Digital Commons Network^™

Managing Human Sources: Identification And Management Of Motivation, Tiffany Mckenzie, Pamela Henry, Nikki Rajakaruna

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Human Source management is a critical function of intelligence and evidence collection by law enforcement and intelligence agencies across the world. Understanding the motivations of Human Sources is key to gaining high intelligence yields. Yet research which explores Human Source motivation, from a handler’s perspective, is limited. Even more limited is research which considers how motivation is identified and managed by law enforcement agencies across the course of a Human Source’s engagement with an agency. This research explores the experiences and perceptions of Human Source handlers from two Australian law enforcement agencies via semi-structured interviews (N = 17). Handlers highlighted …

Persistence Of Contested Value Cocreation Practices, Kim Feddema, Kaisa Koskela-Huotari, Paul Harrigan

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The climate crisis and other global challenges make it clear that not only are new value cocreation practices (VCPs) needed, but some current VCPs must be discontinued. Prior service literature assumes that VCPs can be disrupted by reforming the institutions that govern them. However, empirical observations show that VCPs may persist even when targeted by institutional work, and recent organizational research points to contested practices that continue to be enacted even when challenged or criticized. To understand this phenomenon in value cocreation, we conducted an embedded case study of exotic pet-keeping—a set of VCPs that continue despite intervention efforts. Our …

Effect Of Traditional And Cluster Set Structures On Bar Path Kinematics During High-Volume Power Clean Training, Tsuyoshi Nagatani, Shayne Vial, Kristina L. Kendall, Paul Comfort, Jiahao Yang, G. Gregory Haff

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of traditional (TRAD) and cluster (CLU) set structures on bar path kinematics during a series of high-volume power clean sets, and compare insights gained from discrete versus waveform analysis. Twenty participants completed TRAD or CLU protocols in a randomised, crossover design. Each protocol involved three sets of nine repetitions at 70% of one-repetition maximum. In CLU sets, a 30-second inter-repetition rest was applied. During TRAD sets, peak velocity declined, and significant (p ≤ 0.05) changes were observed in both vertical and horizontal barbell displacement across repetitions, indicating fatigue-related technical alterations. …

State Responsibility For Violations Of International Humanitarian Law And Human Rights Law By Private Security Companies In Africa: The Case Of The Wagner Group And Africa Corps, Shannon Joy Bosch, Matthew Kimble

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The outsourcing of traditionally military functions in Africa to private military companies (PMCs) such as the Wagner Group and the Africa Corps has been accompanied by violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law. According to the International Law Commission's Articles on Responsibility of States for Internationally Wrongful Acts, state responsibility for these violations can be imputed to the states that employ PMCs to function as their agents, to exercise government authority or to act in the vacuum left by official authorities. States that do not intervene to prevent these abuses fail their obligations of due diligence through …

Integrating Environmental Awareness In Underwater Acoustic Networks: A Comprehensive Review, Sadaf Vahabli, Iftekhar Ahmad, Quoc Viet Phung, Daryoush Habibi, Walid K. Hasan, Ruba Zaheer

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Underwater Acoustic Networks (UANs) are critical for enabling long-range underwater communication, supporting a wide range of applications, such as environmental monitoring, resource exploration, disaster prevention and marine security. Unfortunately, UANs operate within a limited acoustic spectrum, where these spectrums often overlap with those used by marine animals for communication, navigation and foraging. Additionally, anthropogenic noise from industrial activities contributes to acoustic pollution, intensifying this problem. This frequency overlap poses significant risks to marine life. Therefore, this review highlights the urgent need to develop environmentally aware UANs that minimize harmful acoustic interference with marine mammals, fish and invertebrates. Further, it focuses …

Effect Of Caffeine Ingestion On Cycling Performance: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Jinyan Wu, Kai Xu, Mingyue Yin, Xianming Ding, Tong Wang, Qiubo Zhang, Xiaowei Wu, Ningkun Xiao

