Spirituality,the opiate of scholars of religion?

This review discusses Craig Martin’s approach to religious individualism and more widely the ways in which social scientists can make sense of individuals’ identities, beliefs and practice, as these seem more volatile and eclectic than ever. In particular, it is interested in the ‘critical’ study of religion developed in Capitalizing Religion. This review underscores the convergence between this book and other recent works regarding epistemological weaknesses affecting the contemporary study of religion (and in particular the ‘paradigm of spirituality’). It discusses Martin’s original contributions – in particular, a critical analysis of the ideological origins and biases underlying the categorisation of freely chosen spirituality vs. coercive religion. Finally, this review tries to further Capitalizing Religion’s argument by drawing on my own empirical work on the popularisation of meditation, yoga and kabbalah, sharing Martin’s critical approach and interest for the ways in which social structure and cultural norms affect individuals’ religious life.     

Differences in psychosocial factors and fat consumption between stages of change for fat reduction

Abstract

Differences in fat consumption and psychosocial factors between subjects in different trans-theoretical stages of change for fat reduction were studied. Data on fat consumption, self-rated fat intake, attitudes, social support and self-efficacy were collected among a sample of 507 adults. Analysis of variance with Scheffe's multiple-comparison test was used to study differences in these factors between stages of change. Attitudes and social support were most positive among subjects in preparation and action. Self-efficacy expectations were lowest among subjects in contemplation and preparation. Fat consumption was highest among precontemplators hut no substantial differences between other stages were found. It is concluded that subjects in different stages of change differ in psychosocial factors that are regarded as important determinants of behavioral change. Based on these differences it is recommended to develop stage-tailored nutrition education. A majority of subjects in maintenance consumed more fat than is recommended. Therefore, it is suggested that the usually applied staging algorithms might need adjustment for a valid application in nutrition research.     

Protecting the self through consumption: Status goods as affirmational commodities

Individuals conspicuously consume to signal their wealth. As a variant to this economic explanation, four studies explored individual’s psychological need for self-integrity as a potential motivating force for these consumption decisions. Relying on both field and experimental studies, and employing multiple instantiations of high-status goods and self-threat, we demonstrate that individuals consume status-infused products for their reparative effects on the ego. Individuals under self-threat sought ownership of high-status goods to nurse their psychological wounds (Study 1), and when afforded an alternate route to repair their self-integrity, sought these products less (Study 2). Furthermore, among a representative sample of US consumers, low-income individuals’ lowered self-esteem drove their willingness to spend on high-status goods (Study 3). Finally, these high-status goods serve the purpose of shielding an individual’s ego from future self-threats (Study 4). The compensatory role of high-status goods has important implications for consumer decision-making and public policies aimed at reducing consumer debt.     

谁更愿意购买绿色产品？认识绿色消费者

绿色消费虽然备受关注但消费者积极性却不高,这可能和个体差异性有关。为了考察绿色消费的积极性,本研究从个体差异的视角出发,引入购买时间距离这一变量,以揭示面对绿色产品的矛盾性消费者究竟更愿现在购买还是将来,决策模式是否会存在个体差异。研究发现,时间距离调节绿色消费观与产品购买意愿的关系,而产品价值感知部分中介了该调节作用。具体来说,绿色消费者不会受到时间框定的影响,而非绿色消费者则表现出时间框定效应即更倾向于在将来而不是现在购买绿色产品;这是因为绿色消费观以自上而下的方式影响绿色消费者动机加工,使绿色产品的价值感知较为稳定,而非绿色消费者的价值感知则根据购买时间距离的不同而变化。研究结果说明在生态文明建设日益紧迫的当下培育个体绿色消费观具有重要的意义。     

进化心理学视角:童年环境、价值观影响绿色消费行为的实证研究

从进化心理学视角探究童年环境、成年人价值观和绿色消费的关系,为培养健康理性的消费行为提供有益启示。通过专项问卷调查收集1028个样本,运用方差分析、线性回归等进行实证分析。研究发现个体童年SES显著正向影响成年后的绿色消费行为,物质主义价值观在二者之间起显著中介效应;传统价值观显著正向影响绿色消费,且在物质主义影响绿色消费过程中起调节效应;绿色消费也会随着代际、教育程度、职业类型和当前SES的不同而呈现一定差异。     

绿色消费的困境：身份建构抑或环境关心?

绿色消费具有道德属性, 消费者既有可能是为了建构道德身份, 实现自我保护或自我提升(自我导向), 也有可能是源于内在的道德信念, 实现对环境的关心(环境导向)。基于身份建构的绿色消费会导致行为不稳定、甚至撒谎和盗窃等, 其心理机制是道德自我调节; 基于环境关心的绿色消费则与之相反, 它植根于更广泛的道德联想网络, 与节俭、自我控制等紧密相关, 道德认同机制在其中发挥作用。那么, 究竟是身份建构还是环境关心呢?在阐述调节因素基础上, 我们构建了基于个体生活方式的绿色消费模型, 从个体差异的视角回答了该问题。未来研究需要从理论和实践上进一步展开。