Universität zu Köln

Stavrova, Olga, Ehlebracht, Daniel and Vohs, Kathleen D. (2020). Victims, Perpetrators, or Both? The Vicious Cycle of Disrespect and Cynical Beliefs About Human Nature. J. Exp. Psychol.-Gen., 149 (9). S. 1736 - 1755. WASHINGTON: AMER PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOC. ISSN 1939-2222

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Abstract

We tested how cynicism emerges and what maintains it. Cynicism is the tendency to believe that people are morally bankrupt and behave treacherously to maximize self-interest. Drawing on literatures on norms of respectful treatment, we proposed that being the target of disrespect gives rise to cynical views, which predisposes people to further disrespect. The end result is a vicious cycle: cynicism and disrespect fuel one another. Study 1's nationally representative survey showed that disrespect and cynicism are positively related to each other in 28 of 29 countries studied, and that cynicism's associations with disrespect were independent of (and stronger than) associations with lacking social support. Study 2 used a nationally representative longitudinal dataset, spanning 4 years. In line with the vicious cycle hypothesis, feeling disrespected and holding cynical views gave rise to each other over time. Five preregistered experiments (including 2 in the online supplemental materials) provided causal evidence. Study 3 showed that bringing to mind previous experiences of being disrespected heightened cynical beliefs subsequently. Studies 4 and 5 showed that to the extent that people endorsed cynical beliefs, others were inclined to treat them disrespectfully. Study 6's weeklong daily diary study replicated the vicious cycle pattern. Everyday experiences of disrespect elevated cynical beliefs and vice versa. Moreover, cynical individuals tended to treat others with disrespect, which in turn predicted more disrespectful treatment by others. In short, experiencing disrespect gives rise to cynicism and cynicism elicits disrespect from others, thereby reinforcing the worldview that caused these negative reactions in the first place.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID ORCID Put Code Stavrova, Olga UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Ehlebracht, Daniel UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Vohs, Kathleen D. UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED
URN:	urn:nbn:de:hbz:38-322174
DOI:	10.1037/xge0000738
Journal or Publication Title:	J. Exp. Psychol.-Gen.
Volume:	149
Number:	9
Page Range:	S. 1736 - 1755
Date:	2020
Publisher:	AMER PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOC
Place of Publication:	WASHINGTON
ISSN:	1939-2222
Language:	English
Faculty:	Unspecified
Divisions:	Unspecified
Subjects:	no entry
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Keywords Language GOODNESS-OF-FIT; SOCIAL SUPPORT; PSYCHOSOCIAL VULNERABILITY; JUSTICE SENSITIVITY; HOSTILITY; RESPECT; VICTIMIZATION; SCALES; HEALTH; (DIS)RESPECT Multiple languages Psychology, Experimental Multiple languages
URI:	http://kups.ub.uni-koeln.de/id/eprint/32217