Social Psychology Research

Abstract Introduction: This study aimed to examine the mediating effect of musical intelligence on the association between successful intelligence and wisdom among piano players. Method: The present research is correlational. The statistical population in this study consists of piano players in Arak city during the academic year of 2023. A convenience sample of 300 piano players was selected using an online platform. Data collection tools included the San Diego Wisdom Scale (Thomas et al., 2022), the Successful Intelligence Questionnaire (Grigorenko & Sternberg, 2002), and the Multiple Intelligences Questionnaire (Gardner, 1983). Statistical analysis of data was performed using AMOS-28 and SPSS software. Results: Results showed that the direct effects of successful intelligence and musical intelligence on wisdom were significant. Moreover, the results revealed that musical intelligence mediated the relationship between successful intelligence and wisdom. Additionally, the proposed model exhibited an acceptable fit to the data (RMSEA = 0.071, p < 0.05), indicating that 90% of the variance in wisdom was explained by successful intelligence via the mediating role of musical intelligence. Conclusion: Therefore, piano players' wisdom can be influenced by their successful intelligence and musical intelligence. Additionally, musical intelligence comprises analytical, creative, practical, and wisdom-based aspects, which are useful for both composing and performing music, as well as for understanding and knowledge of music among piano players.

Abstract Introduction: The growing fascination with celebrities in recent years has raised many questions about the emotional and personality characteristics of those who follow celebrities closely. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between dark triad personality traits, obsession with celebrities, and struggles with emotional control, with the latter serving as a mediating factor. Method: The statistical population of the study consisted of all students enrolled at public universities in Tehran during the academic year of 1402. Of these, 457 male and female students were selected through online student networks. The Celebrity Attitude scale (McCutcheon et al., 2002), the Dirty Dozen scale (Jonason & Webster, 2010), and the Brief Version of the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation scale (Bjureberg et al., 2016) were used to collect data and were analyzed using structural equation modeling. Results: The results of structural equation modeling showed that dark triad personality traits are not directly related to obsession with celebrities, while difficulty in emotion regulation significantly mediates this relationship (b=0.601, p<0.05). Conclusion: Based on the results of the research, it can be concluded that the dark triad of personality is not necessarily associated with an obsession with celebrities. Instead, emotion regulation problems in people with higher levels of dark personality traits can be a determining factor in increasing their fascination with celebrities.

Abstract Introduction: Today, the practice of tattooing or piercing has become a widely popular activity, especially among young people, all over the world, yet it has received little research or attention in Iran. The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between self-esteem and five main personality factors with the mediating role of social networking on people with tattoo/piercing. Method: This research adopted a descriptive correlational design. The study population consisted of all individuals with tattoos residing in Shiraz, from whom 183 participants were selected through convenience sampling from February 2021 to October 2022. The research tools included the Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory (1967), the NEO Five-Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI) Short Form (1985), and the Social Networks and Media Questionnaire (Jahanbani, 2018). For data analysis, the Partial Least Squares (PLS) approach for Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) using SmartPLS software was utilized. Results: The results showed that there was no significant relationship between Self-Esteem and the Five Main Factors of Personality, even when Social Media was considered as a mediator (P<0.05). These results were confirmed by the value of the path coefficients and the goodness-of-fit index. Conclusion: This result indicates that with the widespread use of social media among people of various characteristics today, this type of connection does not play a significant role in the relationship between self-esteem and different dimensions of personality, especially in the community of individuals with tattoos. This finding suggests that while social media use is prevalent, it is not as influential in shaping these relationships as other factors might be.

