近年の研究で援助者が被援助者だけでなく第三者からも批判される可能性が示唆されている。そこで本研究では，援助行動にかかるコストとして金銭，危険，努力，時間の4つを想定し，印象低下理由として規範逸脱，利己的動機，非必然性，心的負担の4つを想定した。コストを独立変数とした上でそれぞれのコストが通常のシナリオと過剰なシナリオを作成し，場面想定法によって援助者の印象及び印象低下の理由について検討した。その結果，金銭，危険，努力の3条件において通常シナリオの援助者よりも過剰シナリオの援助者の印象が低かった。また，印象低下理由として金銭条件，危険条件では規範逸脱の影響のみが大きく，努力条件，時間条件では規範逸脱と非必然性の影響が大きかった。

本研究は，親子間における知能観の伝達過程について，両親の間の知能観の一致度が調整する可能性について検討した。中学生の子をもつ父親と母親，そしてその子ども211世帯を対象に，両親および子どもの知能観を測定したほか，子どもには両親がどのような知能観をもつかという認知についても尋ねた。調整媒介分析の結果，父親では，両親の間で知能観が一致しているとき，父親の知能観は子どもが認知する父親の知能観を媒介し，子ども自身の知能観に影響を及ぼした。一方，両親の知能観の一致度が低いとき，父親がもつ知能観は，子どもが認知する父親の知能観を予測しなかった。母親においては，父親との知能観の一致度にかかわらず，母親の知能観は子どもが認知する母親の知能観を媒介し，子ども自身の知能観に影響した。なお，それぞれ親の知能観から子どもの知能観への直接効果は一致度にかかわらず有意であった。子どもの増大的知能観への支援のために，両親の知能観へと介入する必要性が示された。

近年，不登校の中でも「無気力型不登校」の生徒数が増加傾向にある。無気力型不登校は，葛藤を抱える情緒混乱型不登校とは区別されており，無気力の近接概念である「アパシー」の状態像を含むものであると予想される。本研究では，無気力型不登校へと至る生徒の心理的な状態像を捉えることを目的とした測定指標として，中学生におけるアパシー傾向を測定する尺度を作成し，登校回避行動および出欠席状況との関連から妥当性の検討を行った。その結果，研究1では「気力の低下」「他者への同化」「対人交流の回避」「将来展望のなさ」の4因子から成るアパシー傾向尺度が作成され，信頼性および収束的妥当性が確認された。研究2では，交差妥当性および基準関連妥当性（併存的妥当性，予測的妥当性）が確認された。以上より，無気力型不登校の前駆状態を説明する概念としてアパシーを用いる有効性が示された。

This study examined how anxiety regarding the COVID-19 pandemic affects loneliness. We conducted a longitudinal survey of Japanese adults aged 20 to 79 years (N =941), who were assessed twice (Time 1 in December 2020 and Time 2 in August 2021). The results of a cross-lagged effects model showed that anxiety levels recorded at Time 1 predicted loneliness levels at Time 2. These results indicate that people who feel anxious about the COVID-19 pandemic will tend to become lonely.

The relationship between Jung’s psychological types and Sensory Processing Sensitivity was investigated. Undergraduate students (N=263) completed the Japanese version of the Sensory Processing Scale and Jung Psychological Types Scale (JPTS). The results indicated that the Introverted Feeling types have characteristics of more ease of excitation, while Extraverted Sensation types and Extraverted Intuition types have less ease of excitation. These findings suggest that characteristics of psychological types are elaborated from the viewpoint of Sensory Processing Sensitivity.

This study examined the associations between school maladjustment, depression, and self-esteem using a short-term longitudinal survey of high school students. We analyzed data from 984 students who completed all first and second semester (two waves) assessments. Cross-lagged panel analyses revealed a significant relationship between school maladjustment, depression, and self-esteem in both waves. Specifically, maladaptive signs and lack of social competence were significantly positively associated with depression, and lack of perceived self-acceptance was significantly negatively related to self-esteem.

This study examined the interaction between unmitigated communion (UC) and gender on gender system justification (GSJ). UC is a trait of putting others before oneself. GSJ is a tendency to maintain the status quo, even if it is unequal. Participants included 200 females and 200 males (M_age=20.5). Hierarchical multiple regression analysis was conducted including the interaction terms of UC and GSJ. Since the interaction was significant, a simple main effect test was conducted, a positive association for females, and a negative association for males. The results were interpreted regarding the fit in society for females and a lack of merit for males.

Grit is a positive noncognitive ability that has been associated with positive social outcomes and improved mental health. To address the research gap in Japan regarding the temporal stability of grit, a three-year longitudinal survey (T1: N=1,087–T3: N=546) was conducted among caregivers. The study aimed to determine whether grit is a stable personality trait. The study also compared the change in scale scores and longitudinal correlations of grit with those of the Big Five personality traits. The results revealed that the average score changes were minimal for grit and the BIF Five personality traits. However, the longitudinal correlations of individuals for grit were lower, indicating that grit characteristics may change through various experiences.

We examined whether people’s trait increases when asked to impress others with that trait. Participants (N=422) reported their extraversion/introversion and social desirability of extraversion and introversion. After 7 to 10 days, we asked them to write a self-introduction that gave either an extraverted or introverted impression, depending on their condition. Their extraversion/introversion was measured before the self-introduction. Results indicated that (1) only extraversion was rated desirable, (2) a trait to be presented increased in both conditions, and (3) there was a greater effect on extraversion, suggesting that internalization of self-presentation occurred even without self-presentation, especially for socially desirable traits.

Attitudes toward sexual consent are related to sentencing recommendations for sexual perpetrators in Japan and Canada. However, this tendency may also depend on culture. This study investigated the cultural differences in perceived appropriateness of punishment against sexual crimes as a function of attitudes toward sexual consent in Japan and Korea. Consistent with previous research, the results of the hierarchical regression analysis showed that Japanese participants who perceived sexual consent as important were more likely to perceive punishment as appropriate. However, the opposite pattern was observed among Korean participants. A possible reason for these findings was further discussed.