Engaging in behavior to facilitate personal growth or collective change is a form of “positive risk-taking.” Going against the status quo entails a risk of social disapproval and can raise discomfort. When will this impede or benefit the achievement of behavioral change? Across two studies, we investigated responses during and after group sessions with a motivational speaker, in which behavioral exercises encouraged positive risk-taking behavior. In Study 1, we investigated the moderating role of challenge and threat appraisals on the relationship between discomfort and positive risk-taking intentions among 133 employees of 3 organizations. We hypothesized that the relationship between experienced discomfort and positive risk-taking intentions would be positive (negative), if the discomfort was evaluated as a challenge (threat). In Study 2, we experimentally manipulated the type of discomfort (“control,” “self-experienced discomfort,” “observed discomfort”) and measured positive risk-taking behavior before, immediately after, and 3 weeks after the event among 146 university students. Results revealed that challenge appraisals significantly predicted positive risk-taking intentions and long-term behaviors. Notably, these effects were obtained regardless of whether discomfort was experienced personally or observed in others. Our research highlights the importance of challenge appraisals in motivating immediate and long-term positive risk-taking in group contexts. Implications and directions for future research are discussed.

Chronic pain is an ill-defined disease with complex biopsychosocial aspects, posing treatment challenges. We hypothesized that treatment failure results, at least partly, from limited understanding of diverse patient subgroups. We aimed to identify subgroups using psychological variables, allowing for more tailored interventions. In a retrospective cohort study, we extracted patient-reported data from two Dutch tertiary multidisciplinary outpatient pain clinics (2018-2023) for unsupervised hierarchical clustering. Clusters were defined by anxiety, depression, pain catastrophizing, and kinesiophobia. Sociodemographics, pain characteristics, diagnosis, lifestyle, health-related quality of life and treatment efficacy were compared among clusters. A prediction model was built utilizing a minimum set of questions to reliably assess cluster allocation. Among 5466 patients with chronic pain, three clusters emerged. Cluster 1 (n=750) was characterized by high psychological burden, low health-related quality of life, lower educational levels and employment rates, and more smoking. Cluster 2 (n=1795) showed low psychological burden, intermediate health-related quality of life, higher educational levels and employment rates, and more alcohol consumption. Cluster 3 (n=2909) showed intermediate features. Pain reduction following treatment was least in cluster 1 (28.6% after capsaicin patch, 18.2% after multidisciplinary treatment), compared to >50% for both treatments in clusters 2 and 3. A model incorporating 15 psychometric questions reliably predicted cluster allocation. In conclusion, our study identified distinct chronic pain patient clusters through 15 psychological questions, revealing one cluster with notably poorer response to conventional treatment. Our prediction model, integrated in a web-based tool, may help clinicians improve treatment by allowing patient-subgroup targeted therapy according to cluster allocation. PERSPECTIVE: Hierarchical clustering of chronic pain patients identified three subgroups with similar pain intensity and diagnoses but distinct psychosocial traits. One group with higher psychological burden showed poorer treatment outcomes. A web-based tool using this model could help clinicians tailor therapies by matching interventions to specific patient subgroups for improved outcomes.

