No interest in being cynical: Conflicting versus corresponding interests track variability in the link between a sense of control and cynicism

Recent literature indicates that a sense of control negatively predicts (social) cynicism, a negative view of others as self-interested and exploitative (Stavrova & Ehlebracht, 2018a, 2019). Despite the ostensibly robust nature of this relationship, I propose that the strength of the link between control and cynicism could be more variable than extant findings have suggested. In particular, I argue that variability in the control-cynicism link may be tracked (i.e., moderated) by the extent to which actors in a situation have corresponding or conflicting interests, with the effect of control on cynicism being attenuated when actors are perceived to have corresponding (vs. conflicting) interests. Furthermore, I reason that perceptions of vulnerability to exploitation should mediate the effect of control (and interests) on cynicism. Overall, the present research hypothesized a moderated mediation model linking a sense of control, interests, vulnerability, and cynicism. Four well-powered studies were conducted: one large-scale, cross-cultural correlational study (Study 1) and three experiments that employed economic games (Study 2) and vignettes (Study 3 and 4). Findings were broadly consistent with the theoretical model: the link between control and cynicism was mediated by perceptions of vulnerability and was attenuated in situations with corresponding (vs. conflicting) interests. The implications and limitations of the current research are discussed. Overall, the findings suggest that shaping people’s perceptions of interests in a situation can be one useful way to help stem the cynicism that arises from a lack of personal control.

SPEAKER

Bryan Choy Kwok Cheng
PhD Candidate in Psychology
School of Social Sciences
Singapore Management University

CHAIR

Norman Li
Professor of Psychology
School of Social Sciences
Singapore Management University

COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Kimin Eom
Assistant Professor of Psychology
School of Social Sciences
Singapore Management University

Kenneth Tan
Assistant Professor of Psychology
School of Social Sciences
Singapore Management University

EXTERNAL MEMBER

Mark van Vugt
Professor in Evolutionary Psychology, Work and Organizational Psychology
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam