Title:
Moral elevation: a new approach to the treatment of depression and improving psychological well-being
Author:
Scott N. Strickman
Thesis Advisor:
Martin F. Sherman
Committee Member:
Matthew W. Kirkhart
Committee Member:
Amanda M. Thomas
Committee Member:
Ralph Piedmont
Degree Granting Institution:
Loyola University Maryland--College of Arts and Sciences
Place:
Baltimore (Md.)
Publisher:
Loyola University Maryland
Date Created:
2016
Type of Resource:
text
Genre:
thesis
Language:
eng
Format:
application/pdf
Physical Form:
electronic
Digital Source:
born digital
Abstract:
Moral elevation is a positive emotion typically experienced through generous and selfless acts committed by others. Elevation has been characterized by the unique set of physical and psychological states it produces within individuals, such as increased prosocial behavior and desire to better oneself, many of which are frequently lacking in people suffering from depression. The present study attempts to extend the current literature by examining whether elevation can be used as an intervention to enhance psychological well-being, and what role gender may play in experiencing the effects of elevation. Specifically, we hypothesized that increases in psychological well-being would be greater as the “dosage” of elevation was increased. Additionally, the experience of elevation was predicted to lead to greater increases in psychological well-being than experiences of amusement and to be greater for women than men. Several self-report surveys regarding psychological well-being were administered to participants (n = 517) prior to watching three videos that simulated elevation, amusement, and/or neutral emotional experiences. After watching the videos, the surveys were readministered to participants. Results did not reveal differences in psychological well-being outcomes based on the amount of elevation material experienced by participants. Further, no differences in psychological well-being were found across the three emotion conditions (i.e., elevation, amusement, and neutral) and similar levels of elevation were reported across genders. Results were consistent with findings from prior research that elevation does impact individuals in self-reported ways. However, we did not find evidence of the psychological changes shown by prior research to be associated with the experience of elevation. Findings suggest that though elevation is different from amusement, the experience of moral elevation does not provide immediate effects to psychological well-being. Further implications and several limitations of this study are discussed.
Subject:
Electronic dissertations
Degree:
Master of Science
Level:
Master
Discipline:
Psychology
Restrictions on Access:
Author has given permission to make this work available online to Loyola Notre Dame Library basic constituency.
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Identifier:
StrickmanSN-16