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This study aimed to determine the effects of acute caffeine ingestion on cycling performance through a systematic review and meta-analysis, while also exploring the moderating roles of caffeine dosage, training status, and athlete age. A comprehensive search was conducted across five databases, yielding 20 eligible studies with a total of 226 participants. A three-level mixed-effects model was applied to pool main effects on cycling time trial performance, mean power output, mean heart rate, and ratings of perceived exertion (RPE). Subgroup analyses and meta-regression were performed to examine potential moderators. Caffeine intake significantly reduced cycling completion time (SMD = −0.36, 95% …

Effects Of Recreational Football On Body Composition, Cardiometabolic Health, And Functional Performance In Children And Adolescents: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Yanzhao Lei, Yanmei Ding, Bo Wang, Hengzhi Deng, Mingyue Yin, Kai Xu, Hengxian Liu, Meiling Tao, Yanfeng Li, Yilin Zhang, Yuhang Liu, Fanhao Meng, Hansen Li, Xing Zhang, Bitai Wu

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Purpose: The systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effects of recreational football on body composition, cardiometabolic health, and functional performance in children and adolescents. Additionally, it explored potential moderators through subgroup analyses. Methods: A systematic search was conducted in six databases in May 2025. A random-effects model was employed for the meta-analysis, and effect sizes were reported as standardized mean differences (SMD, Hedges’ g). Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were conducted to examine sources of heterogeneity. Results: A total of 20 studies (N = 2,906; age range: 8–17 years) were included. Of the participants, 1,524 (52.44%) were male, 1,174 …

Gut Microbial Composition And Short-Chain Fatty Acid Metabolism In Cognitively Unimpaired Adults Stratified By Amyloid-Β Status, D. M.Sithara Dissanayaka, Thilini N. Jayasinghe, Hamid R. Sohrabi, Stephanie R. Rainey-Smith, Kevin Taddei, Colin L. Masters, Ralph N. Martins, W. M.A.D.Binosha Fernando

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) produced by gut microbial fermentation influence host metabolism and neuroinflammatory processes implicated in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). However, the relationship between fecal SCFAs, microbial taxa, and cerebral amyloid-β (Aβ) burden in cognitively unimpaired individuals remains unclear. Fecal SCFAs were quantified using GC-MS, and microbial species were profiled by shotgun metagenomics in 87 participants. Associations between SCFAs, demographics, APOE ε4 status, and Aβ burden were tested using nonparametric statistics and multivariable regression. Microbial–SCFA links were evaluated using Spearman correlations and multivariate ordinations, with mediation analysis exploring potential indirect pathways. Acetate was the predominant SCFA and demonstrated the most …

Customer Participation In Service Recovery: Accounting For The Role Of Customers’ Perceived Control And Empowerment In Hotel Services, Aron O'Cass, Shahin Sharifi, Vida Siahtiri, Atefeh Saniee

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Customer participation in service recovery is common, yet little is known about how different participation roles shape recovery evaluations. This gap is especially salient in hotels, where recovery often unfolds under time pressure and heightened emotions. We conceptualize participatory service recovery as involving two distinct customer roles: solution identification and solution implementation. Across three studies, we examine how these roles shape recovery satisfaction and whether perceived control and psychological empowerment help shape these effects. Study 1 uses the critical incident technique to identify role-specific participation behaviours and customers' interpretations of their recovery involvement. Studies 2 and 3 use scenario-based experiments …

Environmental, Social And Governance (Esg) Drivers Of Sustainability Transitions In Sub-Saharan Africa: Why One Size Does Not Fit All, Emmanuel Kwaku Manu, Bismark Asante, Gabriel Eweje

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Despite growing emphasis on sustainability transitions in developing economies, evidence remains limited on how environmental, social and governance (ESG) conditions shape sustainability outcomes in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). This study examines the environmental, social and governance drivers of sustainability transition performance across 39 SSA countries over the period 2000–2023. A composite sustainability transition performance index (STPI), constructed from renewable energy consumption and reverse-coded energy intensity indicators, is used to capture transition performance. A multi-method panel framework is employed to examine direct, conditional, nonlinear and dynamic relationships. The findings show that environmental pressures, particularly carbon intensity and energy use, consistently weaken sustainability …

A Qualitative Exploration Of Future Health Professionals' Dementia Knowledge And Perceptions Of Dementia-Related Technology Support, Helen M. Haydon, Melissa Taylor, Annie Banbury, Cindy Jones, Georgina R. Chelberg, Louise Horstmanshof, Richard Hicks, Centaine L. Snoswell, Melissa Carey

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Introduction: This research aimed to explore healthcare professional (HCP) students' dementia knowledge, perceptions of older adults' digital literacy, and perceived usefulness of digital health interventions for people living with dementia and their caregivers.

Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted to explore HCP student perceptions of cognitive ageing and their understandings of the relationship between technology and healthcare practice. Researchers also explored students' knowledge of dementia and their contemporary educational experiences.

Results: Findings revealed a lack of formal education regarding the use of technology in cognitive care associated with ageing populations. Students also reported limited experience with the use of technology in …

A Critical Review Of The Theory Of Planned Behaviour In Tourism Research, Kourosh Esfandiar, Arghavan Hadinejad

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) has received considerable attention across various academic disciplines and remains one of the most widely applied–yet increasingly critiqued–theoretical frameworks in tourism research. Despite its widespread use, there is a notable lack of critical reflection on its adequacy in capturing the complexity of tourist behaviour and a limited exploration of alternative theoretical pathways. This paper addresses this gap by critically evaluating the appropriateness and limitations of the TPB in tourism research. Special attention is given to the Theory of Reasoned Goal Pursuit (TRGP), a recent extension of the TPB, alongside complementary frameworks from parent disciplines …

Artificial Intelligence Agents And Agentic Systems In Hospitality And Tourism: Challenges, Opportunities And Research Agenda, Yogesh K. Dwivedi, Mohamed Youssef Ibrahim Helal, Ibrahim A. Elgendy, Mousa Ahmed Albashrawi, Laurie Hughes, Mazen Shawosh, Vincent Dutot, Il Jeon

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Purpose: Artificial intelligence (AI) agents and agentic systems have the potential to transform the tourism and hospitality (T&H) industry by automating existing processes and improving operational efficiency. This viewpoint paper aims to explore and analyze the potential opportunities and challenges, and establish a comprehensive research agenda for developing AI agents and agentic systems within the T&H industry. Design/methodology/approach: This article comprehensively analyzes current literature, user sentiment analysis and market trends assessment on AI agents and agentic systems. It identifies critical areas where these technologies can transform the T&H industries, providing valuable insights into this emerging field and its potential for …

Effects Of Resistance Vs High Intensity Interval Training On Myokines And Cancer Cell Suppression In Breast Cancer Survivors: A Randomized Trial, Francesco Bettariga, Dennis R. Taaffe, Cristina Crespo-Garcia, Timothy D. Clay, Mauro De Santi, Giulia Baldelli, Sanjeev Adhikari, Elin S. Gray, Daniel A. Galvão, Robert U. Newton

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Purpose: Reducing recurrence and mortality is crucial for breast cancer survivors. We investigated the effects of a 12-week resistance training (RT) vs high-intensity interval training (HIIT) program on myokines, cytokines secreted by skeletal muscle cells at rest in response to muscle contraction, and cancer cell inhibition. Methods: Twenty-eight survivors of breast cancer (age 55.5 ± 8.8 yr, body mass index 27.9 ± 5.1 kg/m², time since diagnosis 31 ± 12.3 months) were randomly allocated to a 12-week supervised moderate to high intensity RT (n = 14) or HIIT (n = 14) program 3 days per week. Resting blood …

Generative Artificial Intelligence (Genai) In Procurement And Supply Chain Management: Applications, Opportunities And Challenges, Vinay Singh, Laurie Hughes, Mousa Ahmed Albashrawi, Il Jeon, Yogesh K. Dwivedi

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Purpose: This article aims to explore the transformative potential of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) in procurement and supply chain management (SCM), with a focus on its practical applications, strategic implications and integration challenges. Design/methodology/approach: Adopting a conceptual approach, this article presents the authors’ views and arguments, supported by a review of existing literature and informed by insights from discussions with industry experts. The discussion in this conceptual article is anchored in the supply chain operations reference model. Findings: This research addresses critical questions regarding the practical and strategic impacts of GenAI, emphasizing its ability to simulate scenarios, deliver real-time insights …

