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Do Nice Guys — and Gals — Really Finish Last? The Joint Effects of Sex and Agreeableness on Income

August 15, 2011 Comments off

Do Nice Guys — and Gals — Really Finish Last? The Joint Effects of Sex and Agreeableness on Income (PDF)
Source: Journal of Personality and Social Psychology (forthcoming)

Sex and agreeableness were hypothesized to affect income, such that women and agreeable individuals were hypothesized to earn less than men and less agreeable individuals. Because agreeable men disconfirm (and disagreeable men confirm) conventional gender roles, agreeableness was expected to be more negatively related to income for men (i.e., the pay gap between agreeable men and agreeable women would be smaller than the gap between disagreeable men and disagreeable women). The hypotheses were supported across four studies. Study 1 confirmed the effects of sex and agreeableness on income and that the agreeableness – income relationship was significantly more negative for men than for women. Study 2 replicated these results, controlling for each of the other Big Five traits. Study 3 also replicated the interaction, and explored explanations and paradoxes of the relationship. A fourth study, using an experimental design, yielded evidence for the argument that the joint effects of agreeableness and gender are due to backlash against agreeable men.

Categories: business and economics, gender and sexuality, Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, psychology and sociology, salaries and wages

Friends With Benefits: On the Positive Consequences of Pet Ownership

July 13, 2011 Comments off

Friends With Benefits: On the Positive Consequences of Pet Ownership (PDF)
Source: Journal of Personality and Social Psychology

Social support is critical for psychological and physical well-being, reflecting the centrality of belongingness in our lives. Human interactions often provide people with considerable social support, but can pets also fulfill one’s social needs? Although there is correlational evidence that pets may help individuals facing significant life stressors, little is known about the well-being benefits of pets for everyday people. Study 1 found in a community sample that pet owners fared better on several well-being (e.g., greater self-esteem, more exercise) and individual-difference (e.g., greater conscientiousness, less fearful attachment) measures. Study 2 assessed a different community sample and found that owners enjoyed better well-being when their pets fulfilled social needs better, and the support that pets provided complemented rather than competed with human sources. Finally, Study 3 brought pet owners into the laboratory and experimentally demonstrated the ability of pets to stave off negativity caused by social rejection. In summary, pets can serve as important sources of social support, providing many positive psychological and physical benefits for their owners.

Categories: Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, psychology and sociology, veterinary medicine and animal welfare
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