Background: Chronic pain is an ill-defined disease with complex biopsychosocial aspects, posing treatment challenges. We hypothesize that treatment failure results, at least partly, from limited understanding of diverse patient subgroups. We aim to identify subgroups through psychometric data, allowing for more tailored interventions. Methods: For this retrospective cohort study, we extracted patient-reported data from two Dutch tertiary multidisciplinary outpatient pain clinics (2018-2023) for unsupervised hierarchical clustering. Clusters were defined by anxiety, depression, pain catastrophizing, and kinesiophobia. Sociodemographics, pain characteristics, diagnosis, lifestyle, health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and treatment efficacy were compared among clusters. A prediction model was built utilizing a minimum set of questions to reliably assess cluster allocation. Results: Among 5,454 patients with chronic pain, three clusters emerged. Cluster 1 (n=750) was characterized by high psychological burden, low HRQoL, lower educational levels and employment rates, and more smoking. Cluster 2 (n=1,795) showed low psychological burden, intermediate HRQoL, higher educational levels and employment rates, and more alcohol consumption. Cluster 3 (n=2,909) showed intermediate features. Pain reduction following treatment was least in cluster 1 (28.6% after capsaicin patch, 18.2% after multidisciplinary treatment), compared to >50% in clusters 2 and 3. A model incorporating 15 psychometric questions reliably predicted cluster allocation. In conclusion, our study identifies distinct chronic pain patient clusters through 15 psychometric questions, revealing one cluster with notably poorer response to conventional treatment. Our prediction model may help clinicians improve treatment by allowing patient-subgroup targeted therapy according to cluster allocation.### Competing Interest StatementRijsdijk and Huygen are consultants for Synerkine Pharma, not receiving funding related to present study.### Funding StatementThis study was funded by The Centre for Unusual Collaborations (CUCo)### Author DeclarationsI confirm all relevant ethical guidelines have been followed, and any necessary IRB and/or ethics committee approvals have been obtained.YesThe details of the IRB/oversight body that provided approval or exemption for the research described are given below:The Medical Research Ethics Committees of the University Medical Center Utrecht (MEC-21/358) and of the Erasmus Medical Center Rotterdam (MEC-2023-0161) both approved this study and waived the requirement to obtain informed consent.I confirm that all necessary patient/participant consent has been obtained and the appropriate institutional forms have been archived, and that any patient/participant/sample identifiers included were not known to anyone (e.g., hospital staff, patients or participants themselves) outside the research group so cannot be used to identify individuals.YesI understand that all clinical trials and any other prospective interventional studies must be registered with an ICMJE-approved registry, such as ClinicalTrials.gov. I confirm that any such study reported in the manuscript has been registered and the trial registration ID is provided (note: if posting a prospective study registered retrospectively, please provide a statement in the trial ID field explaining why the study was not registered in advance).YesI have followed all appropriate research reporting guidelines, such as any relevant EQUATOR Network research reporting checklist(s) and other pertinent material, if applicable.YesAll data produced in the present work are contained in the manuscript

Climate scientists and others are urged to communicate climate science in a way that non-scientific audiences can understand, that makes it more relevant to their lives and experiences, and that inspires them to act. To achieve this, climate scientists undertake a range of climate communication activities to engage people with climate change. With the effort and time spent on climate communication activities comes the need to evaluate the outcomes, impact, and effectiveness of such efforts. Here, we aimed to gain insight into the impact and effectiveness of climate communication efforts by scientists by conducting a systematic literature review. However, our most important finding is that there are hardly any studies in which climate communication activities by scientists are evaluated: we found only seven articles over the past 10 years. We analyze these articles for the role of the scientists, the audiences reached, and the reported outcomes and impact of the activities. We end our study with several recommendations that should be considered when setting up studies on evaluating the impact of climate communication activities by scientists.

This book brings together insights from literary and cultural studies, psychology, and communication science to analyze the impact of humor and satire on both individual and collective behavior to mitigate the climate problem.It has emerged from a profound concern about climate change and the alarming findings of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).As our world is plagued by severe droughts, floods, and emerging diseases, the measures taken to address climate change often prove to be insufficiently effective.This book explores the potential role of humor and satire in breaking through the resistance experienced by citizens, organizations, and politicians when pursuing concrete and effective solutions to the climate problem.Research on the impact of satire on the climate debate provides a refreshing and original perspective.The authors correctly point out that technocratic solutions are inadequate to address ecological problems; cultural, political, and social changes are also required.Art and culture can play a significant role in these societal transformations, as they can influence how people define, represent, and communicate the climate problem.Nevertheless, the influence of art and culture on societal outcomes is often underestimated in scientific research.The authors aim to create a solid knowledge base, with a focus on the profound relationships among all forms of life on Earth.They strive for a more optimistic approach to the typically alarming communication about climate change.Furthermore, they aim to facilitate a just, inclusive, and sustainable transition, ensuring that the burdens of this transformation are not disproportionately shifted onto groups in society that already feel marginalized and excluded.An equitable and balanced process can also provide the green movement with the opportunity to unite various social groups.The authors acknowledge that humor can play both a negative and positive role in the necessary transition.On the one hand, humor can be used to exacerbate existing problems, such as when politicians trivialize issues or marketers use humor to promote increased consumption.On the other hand, humor can be positively used to reduce existing problems, for example, by ridiculing harmful attitudes and

ABSTRACTPeople can be moved and touched by exceptional closeness between people or by outstanding willpower. We investigated the causal effect of these feelings on motivations. We based our research on the previously identified phenomenon that feelings of being moved are stronger in unfavourable circumstances (e.g. psychological closeness after conflict, high achievement against all odds). In two studies in the US (N1 = 136) and in Germany (N2 = 161), we independently varied context (love vs. willpower) and circumstances (favourable vs. unfavourable) in short stories and assessed feelings of being moved as well as the motivation to show love and the motivation to show willpower after each story. In both contexts and consistent across the two studies, unfavourable circumstances elicited stronger motivations to show love as well as stronger motivations to show willpower. Multilevel mediation modelling revealed that these effects were mediated by feelings of being moved. This indicates that feelings of being moved enhance pro-social as well as achievement-related motivations.