Energy Poverty, Economic Growth And Environmental Degradation In South Asia: Do Energy Resources Matter?, Memona Rasheed, Hooi Hooi Lean, Nam Foo

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Developing countries can combat energy poverty by enhancing renewable energy and economic growth with minimal adverse environmental effects. In this paper, we present a comprehensive analysis of energy poverty, renewable energy, economic growth, carbon dioxide emissions, and urbanization (URB) in South Asian countries from 1990 to 2021, focusing on Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. We employed econometric analysis techniques like Panel Pooled Mean Group (PMG)-Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL), Fully Modified Ordinary Least Squares (FMOLS), and Dynamic Ordinary Least Squares (DOLS) to provide empirical results, as they enable panel data and control for endogeneity. The findings suggested that the fight …

Horrible, Fantastic, Traumatic: Victim-Survivors’ Experiences Of Police Interviews In Sexual Offence Cases And Suggestions Moving Forward, Gemma Hamilton, Giselle Woodley

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This study explored adult victim-survivors’ experiences of reporting sexual violence to police in Australia, focusing on their suggestions for supporting future victim-survivors. By drawing on feminist standpoint theory, qualitative interviews with 26 victim-survivors indicated a range of experiences, yet strikingly similar concerns and suggestions for improvement. Using reflexive thematic analysis, key themes included the importance of interview room settings; the interviewer's interpersonal care; the presence of support people; and further investigative support when victims felt like investigators. The study offers both short-term and longer-term suggestions for supporting victim-survivors in sexual offence investigations, with a focus on minimising secondary victimisation.

Music As A Distraction During Reading: Music Listening Habits Of University Students, Lindsey Cooke, Craig Speelman, Ross Hollett

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Recent research indicates high proportions of individuals report they have music playing while they read. This behaviour has implications for effective comprehension, as some scholars suggest the presence of music depletes cognitive resources, resulting in a greater chance of becoming distracted. By contrast, some have claimed that listening to music can improve cognitive performance by increasing physiological arousal and improving mood. This study captured self-reported behaviours of university students regarding whether they chose to listen to music while reading for study purposes. Reasons for listening varied, with reports of increased motivation, enhanced focus, or masking external noise. The most listened …

The Associations Between Sleep Environment Factors And Sleep Health In Individuals Living With Neurological Conditions, Mitchell Turner, Laws, Madeline Griffiths, Travis Cruickshank

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Objectives: To explore associations between air temperature and light in the sleeping environment and sleep health in individuals with neurological conditions. Methods: The sleep health of 46 individuals with neurological conditions (mean age 51.37 ± 14.24 years; 20 males, 26 females) was measured using the Sleep Health Index (SHI). Air temperature and light data were captured across seven days using a light/temperature data logger positioned next to the participant’s bed. Data recorded during the participants’ sleeping periods (determined using a sleep diary) were analyzed. Linear regression models were used to assess the associations between air temperature and light and sleep …

Creatine Monohydrate For Lean Mass, Strength, And Bone Density In Postmenopausal Women: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Siavash Naddafha, Jose Antonio, Richard B. Kreider, Jeffrey R. Stout

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Menopause is accompanied by accelerated losses in muscle mass and strength and declining bone density. Whether creatine monohydrate benefits postmenopausal women are uncertain. Methods: We systematically reviewed randomized, placebo-controlled trials examining creatine supplementation, with or without resistance training (RT), in postmenopausal women. MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, SPORTDiscus, and Cochrane CENTRAL were searched from 2000 to August 2025, supplemented by trial registries and reference-list screening. Eligible studies included postmenopausal women aged ≥40–45 years, intervention durations ≥6 weeks for primary analyses, and outcomes including DXA-derived lean mass, one-repetition maximum (1RM) strength, bone mineral density, physical function, and safety. Dual …

Microbial Collagenase Activity Is Linked To Oral–Gut Translocation In Advanced Chronic Liver Disease, Shen Jin, Aurelie Cenier, Daniela Wetzel, Bethlehem Arefaine, Mar Moreno-Gonzalez, Marilena Stamouli, Merianne Mohamad, Mariia Lupatsii, Emilio Ríos, Sunjae Lee, Ane Zamalloa, Shilpa Chokshi, Adil Mardinoglu, Saeed Shoaie, Naiara Beraza, Vishal C. Patel, Melanie Schirmer