Abstract Introduction: Virtual space generates a wide array of information and semantic expressions, creating a sense of abundance. Individuals become suspended in the construction of their identity when confronted with the vastness of this space and its plethora of resources. The present study aims to determine the mediating role of life orientation, self-expression, and psychological well-being in the relationship between moral intelligence and the prevention of virtual identity.
Method: The research method was descriptive-correlational. The statistical population consisted of all female students in the second year of high school in Shiraz who were studying during the academic year 2022-2023. Among the statistical population, 382 people were selected using a multi-stage cluster sampling method with the Morgan and Karjesi formula. For data collection, self-expression was assessed using the Gambrill and Reiji (1975) questionnaire, psychological well-being with Rief's (1989) measure, moral intelligence using Link and Keel's (2008) instrument, and life orientation through Shier and Carver's (1985) scale. Data were analyzed using path analysis.
Results: The findings revealed a significant positive correlation between moral intelligence, life orientation, self-expression, and psychological well-being with the prevention of virtual identity (P < 0.01). Moreover, moral intelligence was positively and significantly related to life orientation, self-expression, and psychological well-being (P < 0.01). The results further demonstrated that life orientation, self-expression, and psychological well-being acted as significant mediators in the relationship between moral intelligence and the prevention of virtual identity (P < 0.01).
Conclusion: Conclusion: The findings indicate that moral intelligence influences the prevention of virtual identity through self-expression, life orientation, and psychological well-being as mediators. Based on the obtained indices and coefficients, it can be concluded that the proposed model of the causal relationships between moral intelligence and prevention of virtual identity, with the mediation of self-expression, life orientation, and psychological well-being, adequately explains the data.

Abstract Introduction: Cyberbullying has emerged as a significant issue in both theoretical and practical realms. The present study sought to investigate the efficacy of social cognition training on the empathy and moral indifference of adolescents who engage in cyberbullying.  Method: The research design was a quasi-experimental, pre-test-post-test control group design. The statistical population consisted of all male students in the second year of middle school in Gorgan during the academic year 2023-2024. Thirty participants were randomly selected using cluster sampling and allocated to experimental (n = 15) and control (n = 15) groups. The experimental group received eight 60-minute sessions of social cognition skills training, while the control group did not receive any training during this period. The instruments used for data collection were Orgavo et al.'s Empathy Questionnaire (2017) to measure empathy, Caprara and Capana's Moral Indifference Questionnaire (2006) to assess moral indifference, and Antiad et al.'s Cyberbullying Questionnaire (2016) to determine cyberbullying behaviors. Findings: The results showed that there was a significant difference between the experimental and control groups after social cognition training in terms of the effect on empathy and moral indifference variables in favor of the experimental group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The findings demonstrate that social cognition training is a promising approach to increase empathy and reduce moral indifference among adolescents who engage in cyberbullying. Given the importance of these factors in preventing cyberbullying, researchers and educators must consider incorporating social cognition training as a practical tool in their efforts to address this issue.

Abstract Introduction: The present study aimed to investigate the extent to which job insecurity, salary discrepancies, and work difficulty predict anxiety among organizational employees in Tehran, with social comparison as a potential mediating variable. The concept of social comparison, where individuals evaluate their attributes or circumstances by comparing them with others, has been recognized as a significant factor in the development of anxiety.
Method: The research design was a structural equation model using a correlational approach. A sample of 200 participants was selected from the Tehran Province Highway and Road Transport Organization (HRTO) using an available sampling method. The study utilized Beck's Anxiety Inventory (1988), Nisi's Job Security Questionnaire (1999), Gibbons and Bonk's (1999) Social Comparison Questionnaire, and Armstrong's Performance and Salary System Questionnaire (2006).
Results: The structural equation model was found to fit the data adequately, with the following fit indices: goodness of fit index (GFI) = 0.922, comparative fit index (CFI) = 0.922, incremental fit index (IFI) = 0.929, and adjusted goodness of fit index (AGFI) = 0.88. Furthermore, the chi-square to degrees of freedom ratio (X2/df) was calculated at 1.76, indicating an acceptable fit to the data.
Conclusion: The results of the study indicate that job insecurity, salary discrepancies, and work difficulty are significant predictors of anxiety among employees in Tehran, with social comparison acting as a mediating variable. The study demonstrates the complex interplay between job insecurity, unfair compensation practices, and social comparison processes in the development of anxiety.