This quantitative survey study aimed to identify “active ingredients” of a science festival in The Netherlands. Active ingredients are the elements of science communication activities that drive the impact on visitors' knowledge, attitudes, or behavior. Factor analyses of data from on-site surveys conducted in two different festival years (Total N=456) revealed three active ingredients: personal relevance, accessibility, and interactivity. Furthermore, the analyses revealed two impacts: increased knowledge/insight and increased familiarity with science. The strongest predictor of impact was personal relevance, which denotes the feeling that the festival activities touched on visitors' emotions and personal life.

This experiment had three novel aims: 1). To test the (pre-registered) hypothesis that a 4-minute, locally produced film about inclusiveness reduces intergroup bias and increases cohesion among city residents; 2). To explore whether a local message (i.e., targeted at the respective city) or a universal message (i.e., targeted at people in general) is more effective; 3). To explore whether a dual identity message creates stronger bias reduction. City residents (N = 902) of various ages, educational and professional backgrounds watched the local film, the universal film, or no film. A subsequent survey showed that both films were (equally) effective in reducing in-group favoritism and increasing cohesion, pro-diversity norms, attitudes, and pro-diversity motivation. They were not effective in increasing support for pro-diversity policy or pro-diversity behavior. Perception of a dual identity message predicted stronger bias reduction. We conclude that a short film can cause a small but significant improvement in inclusiveness.

How is public engagement perceived to contribute to open science? This commentary highlights common reflections on this question from interviews with 12 public engagement fellows in Utrecht University’s Open Science Programme in the Netherlands. We identify four reasons why public engagement is an essential enabler of open science. Interaction between academics and society can: (1) better align science with the needs of society; (2) secure a relationship of trust between science and society; (3) increase the quality and impact of science; and (4) support the impact of open access and FAIR data practices (data which meet principles of findability, accessibility, interoperability and reusability). To be successful and sustainable, such public engagement requires support in skills training and a form of institutionalisation in a university-wide system, but, most of all, the fellows express the importance of a formal and informal recognition and rewards system. Our findings suggest that in order to make public engagement an integral part of open science, universities should invest in institutional support, create awareness, and stimulate dialogue among staff members on how to ‘do’ good public engagement.

Samenvatting Het evalueren van de effecten en uiteindelijke impact van activiteiten binnen de wetenschapscommunicatie blijft voer voor discussie. In deze paper schetsen wij daarom een theoretisch kader en een nieuwe systematische aanpak voor het meten van de impact in het veld. Deze aanpak brengt nieuwe inzichten samen die de beoogde doelgroepen en de werkzame ingrediënten van wetenschapscommunicatie in kaart kunnen brengen.

Meta-analyses have shown that there is a lack of reliable pathways to measure the impact of science communication across a variety of activi-ties. In order to inform scientists and practitioners on the value of impact evaluations and provide them with the necessary building blocks to set up effective impact plans, this paper proposes a new systematic approach. This approach, first of all, consists of a theoretical framework to define and describe possible output, outcomes and impact. Secondly, a set of ready-to-use questions is presented, as well as a practical toolbox, to outline and create an adequate impact plan, after which leading principles and practical implications are discussed. This paper provides scientists and practitioners with a reliable pathway to draft their own evaluation plans, while allowing them to keep into account the wants and needs of their particular activities in the rich and complex field of science communication.

Narrative advertisements (i.e. ads that resemble short films that include characters, drama, and plot structure) are increasingly popular on TV and on the Internet. As in almost any film, music can play a vital role in the experience and impact of narrative ads. This chapter identifies psychological transportation as an important mediator between music and persuasion by narrative ads. Transportation refers to a strong emotional and cognitive involvement in the ad, a sense of being “lost” in the narrative. Previous studies show that transportation plays a mediating role in various aspects of persuasion, such as changing viewers’ beliefs, attitudes, and even behavior. This chapter begins with an overview of the literature on psychological transportation, focusing on its essential elements, moderating factors, and consequences for persuasion. The author then discusses the intriguing possibility that music plays an important role in promoting psychological transportation into narrative ads and reviews initial experimental evidence supporting this idea. Special attention will be paid to the role of “moving” (i.e. intensely emotional and chills-evoking) music, as it appears to be particularly effective in eliciting psychological transportation. Finally, the chapter closes with some enduring questions to be addressed in future studies.

