism (but not individualism) was positively related to prosocial JS and its three facets, and this effect was mediated by communal responsibility (but not norm conformity). In Study 2, priming collectivism (vs. individualism) led to greater prosocial JS. Study 3 revealed that GLM-4 playing as the collectivist role, generated higher scores on prosocial JS, compared to those playing as the individualistic role. Moreover, a 2 (culture: collectivism vs. individualism) x 3 (perspective: observer vs. beneficiary vs. perpetrator) repeated-measure MANOVA revealed a significant moderation effect of perspective on collectivism and prosocial JS. In particular, compared to the observer perspective, the effects of collectivism on prosocial JS were stronger in beneficiary and perpetrator perspectives (Studies 2~3). Based on a range of methodological approaches, the current findings demonstrate that prosocial JS is shaped by collectivism, and this effect was mediated by communal responsibility (but not norm conformity) and moderated by reaction perspective, which represents a critical development in the shift of justice research paradigms from a focus on individual rights to communal responsibilities. This research offers insights into strategies for nurturing other-oriented prosocial justice within the complex dynamics of a post-individualism society and the burgeoning era of artificial intelligence. References | Related Articles | Metrics

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Anthropomorphic brands are more eco-friendly? The impact of anthropomorphic communication on green consumption tendency FENG Wenting, XUE Shuyun, WANG Tao 2025, 57 (4):  720-738.  doi: 10.3724/SP.J.1041.2025.0720 Abstract ( 536 )   PDF (2558KB) ( 582 )   Peer Review Comments As environmental issues become increasingly severe, promoting green consumption has emerged as an important pathway for sustainable development. However, consumers often lack expertise regarding eco-friendly products, which leads to skepticism about their environmental value and the actual impact of their green consumption, resulting in a low willingness to engage in such behaviors. While existing research has examined the influence of the environmental information communicated by brands on consumers' green consumption tendencies, it has frequently overlooked strategies to enhance consumers' effective assessment of this information. With the rise of social media, brands have made notable progress in conveying environmental information through anthropomorphic communication. Nevertheless, further exploration is needed to understand how this approach can positively influence consumers' green consumption tendencies and the underlying mechanisms involved. Drawing on learned evaluability theory, we analyze the impact of brand anthropomorphic communication on green consumption tendencies from a cognitive processing perspective, aiming to provide insights into the future development of green markets. This research involves four experiments. Experiment 1 validates that brand anthropomorphic communication can effectively promote green consumption tendencies and confirms the mediating role of environmental value sensitivity in the relationship between anthropomorphic communication and green consumption tendencies; this constructs a complete causal chain that links anthropomorphic communication to learned evaluability, then to environmental value sensitivity, and finally to green consumption tendencies. Experiment 2 delineates the boundaries of the main effect, revealing that the impact of anthropomorphic communication on consumption tendencies is more pronounced in the context of green consumption. Experiment 3 examines the moderating effect of consumer motivation type (egoistic vs. altruistic) on the main effect. Experiment 4 investigates the moderating role of product type (search products vs. experience products) on the main effect. The findings indicate that brands employing anthropomorphic communication can increase consumers' learned evaluability, thereby increasing their sensitivity to the brand's environmental value and ultimately promoting their green consumption tendencies. When consumers' altruistic motivation is activated, anthropomorphic communication significantly increases their green consumption tendencies; conversely, when egoistic motivation is activated, no significant effect is observed. Additionally, when the product is a search product, anthropomorphic communication significantly promotes green consumption tendencies, whereas this effect is not evident for experience products. These insights offer new perspectives on the application of anthropomorphic communication strategies, highlighting the importance of consumer motivation and product type in brand communication. This study makes a series of theoretical contributions. First, it enriches the literature on the influence of anthropomorphic communication on green consumption tendencies and elucidates how this communication affects such tendencies. Second, this study is the first to apply learned evaluability theory to explain the influence of anthropomorphic communication on green consumption tendencies, revealing a novel process by which environmental value sensitivity is triggered. Furthermore, the findings confirm the moderating effects of product type and motivation type, establishing explicit boundary conditions. References | Related Articles | Metrics