The Effect of Role Obligations on Sacrifice Perception

• Main Authors: Chia-Chi Chien, 簡家琦
• Other Authors: 危芷芬
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2008
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/53685474634943954098

碩士 === 中原大學 === 心理學研究所 === 96 === This research was aimed to explore the association between role obligations and sacrifice perception. According to previous Western studies, the cost of behavior parallels sacrifice and behavior of self-sacrifice contributes to maintaining intimate relation (e.g. Van Lange, et al., 1997). But there are other factors which influence sacrifice perception. A lot of theorists emphasized the importance of interpersonal relationships in Chinese societies. In addition, according to Wei (2001), interpersonal obligations vary with type of relationships, and affect matters only in the context of non-family relationships. It was inferred that sacrifice perception is not only influenced by cost of behavior, but also by of role obligation and affect. We examined our reasons upon two researches. Study 1 was to investigate how sacrifice perception was influenced by the choice between personal goal and role obligation. It was a 3 (relationship type: family, friend or stranger) × 2 (choice: role obligation or personal goal) completely between-subject factorial design with covariates of importance of personal goal and role obligation, and lose of self-benefits. 184 Chung Yuan Christian University students completed the scenario questionnaire. The result of ANCOVA showed that subjects rated sacrifice perception of fulfilling role obligation higher in stranger condition than friends and family. And when the actors chose to pursue personal goals, sacrifice perception was rated highest in family condition than friends, and higher in friend condition than stranger. According to correlation analysis, sacrifice perception was more positive correlated to quality of future relationship in non-family relationships than family. Study 2 explored the impact of type of relationships and affect on sacrifice perception. It was a 2 (relationship type family, friend) × 2 (positive or negative affect) completely between-subject factorial design with covariates of importance of personal goal and role obligation, and lose of self-benefits. 122 Chung Yuan Christian University students participated in the study. Sacrifice perception was significantly different between family and friendships, but not influenced by affect. It was probably due to inadequate design or lack of ecological validity of measurement. Correlation analysis showed different pattern for positive and negative affect. When the actor s were in positive affect with the other person, sacrifice perception was positively related to the quality of future relationship; when they were in negative affect, sacrifice perception was negatively related to the quality of future relationship. The result was similar to Van Lange and Rusbult, et al. (1997) and Yang (2001). In summary, the research showed that sacrifice perception was influenced by role obligation in relationships. More variables would be included into further study, such as future interaction or emotional responses. It was also suggested that resources other than money and charity for strangers were explored.