Embodied Cognition and Humor: The Impact of Weight Sensations on Humor Experience and the Moderating Role of Gender

Research in the field of embodied cognition has shown that incidental weight sensations influence people’s evaluation of different issues. The present study expands the scope of weight-related embodiment research and investigates whether experienced funniness of cartoons is affected by haptic sensorimotor experiences. We found an interaction between gender and weight sensations (light versus heavy clipboard) on the experienced funniness of nonsense cartoons. The experienced funniness in male recipients was enhanced by heaviness, but this effect was reversed in the group of females. The effect was also present when inferring the funniness experience of other recipients. Moreover, the participants’ general mood was worsened by heaviness. Weight did not affect the extent to which serious social issues are considered with humor, but men showed a stronger tendency to do so. Overall, the results expand the current scope in embodiment research, highlight the necessity to consider inter-individual differences in this field and introduce new aspects to humor research.     

Salespersons’ empathy as a missing link in the customer orientation–loyalty chain: an investigation of drivers and age differences as a contingency

Salespersons’ customer orientation has attracted considerable attention from practitioners and researchers. By distinguishing customer-oriented attitude from behavior, this study sheds light on customers’ perceptions of salespersons’ empathy, as a missing link between customer orientation and customer-related outcomes. Noting the increasing age diversity among salespersons and customers, this study also investigates whether age differences in salesperson–customer dyads moderate the relationships of salespersons’ customer-oriented attitude and behavior with customer outcomes. Finally, this study examines salespersons’ climate perceptions as antecedents of their customer-oriented attitudes. Results of multilevel modeling with data from 164 salespersons and 405 customers reveal that salesperson empathy, as perceived by customers, is an important facilitator of the customer orientation–satisfaction relationship. When there are large age differences, salespersons’ customer-oriented attitude becomes more important for making customers feel understood by salespersons. Regarding antecedents, salespersons’ customer-oriented attitude is influenced by their perceptions of team-member exchange and age-inclusive climate.     

What does it take to be a virtual team player? The knowledge,skills, abilities,and other characteristics required in virtual teams

Competency models are available for many aspects of work that cut across various occupations (such as leadership, teamwork, etc.). Although virtual teamwork has developed to a highly prevalent aspect of work, very little is known about the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics (KSAOs) required. In the current study, KSAO requirements of virtual and traditional business teams (n = 175 and 205, respectively) were compared and aligned to the Great Eight competency model. Results showed that KSAOs pertaining to Leading and Deciding and to Analyzing and Interpreting were more important in virtual teams. Conversely, virtual and traditional teams did not differ in terms of broad personality (Big Five) requirements. Together, these findings contribute to deeper knowledge on selection and training in virtual teams.     

社会认知中归纳推论－演绎推论的不对称性现象

在社会知觉中,人们会较多的根据个体的行为表现推论其所具有的人格特质（归纳推论）,较少根据人格特质来推论个体的行为表现（演绎推论）,Maass将这一现象命名为归纳推论－演绎推论的不对称性,并在西方文化下验证了这一现象。刻板印象在这一不对称性现象中起着调节作用,行为信息与刻板印象是否一致影响了归纳推论,对与刻板印象一致的信息更易做出归纳推论,而对演绎推论没有影响。在不同的文化背景下,归纳推论－演绎推论的不对称性表现存在差异,东方文化下的个体对两种推论过程没有表现出明显的倾向性。本文介绍了这一现象的表现,并总结了产生这一社会现象的内在原因及相关的研究进展。     

论子夏之学及其在后世的影响与流变

子夏之学基本特征是:在现实上表现为求成效的事务主义,在学术上表现为穷经的章句之学。这种特征可用小人儒名之而与君子儒相对,君子儒盖指内及于性,外达于天之儒,为思孟学派之特质,得孔子之道的正宗者。孔子之后,能绍述之者乃曾子,其后的子思与孟子俱依此而弘教。子夏与曾子并为孔子后期开坛授徒之弟子,但子夏德行存养上的弱使子夏之学沦为了小人儒,故其内不能及于性,外不能达于道,而形上之道缺焉。子夏之儒的事务主义在后世为荀卿所继承,其流变为法家;而其章句之学在汉代则流为家法传经。二者俱远离孔子之道的真精神。     

Still in the Mood: The Versatility of Subjunctive Markers in Modal Logic

We investigate and compare two major approaches to enhancing the expressive capacities of modal languages, namely the addition of subjunctive markers on the one hand, and the addition of scope-bearing actuality operators, on the other. It turns out that the subjunctive marker approach is not only every bit as versatile as the actuality operator approach, but that it in fact outperforms its rival in the context of cross-world predication.

     

Linking daily ethical leadership to followers’ daily behaviour: the roles of daily work engagement and previous abusive supervision

The aim of this study was to advance literature on ethical leadership towards its day-level application. Daily ethical leadership is defined as ethical leadership behaviours a leader exhibits on a given day. Beneficial effects of daily ethical leadership on daily helping behaviour and daily counterproductive work behaviour via daily work engagement were examined. Furthermore, yesterday’s abusive supervision was postulated to moderate the impact of today’s ethical leadership on work engagement indicating moderated mediation. The relationship between daily ethical leadership and daily work engagement should be stronger when previous abusive supervision was high. This model was tested using an experience sampling methodology spread over 5 working days. The sample consisted of 241 employees from different organizations. Results supported the beneficial indirect impact of daily ethical leadership on daily helping through strengthening daily work engagement. The indirect effect was non-significant for daily counterproductive work behaviour. Consistent with theoretical assumptions, both indirect effects were strongest with high previous abusive supervision and diminished when previous abusive supervision was low. Implications for leadership research and managerial practice are discussed.     

Psychological Well-Being as an Additional Outcome Parameter in the Treatment of Patients with Gambling Disorder: Results from a Clinical Multicenter Follow-Up Study

According to the World Health Organization well-being has been defined as one outcome parameter indicating successful recovery from diseases. One disease causing significant psychosocial problems and distress is Gambling Disorder that is being characterized as a poorly controlled excessive engagement in gambling activities. While there are several studies investigating treatment-effects in patients with Gambling Disorder, the role of well-being as a complementary treatment outcome has not been studied so far. In our research project it was aimed to fill this gap by gathering data on changes of eudaimonic dimensions of well-being from 76 patients with Gambling Disorder before and 1 year after receiving inpatient treatment. At both waves (pretreatment and follow-up) we collected data regarding well-being (Ryff Scales of Well-being), psychopathological symptoms (SCL-9), and diagnostic criteria for Gambling Disorder (Lie/Bet-Questionnaire). We found some dimensions of well-being changing 1 year after treatment and that patients recovered from Gambling Disorder displayed significant increments in Autonomy and Environmental Mastery. In contrast, patients still meeting criteria for Gambling Disorder displayed well-being increments only in Environmental Mastery and decreases in Personal Growth and Positive Relations with Others. Only changes in Environmental Mastery and Self-Acceptance were significantly associated with decreases in psychosocial distress indicating that well-being is an additional indicator for treatment outcome. It was also intended to identify factors predicting increments in well-being. However, no relationships were found regarding demographics, clinical variables, or treatment parameters. It is proposed to acknowledge well-being as an additional indicator for treatment effects and suggested to implement therapeutic strategies for an early enhancement of well-being.