Social motives

Between the individual and the group: the others

What happens when we feel empathy for one individual in need while we are aware of the presence of others who may have similar needs? According to the “one-among-others” effect, we propose that in this situation can elicit the copresence of different motives (e.g., altruism and justice) that may conflict with each other. Under these circumstances, the decision to help will be influenced by the extent to which the situation either prevents or allows to resolve such conflict. Our work is focused on analyzing this kind of situation at four levels: perceptual, emotional, motivational, and behavioral.

Empathy toward the Other and Awareness of Others (Oceja & Jiménez, 2007)

Overcoming Empathy-induced Partiality (Oceja, 2008)

When the victim is one-among-others (Oceja et al., 2010)

One-among-others effect (Oceja, Stocks, & Lishner, 2010)

Proposing a new social motive: Quixoteism

Is there a motive with the ultimate goal of increasing the welfare of the world? If so, which factors could activate it? How would it influence on our behavior. Up to date, we have conducted a series of studies that suggest the existence of this kind of motive, and we are currently working on analyzing its antecedents (e.g., orientation toward trascendental change) and consequents (e.g., performing heroic behaviors).

Towards a Characterization of Quixoteism (Salgado & Oceja, 2011).

Doctoral Dissertation. Quixoteism. Sergio Salgado.