Peninsula Medical School

Microbiome perturbations are associated with advanced chronic liver disease (ACLD), but how microorganisms contribute to disease mechanisms is unclear. Here we analysed metagenomes of paired saliva and faecal samples from an ACLD cohort of 86 individuals, plus 2 control groups of 52 healthy individuals and 14 patients with sepsis. We identified highly similar oral and gut bacterial strains, including Veillonella and Streptococcus spp., which increased in absolute abundance in the gut of patients with ACLD compared with controls. These microbial translocators uniquely share a prtC gene encoding a collagenase-like proteinase, and its faecal abundance was a robust ACLD biomarker (area …

Next-Generation Virtual Environment Training For Cybersecurity In The Maritime Logistics Industry: A Position Paper, Tyler Cheng, Rory Hopcraft, Kimberly Tam, Ji-Jian Chin

School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics

The maritime logistics industry is the most dependent on it in the modern world, yet it is not well protected against cyber risks. Recently, the maritime industry has been transitioning into industry-specific tech, and threats of cyberattacks are increasing as the adoption of technology and automation continues. One of the most effective methods to protect industries and ships from such security incidents, is to train seafarers to mitigate and handle such incidents. However, to the best of our knowledge, we did not find anything that addresses this gap. This article will present the idea and benefits of using virtual environments …

Biocompatibility Of Silver And Hydroxyapatite Antimicrobial Nanocoatings On Titanium Alloy Dental Implants With Human Gingival Fibroblasts, S Morgan, R D Handy, V M Salih, R N Salaie, C J Tredwin, A Besinis

School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics

OBJECTIVES: Peri-implantitis compromises soft and hard tissues around dental implants, often leading to implant failure. Antibacterial nanocoatings offer a promising infection control strategy, but maintaining biocompatibility is essential. This study investigated, through a range of assays and analytical techniques, the biocompatibility of antimicrobial silver and hydroxyapatite (HA) nanocoatings applied to titanium implants with human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs).

METHODS: Silver and hydroxyapatite nanocoatings were applied to the surface of titanium alloy specimens using electroplating, deposition and sintering techniques. The biocompatibility of the nanocoatings with HGFs was assessed by measuring cell metabolic activity (alamarBlue), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release, collagen production (Sircol assay), …

Global Manta And Devil Ray Population Declines: Closing Policy And Management Gaps To Reduce Fisheries Mortality, Betty J.L. Laglbauer, Nidhi G. D'Costa, Joshua D. Stewart, Marta D. Palacios, Melissa Cronin, Daniel Fernando, Nerea Lezama-Ochoa, Asia O. Armstrong, Rima W. Jabado, Sarah Fowler, Julia M. Lawson, Olga Koubrak, Jefferson Murua, Thanda Ko Gyi, Divya Karnad, Mayuri Chopra, Giuseppe Notarbartolo-Di-Sciara, Joshua Rambahiniarison, Don Croll, Stefany Rojas, Abdulaziz Fahmi, Joanna L. Harris, Alifa Binthe Haque, Hilario Murua, Juan Carlos Pérez-Jiménez, Emily Humble, Ellen Barrowclift, Muhammad G. Salim, Godefroy De Bruyne, Issah Seidu

School of Biological and Marine Sciences

Significant progress has been made in advancing priority actions to conserve manta and devil rays, yet implementation and enforcement of protective measures often fall short, leaving most mobulid populations at risk of overfishing. Drawing on a literature review, fisheries databases, agency reports, and expert interviews, we assess global trends in mobulid catch and mortality. We examine both targeted and incidental catch, in small (<15 m, ‘SV’) and large (>15 m, ‘LV’) vessel fisheries to identify hotspots with the highest risk of fisheries-related mortality and population decline. We estimate global fisheries catch at 264,520 (184,407–344,987) mobulids per year, with SV fisheries accounting for 87 % …

Shelled Shut-Ins: A Conditional Escape Task Showing Perceptual Awareness In Hermit Crabs, Ari Drummond, John Spicer, Mark Briffa

