Perceptions of the appropriate response to norm violation in 57 societies

An Author Correction to this article: DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-22955-x.Norm enforcement may be important for resolving conflicts and promoting cooperation. However, little is known about how preferred responses to norm violations vary across cultures and across domains. In a preregistered study of 57 countries (using convenience samples of 22,863 students and non-students), we measured perceptions of the appropriateness of various responses to a violation of a cooperative norm and to atypical social behaviors. Our findings highlight both cultural universals and cultural variation. We find a universal negative relation between appropriateness ratings of norm violations and appropriateness ratings of responses in the form of confrontation, social ostracism and gossip. Moreover, we find the country variation in the appropriateness of sanctions to be consistent across different norm violations but not across different sanctions. Specifically, in those countries where use of physical confrontation and social ostracism is rated as less appropriate, gossip is rated as more appropriate.Peer reviewe

Changes in social norms during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic across 43 countries

The emergence of COVID-19 dramatically changed social behavior across societies and contexts. Here we study whether social norms also changed. Specifically, we study this question for cultural tightness (the degree to which societies generally have strong norms), specific social norms (e.g. stealing, hand washing), and norms about enforcement, using survey data from 30,431 respondents in 43 countries recorded before and in the early stages following the emergence of COVID-19. Using variation in disease intensity, we shed light on the mechanisms predicting changes in social norm measures. We find evidence that, after the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, hand washing norms increased while tightness and punishing frequency slightly decreased but observe no evidence for a robust change in most other norms. Thus, at least in the short term, our findings suggest that cultures are largely stable to pandemic threats except in those norms, hand washing in this case, that are perceived to be directly relevant to dealing with the collective threat

Anger and disgust shape judgments of social sanctions across cultures, especially in high individual autonomy societies

When someone violates a social norm, others may think that some sanction would be appropriate. We examine how the experience of emotions like anger and disgust relate to the judged appropriateness of sanctions, in a pre-registered analysis of data from a large-scale study in 56 societies. Across the world, we find that individuals who experience anger and disgust over a norm violation are more likely to endorse confrontation, ostracism and, to a smaller extent, gossip. Moreover, we find that the experience of anger is consistently the strongest predictor of judgments of confrontation, compared to other emotions. Although the link between state-based emotions and judgments may seem universal, its strength varies across countries. Aligned with theoretical predictions, this link is stronger in societies, and among individuals, that place higher value on individual autonomy. Thus, autonomy values may increase the role that emotions play in guiding judgments of social sanctions

Psychological interventions in dermatology

The objective of this paper is to introduce and emphasize the importance of psychological interventions for those with dermatological conditions. In keeping with the current literature, the author envisages a two-tier approach in the provision of such psychological interventions. Firstly, most patients with dermatology conditions may not require psychological change. Instead, they could be approached with effective doctor-patient communication skills, within a context of empathy and positive regard. At the second tier, however, based on the clinical interview, some patients may require varying degrees of psychological change in order to better manage their illness. In such a context, a dermatologist with training in psychotherapy would be required. In the absence of such a person, the patient may be referred to a psychologist or another mental health professional trained in psychotherapy

Papers Consequences of parental corporal punishment on 12-year old children in the Colombo district

Peter A Newcombe and Lalini Rajapakse 3 Objective To study the association between parental corporal punishment and psychological maladjustment in children. Potential mediating variables of this association were explored. The relationship between corporal punishment and physical abuse was also investigated. Design, setting and sample The children (N=1226, 12year olds) were selected from government schools in the Colombo district, using a stratified random sampling technique. Measurements Self-administered instruments, adapted and validated to the Sri Lankan context were used. Results The experience of parental corporal punishment was shown to be moderately, but significantly, associated with psychological maladjustment in children. This association was enhanced by the child witnessing or experiencing non-parent-to-child violence (eg. domestic, community, teacher and peer violence). The extent of the child's support network, the nature of the parent-child relationship and the child's attitude to corporal punishment did not significantly alter the association between corporal punishment and psychological maladjustment. Corporal punishment was also moderately, but significantly, associated with child physical abuse. Conclusions Parental corporal punishment is associated with psychological harm for children; this association is further enhanced by other forms of violence in a child's life

Patient satisfaction with physiotherapy services in an Asian country: A report from Sri Lanka

Patient satisfaction is an important indicator of the quality of care provided to recipients of health services. In Sri Lanka, there is a dearth of research on patient satisfaction, particularly in the arena of physiotherapy services. Such research is important to address any issues in the physiotherapy service, such that patients' needs are better catered for, as well as to improve the marketability of physiotherapy services. The present study aimed to investigate patient satisfaction with the physiotherapy treatment received at a large government hospital in Sri Lanka. A cross-sectional survey study was conducted on a sample of 150 patients receiving physiotherapy treatment using a self-administered questionnaire. This was followed by a focus group discussion. Results indicated that the majority of patients were satisfied with the treatment received. Information on selected correlates of patient satisfaction such as physiotherapist-related factors, patient-related factors, nature of the physiotherapist–patient interaction, professionalism of the service provided, and the logistics of the treatment environment was discussed

A profile of psychological maladjustment among school children in Sri Lanka

This study examined the profile of psychological maladjustment among 12-year-old Sinhala speaking children in the Colombo district of Sri Lanka. The children (N=1226) were selected from government schools in the Colombo district, using a stratified random sampling technique. The Personality Assessment Questionnaire, a self-administered instrument shown to have good psychometric properties, was adapted and validated to the Sri Lankan context and was then used in the study survey. Nearly half of the children in the study were psychologically maladjusted. Among the seven personality dimensions in the instrument that assessed psychological maladjustment, a majority of children had a deficit in the personality dimensions of independence and emotional stability. The paper discusses the possible reasons for these findings