Abstract Introduction: The present study aimed to design and test a model of organizational dehumanization (OD) outcomes (job satisfaction, affective commitment, emotional exhaustion, psychosomatic symptoms) mediating by lack of organizational fundamental psychological needs thwarting. Method: The research sample includes 200 employees of the National IT Services Company of Tehran province (summer 2002) were selected by simple random sampling and OD questionnaires (Caesens et al.,2017), lack of organizational fundamental psychological needs thwarting (Gillett et al.,2012), job burnout (Maslach & Jackson,1981), psychosomatic symptoms (Spector and Jex, 1998), affective commitment (Allen and Meyer, 1993), job satisfaction (Eisenberger et al., 1997). The data was analyzed using the path analysis method test. Results: The analysis revealed a relatively good fit between the proposed model and the data. The OD has a positive and significant effect on lack of organizational fundamental psychological needs thwarting with a beta coefficient of )0/66(. The beta coefficient of)-0/35(shows that OD has a significant negative effect on job satisfaction. Also, has a weak and non-significant effect on emotional commitment with a beta coefficient of)-0/01 (has a positive and significant effect on emotional exhaustion with a beta coefficient of )0/37). finally, with a beta coefficient of )0/15(, has a positive and significant effect on psychosomatic problems. Conclusion: The results of data analysis showed a direct and indirect effects of OD on emotional exhaustion, psychosomatic symptoms, and job satisfaction through organizational fundamental psychological needs thwarting.

Abstract Introduction:As the world constantly evolves, students encounter new situations and social differences that can affect various aspects of their lives. The present study aimed to investigate the potential mediating role of identity styles in the relationship between perceived parenting practices and gender stereotypes among graduate students. Method: The research method employed in this study was descriptive-correlational. The statistical population consisted of all graduate students enrolled at Tabriz University in 2022, from which 206 individuals were selected using an available sampling method with the sample size determined based on Klein's model. To collect data, the Parental Authority Questionnaire, Identity Styles Questionnaire, and Gender Stereotypes Questionnaire were administered and analyzed using path analysis. Results:The findings revealed a direct relationship between perceived parenting styles and gender stereotypes, with the mediating role of identity styles. The research model was found to have an acceptable fit. Perceived parenting styles were significantly associated with gender stereotypes, with informational identity style acting as a mediator (p < 0.01). Moreover, there was a significant indirect relationship between perceived parenting styles and gender stereotypes through the mediating effect of the confused-avoidant identity style (p < 0.05). However, the normative identity style did not significantly mediate this relationship (p > 0.05). Conclusion: The findings of this study provide valuable insights into the phenomenon of gender stereotypes among students. It was found that parenting styles directly and indirectly through identity styles significantly influence students' use of gender stereotypes. The findings highlight the importance of considering both direct and indirect factors in understanding how gender stereotypes develop and are perpetuated.

Abstract   Introduction:As the Internet becomes increasingly prevalent in daily life, negative impacts have also grown. One such impact is Problematic Internet Use (PIU). This study aimed to investigate the mediating roles of Maladaptive Emotion Regulation (MER) and Impulsivity (IMP) in the relationship between Shame and PIU. Method:The present study utilized a descriptive-correlation design and path analysis using SPSS version 26 and AMOS version 24  to investigate the relationship between Shame (Cohen et al., 2011), Maladaptive Emotion Regulation (Garnefski, 2006), Impulsivity (Barrat, 1995), and Problematic Internet Use (Kaplan, 2010) questionnaires in a sample of 340 (male and female) University of Tabriz students in the academic year 1402-1403, selected using a multi-stage cluster random sampling method based on Kline's formula. Results:The results showed that there is a direct and indirect relationship between the feeling of shame Problematic use of the Internet through impulsivity. Also, the fit indices showed that the research model has a good fit. The relationship between the experience of shame and Problematic use of the Internet was significant with the mediation of impulsivity (p< 0.01). However, the effect of maladaptive emotion regulation (p<0.05) on Problematic use of the Internet was not significant.The data analysis demonstrated that Shame is positively associated with Problematic Internet Use (PIU), both directly and indirectly through the mediating effect of Impulsivity. The proposed model exhibited a strong fit with the data. Specifically, the direct relationship between Shame and PIU was significant (p < 0.01), as was the indirect effect of Shame on PIU via Impulsivity (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The study's findings demonstrate that Shame is a significant factor in the development of Problematic Internet Use, with Impulsivity playing a mediating role. This suggests that efforts to address and reduce PIU may benefit from considering individuals’ experiences of Shame, as well as strategies for improving emotional regulation. Future research may expand upon these findings to develop more comprehensive models of PIU, leading to improved interventions and preventive measures.