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Positive Psychology Interventions Reduce Anti-Rich Mentality: An Exploration of the Contribution of Appreciative Joy

Author

Listed:
  • Rong Wang

    (Shenzhen University)

  • Ying Li

    (National University of Singapore)

  • Yuan Zheng

    (National Demonstration Center for Experimental Psychology Education (Beijing Normal University), Beijing Normal University)

  • Yang Zhang

    (National Demonstration Center for Experimental Psychology Education (Beijing Normal University), Beijing Normal University)

  • Tian P. S. Oei

    (the University of Queensland)

  • Xianglong Zeng

    (National Demonstration Center for Experimental Psychology Education (Beijing Normal University), Beijing Normal University)

Abstract

Studies in psychology and sociology have documented that anti-rich mentality is a threat to the stability of society and harms personal mental health, but few studies have investigated ways to intervene in anti-rich mentality. In the current work, we took an initial step to explore whether anti-rich mentality can be reduced by appreciative joy, a positive psychological concept that refers to feeling happy for others with an appreciative and unenvious attitude. A cross-sectional questionnaire survey in Study 1 (n = 632) first established a negative association between appreciative joy and anti-rich mentality. In Study 2, a randomized controlled trial further evaluated the effects of appreciative joy intervention (n = 499). The results showed that the intervention increased appreciative joy and decreased anti-rich mentality. Moreover, two concepts closely related to anti-rich mentality (i.e., perceived fairness in allocation and envy) were influenced by appreciative joy intervention. Our findings not only confirm the possibility of a positive psychology intervention to relieve anti-rich mentality but also highlight the effectiveness of appreciative joy in changing attitudes toward social groups. Implications for practices and prospects for future research are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Rong Wang & Ying Li & Yuan Zheng & Yang Zhang & Tian P. S. Oei & Xianglong Zeng, 2024. "Positive Psychology Interventions Reduce Anti-Rich Mentality: An Exploration of the Contribution of Appreciative Joy," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 25(4), pages 1-17, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jhappi:v:25:y:2024:i:4:d:10.1007_s10902-024-00745-8
    DOI: 10.1007/s10902-024-00745-8
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    References listed on IDEAS

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