Browsing by Author "Van Vugt, Mark"

Now showing 1 - 6 of 6

Collective Action in Social Dilemmas: The Impact of Group Identification on the Selection and Cooperation with Leaders
(1998) Van Vugt, Mark; De Cremer, David
"Two experimental studies investigated the role of group identification in the selection and cooperation with a leader to manage a public good dilemma. The findings of the first study revealed that there was a general preference to select leaders with a legitimate power base (i.e., democratic, elected, and internal, rather than autocratic, appointed, and external leaders), but these preferences were particularly pronounced when people's identification with their group was high rather than low. The second study complemented these findings by showing that when group identification was high a relational leader (i.e., who builds positive intragroup relations) was as efficient as an instrumental leader (i.e., who punishes noncontributing members) in raising contributions. However, when group identification was low an instrumental leader appeared to be far more effective. These findings suggest that effectiveness of leaders in managing social dilemmas will depend upon the match between characteristics of the leader and group."
Collective Identity and Cooperation in a Public Goods Dilemma: A Matter of Trust or Self-Efficacy?
(1998) De Cremer, David; Van Vugt, Mark
"According to Self-Categorization Theory people may define their self-concept in terms of collective identity when engaged in intergroup comparisons and in terms of personal identity when engaged in interpersonal comparisons. This difference in level of categorization (collective versus personal identity) is believed to affect the extent people identify with their group and subsequently their behavior in social dilemma situations. The present study investigates whether people contribute more in a public goods dilemma when collective identity is made salient than when personal identity is made salient, and further which processes may underlie this behavioral effect. Results revealed that people identified more strongly with the collective and contributed more when collective identity was made salient compared to when personal identity was made salient. Furthermore, this behavioral effect seemed to be mediated by perceptions of self-efficacy rather than by perceptions of the trustworthiness of peoples' fellow group members."
Community Identification Moderating the Impact of Financial Incentives in a Natural Resource Dilemma
(1999) Van Vugt, Mark
"The role of community identification was investigated in determining the effect of different tariff systems on domestic resource use (i.e., water). To this end, over a nine month interval both consumption and survey data were collected in 278 households in the UK, 203 of which were on a variable tariff (i.e., charges are related to use) and 75 on a fixed tariff (i.e., charges are unrelated to use). Adopting a social dilemma approach, we expected a variable tariff, compared to a fixed tariff, to be associated with more sustainable water use, in particular in a period when resources were relatively short. Furthermore, in the absence of a financial incentive to conserve (fixed tariff), resource use was expected to be moderated by the extent to which people identified with their community. These hypotheses received substantial support and they were confirmed by an experimental study simulating the resource dilemma in a laboratory setting. The implications of these findings for the management of scarce natural resources in society are discussed."
Managing Natural Resource Dilemmas through Structural Change: The Psychological Effects of Water Metering
(1997) Van Vugt, Mark
"This chapter examines the behavioral and psychological effects of a structural intervention in a natural resource dilemma — the implementation of water meters. Based upon social-psychological research into social dilemmas, it is proposed that metering helps to promote efficient resource management, first, because it gives households a direct financial incentive to conserve. In addition, there are numerous psychological side-benefits associated with this structural change. For example, metering increases the personal efficacy to conserve as well as enhances concerns with responsible resource use. Moreover, metering is likely to raise expectations about others' conservation efforts and is considered to be socially more fair. We wil l present evidence from different studies, showing the beneficial effects of metering in promoting conservation, particularly during a resource crisis. Our analysis has important implications for the development of theories and programs to promote resource management."
Social Dilemmas and Transportation Decisions
(1996) Van Vugt, Mark
Research Overview: "The present dissertation extends and complements prior transportation research by examining the decision to commute by car versus public transportation or carpooling from a social dilemma viewpoint. Providing a conceptual framework consisting of interdependence theory...) and insights derived from the extant social dilemma literature..., this approach assumes that commuting patterns are shaped by the individual construals and perceptions of the decision situation. It is further assumed that these construals will vary as a function of the salience of self-interest versus collective interest, which may be motivational forces stimulating people to pursue their self-interest or the collective interest."
When Do People Support Institutional Change? Towards a Socio-Psychological Theory of Collective Action
(1998) Van Vugt, Mark
"This research tested the adequacy of a dependence model to predict when people vote for a change in authorities representing them. Based on concepts derived from interdependence theory, this model assumes that people will support institutional change to the extent that they (a) are less satisfied with outcomes provided by these authorities, (b) consider them as less legitimate, (c) perceive better alternatives, and (d) smaller transition costs. Together these four factors are believed to reduce people's loyalty toward the authorities in place, which positively affects their support for change. This social-psychological theory of collective action received considerable support in three separate voting events: (a) the 1992 and (b) 1997 UK general elections, and (c) the 1997 devolution referendum in Wales. The implications of the model for understanding collective action and institutional change in society will be discussed."