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An antidote to fear: exploring death reflection as a predictor of pro-social values

dc.contributor.authorCanning, Brian A., author
dc.contributor.authorSteger, Michael F., advisor
dc.contributor.authorDik, Bryan J., committee member
dc.contributor.authorSnodgrass, Jeffrey, committee member
dc.date.accessioned2020-06-22T11:52:37Z
dc.date.available2020-06-22T11:52:37Z
dc.date.issued2020
dc.description.abstractIn over three decades of terror management theory (TMT) research, results have continuously pointed towards one grave lesson: that unchecked fear of death can lead to terrible outcomes both for the self and for the world at large. TMT research has connected mortality salience (MS) manipulations (reminding one of their mortality) to increases in greed, racism, political extremism and a host of other negative outcomes (Greenberg, Schimel, Martens, Solomon, & Pyszcznyski, 2001; Hirschberger et al., 2016; Kasser & Sheldon, 2000). While negative outcomes have been thoroughly outlined in the research, less attention has been given to investigating ways to ameliorate these problematic effects and to reveal healthier, more productive ways to engage with our mortality. The death reflection (DR) manipulation—in which participants actively imagine their simulated death and engage in reflection and perspective taking—has shown promise in bridging this gap (Cozzolino et al., 2004). The research on this manipulation and corresponding theory is at this juncture minimal, and further development is needed. Study 1 sought to replicate Cozzolino et al's findings from their (2004) study, where DR was found to produce significantly less greedy behavior when compared to MS. This study was not able to find significant effects, despite having a larger sample than the original study. The findings of this study generate questions about the effects of MS and DR manipulations, which are explored in detail. Study 2 sought to test for changes in values from the DR manipulation through a new Emergent Values Measure (EVM) protocol that used free listing and sorting methodologies. This study was unable to demonstrate a strong statistical relationship between that measure and the Aspirations Index (AI), which impeded further comparison and analysis. The data for these studies is explored, and implications for future research are detailed.
dc.format.mediumborn digital
dc.format.mediummasters theses
dc.identifierCanning_colostate_0053N_15926.pdf
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/10217/208439
dc.languageEnglish
dc.language.isoeng
dc.publisherColorado State University. Libraries
dc.relation.ispartof2020-
dc.rightsCopyright and other restrictions may apply. User is responsible for compliance with all applicable laws. For information about copyright law, please see https://libguides.colostate.edu/copyright.
dc.subjectexistential
dc.subjectpost-traumatic growth
dc.subjectterror management theory
dc.subjectmeaning
dc.subjectdeath reflection
dc.subjectpro-social
dc.titleAn antidote to fear: exploring death reflection as a predictor of pro-social values
dc.typeText
dcterms.rights.dplaThis Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights (https://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/). You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).
thesis.degree.disciplinePsychology
thesis.degree.grantorColorado State University
thesis.degree.levelMasters
thesis.degree.nameMaster of Science (M.S.)

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