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

This study investigates two major aims: (1) the balancing interaction within a 2×2 valence-arousal matrix, and (2) the perceptual effects resulting from a balancing positioning. Additionally, it extends existing findings on taste perception to other domains while exploring the role of warm-soft signals in alleviating sadness. Study 1 (N=142 local undergraduates) tested whether warm-soft items (positioned diagonally opposite to sadness in a valence-arousal matrix) are preferred when comforting distressed friends. Participants selected one out of the four food and object items, with each representing one of the quadrants of the dimensional framework. Results revealed a significant preference for warm-soft items, with warmth being more salient for foods (likely due to the facilitative relationship between heat and flavor) and softness being more important for objects (possibly linked to tactile gestures when holding small items). Study 2 (N=148) examined the balancing perceptual changes under sadness induction when exposed to warm-soft stimuli. For food, participants reported reduced warmth perception (possibly due to evaporative heat loss) but an amplified softness experience (likely occurs from the comparison of the warmth signals attenuating over time). No significant effects were found for objects, potentially due to insufficient warmth and softness signals to evoke a balancing restoration response. Future research should include pressure measurement and enhance thermal baselines to clarify these effects in object stimuli.

43 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

This study investigates how prospective graduates in Hong Kong view hope and aims to identify themes and structures related to hope. Seventeen participants from eight higher education institutions, including second-year associate degree or higher diploma students and third- and fourth-year bachelor's students, were recruited through purposive sampling. Reflexive Thematic Analysis (Braun & Clarke, 2019) was used for the first part of the study. A flowchart was created to illustrate how participants view hope, covering internal and external elements, hope itself, its consequences, and factors influencing adjustability. In the second part, network analysis was used to investigate relationships among themes. The findings show that hope among prospective graduates is multifaceted and can be broadly categorised into four major domains: externally oriented, internally oriented, hope itself, and action led by hope. It was found that the cognitive approach (e.g., Snyder, 2002) was not enough to capture the multiple dimensions of hope, and a special environment during the COVID-19 period was considered for illustration. The implications of the findings from Reflexive Thematic Analysis and Network Analysis, and their relevance to evaluating prospective graduates’ hope, were discussed.

252 pages