School of Biological and Marine Sciences

Sentience is an increasingly popular topic in animal welfare and behavioural research. However, studying sentience can be difficult and contentious. Sentience has frequently been associated with ‘feelings’ and ‘subjective states’ not directly accessible to human observers; thus, investigating awareness in animals could be an alternative approach. Frameworks of awareness have been developed for the experimental examination of cognitive capacities that might underpin ‘feelings’ as affective states and subjective experiences. Using a framework of four hierarchically arranged levels of awareness (that is, perceptual, cognitive, assessment and executive), the awareness of an intertidal crustacean, the common hermit crab, Pagurus bernhardus , was …

Growth In The Margins: Field Measured Protein Metabolism Rates In The Common Limpet, Patella Vulgata, Ignacio A. Cienfuegos, Benjamin J. Ciotti, Richard A. Billington, Paul A. Sutton, Keiron P.P. Fraser

School of Biological and Marine Sciences

Intertidal shores are characterised by a high variability in abiotic conditions, resulting in marked daily, tidal, seasonal and vertical differences in stress conditions, yet our ability to understand the consequences for key physiological processes at corresponding scales are limited. In particular, no previous studies have directly measured protein metabolism, the key process underpinning animal growth, in the field, in any organism. We measured whole-animal (SGR) and tissue (TSGR) mass growth, protein metabolism (synthesis (k_s), degradation (k_d) and growth (k_g)), RNA to protein ratios and oxidative stress in Patella vulgata in the field every season …

Testing The Transferability Of Ai Models For Cold-Water Coral Detection And Classification, Kyran P. Graves, Louise Allcock, David K.A. Barnes, Amelia E.H. Bridges, Kerry L. Howell

School of Biological and Marine Sciences

The proliferation of accessible deep-water imaging platforms has resulted in the acquisition of vast amounts of image data, resulting in an analysis bottleneck. Object detection is now being applied to assist the image annotation process, with the potential to reduce analysis time. However, for object detectors to effectively tackle the scale of the challenge, models need to be generalisable to allow the transfer between imaging platforms and in space. This study trains YOLOv5 object detection models to identify six coral morphology groups using annotated imagery collected by ROV ISIS in the UK (JC136). Model performance was tested with independent datasets …

Best Practice Guidelines For Professional Carers In Emergency Seizure Medication, Rohit Shankar

Peninsula Medical School

No abstract provided.

Dampened Social Motivation In Dysphoria: The Role Of Negative Social Expectancies And Internal Causal Attribution Style, Julie L Ji, Nilly Mor, Colin Macleod

School of Psychology

Dysphoria is associated with dampening of social interaction intention, but the cognitive mechanisms that underpin this relationship are under-investigated. This study tested the hypothesis that heightened negative social expectancies mediate the association between dysphoria and dampened social motivation. Additionally, it tested the hypothesis that the association between dysphoria and negative social expectancies is mediated by an attribution style bias that attributes negative, but not positive, outcomes to internal causes. University students (N = 271) with varied levels of dysphoria read vignettes describing hypothetical situations where they initiate a social interaction that results in positive or negative outcomes. Participants rated their …

Others’ Requests May Dampen The Desire To Do Good: The Effect Of Requests On Children's Prosocial Motivation Across Five Cultures., Anneliese Skrobanek, Patricia Kanngiesser, Jahnavi Sunderarajan, Jorge David Mantilla Salgado, Saiwa Sisa Quimbo Yacelga, Shoji Itakura, Marie M. Morita, Masanori Yamaguchi, Nadia Chernyak, Lucy M. Stowe, Joscha Kärtner

School of Psychology

There exists cultural variation in how people react to prosocial obligations, but we still know little about when these differences emerge in development and how they can be explained. We investigated this in a study with 6- to 11-year-old children (N = 686) in five cultural contexts. Children listened to scenarios about spontaneous and requested (within-subjects) helping and sharing. They rated requested scenarios as less desirable and less satisfying, but there was significant cross-cultural variation in the magnitude of this effect, which was mostly stable with age. We also measured children's sense of individual agency and internalization of prosocial norms …