Browsing by Theses - Programme "Master of Philosophy in Psychology"

Although the association between aggression and problematic pornography use (PPU) is documented, the association between trait aggression and online form of PPU, and the role of Sexual-Aggressive Fulfilment Pornography Use Expectancy (SAF) and trait self-control in the relationship are understudied. The present study examines the psychological mechanisms of trait aggression associated to problematic online adult pornography use (POAPU). Two waves of data collection were conducted to test the associations cross-sectionally and longitudinally. 1986 Chinese and 1396 US, and 861 Chinese and 628 US valid responses on online questionnaires were received from online crowdsourcing platforms in November 2023, and November 2024. The results of Part 1 study revealed that SAF mediates the relationship between trait aggression and POAPU, while trait self-control moderates the relationship between trait aggression and SAF. A stronger mediation effect of SAF and the negative mediation effect of T1 SAF in the second part among the Chinese sample underscore significant cross-country differences in the development of POAPU. Furthermore, the results of Part 2 study showed significant mediation effect of T2 SAF and moderation effect of T1 trait self-control on the relationship between T1 trait aggression and T2 SAF among Chinese sample, and on the relationship between T1 trait aggression and T2 POAPU among US sample, suggesting the cross-country difference on the buffering effect of trait self-control. These findings illuminate the importance of cross-country sensitivity in understanding the associations among trait aggression, trait self-control, SAF, and POAPU, and relevant implications are discussed.

130 Pages

Grounded in Embodied Cognition and Dual Process Theory, motor activities shape System 1 (intuitive) and System 2 (deliberative) thinking tendencies, influencing decision-making behavior. Previous research studied the impact of tactile engagement via touchscreen interaction versus indirect pointing interaction through mouse usage in simple selection tasks and online purchasing related of tangible products, leaving a research gap in regarding intangible task like stock investment, which involve risk assessment and uncertainty in decision-making. Study 1 employed a between-group design where participants engaged in stock portfolio allocation in a laboratory setting. It was hypothesized that touchscreen users would perceive lower risks and make bolder decisions while spending less time on tasks and relying less on textual information. Results showed that touchscreen users exhibited higher systematic risk with no difference in perceived risk when controlling for task interest, and viewed the task as less realistic. However, contrary to hypotheses, they spent more time focusing on textual information when total task time was controlled. Study 2 involved a two-week stock trading simulation using a within-group design under dynamic market conditions, providing a more realistic approximation of investment behavior. Participants reported lower perceived risk for buy trades while trading on touchscreens, although, no significant differences in systematic risk were found, contrarily to Study 1. Touchscreen users also rated the task as less realistic and demonstrated higher hedonic orientation when controlling for stock investment experience and device usage habits, respectively. Across both studies, touchscreen users demonstrated a tendency to take greater risks than anticipated compared to mouse users. These results support the notion that the interaction modality shapes cognitive processes related to risk perception, leading to increased risk-taking in complex contexts. Touchscreen interaction promotes System 1 thinking, influencing risk assessment and decision-making behavior. Future research should examine strategies to help users make informed decisions that align with their expectations, particularly for risk-sensitive products.

169 pages