Abstract During the first months of the corona crisis, people worldwide produced and shared thousands of uplifting (e.g., humorous, moving) media messages. The six studies reported here empirically tested the consolatory effects of viewing such positive media messages in the US, The Netherlands, and the UK. I compared the impact of humorous and moving (i.e., touching, heartwarming) messages, as they provide different kinds of well-being: hedonic versus eudaimonic. Studies 1–3 had correlational designs. Largely in line with the hedonic versus eudaimonic well-being framework, the results suggested that humorous messages lift people’s spirits by providing pleasure, while moving messages lift people’s spirits by providing realism, optimism, and by illustrating core human values. Studies 4–6 used a pre- and post-measure of negative and positive emotions. The results showed that viewing non-moving humorous messages significantly reduced negative emotions but did not increase positive emotions. Viewing non-humorous moving messages reduced negative emotions and increased positive emotions in the US and UK, but not in The Netherlands. Finally, viewing messages that are both humorous and moving reduced negative emotions and increased positive emotions in all samples, implying they are particularly valuable as mood-enhancers during crises. The practical and theoretical implications of these findings are discussed.

Trust in leaders is central to citizen compliance with public policies. One potential determinant of trust is how leaders resolve conflicts between utilitarian and non- utilitarian ethical principles in moral dilemmas. Past research suggests that utilitarian responses to dilemmas can both erode and enhance trust in leaders: sacrificing some people to save many others (‘instrumental harm’) reduces trust, while maximizing the welfare of everyone equally (‘impartial beneficence’) may increase trust. In a multi-site experiment spanning 22 countries on six continents, participants (N = 23,929) completed self-report (N = 17,591) and behavioral (N = 12,638) measures of trust in leaders who endorsed utilitarian or non-utilitarian principles in dilemmas concerning the COVID-19 pandemic. Across both the self-report and behavioral measures, endorsement of instrumental harm decreased trust, while endorsement of impartial beneficence increased trust. These results show how support for different ethical principles can impact trust in leaders, and inform effective public communication during times of global crisis.

People often receive information about scientific developments and new technologies from peers and via social media instead of from the original source. During this process, information may get lost or distorted, resulting in an inaccurate perception of the technologies’ risks and benefits. It has been hypothesized that people’s trust in the information source and their initial attitude toward the technology are drivers of this distortion. In two experiments, participants received information about a new technology that elicited either a positive or a negative attitude and that was provided by a trusted source or a less trusted source. They were asked to write down what they would tell a friend about it. Both the initial attitude and the source trustworthiness influenced what and how participants communicated about the new technology.

ABSTRACT:Trust in leaders is central to citizen compliance with public policies. One potential determinant of trust is how leaders resolve conflicts between utilitarian and non-utilitarian ethical principles in moral dilemmas. Past research suggests utilitarian responses to dilemmas can both erode and enhance trust in leaders: sacrificing some people to save many others (i.e., instrumental harm) reduces trust, while impartially maximizing the welfare of everyone equally (i.e., impartial beneficence) may increase trust. Here, we investigate moral dilemmas and trust in leaders during the COVID-19 pandemic. Across 22 countries on 6 continents, participants will complete behavioral and self-reported measures of trust in leaders who endorse either utilitarian or non-utilitarian principles in COVID-19 dilemmas. We predict that endorsement of instrumental harm will decrease trust, while endorsement of impartial beneficence will increase trust. These results can advance our understanding of trust in leaders and inform effective public communication during times of crisis.ITEMS:Stage 1 Registered Report Protocol & Stage 1 Registered Report Supplementary Information.

ObjectiveFor centuries, researchers have been interested in the factors determining political preference. These four studies tested the prediction that a match between political leaders’ and voters’ implicit motives – i.e., non-conscious tendencies to strive for particular social rewards – predicts the appeal of leaders.MethodWe used student samples in all studies (Study 1a: N = 100; Study 1b: N = 52; Study 2: N = 72; Study 3: N = 62). We assessed two implicit motives: (a) the achievement motive, which refers to striving for excellence, and (b) the affiliation motive, which refers to striving for social harmony. Correlational analyses and polynomial regression with response surface analysis were used to assess the relation between implicit motives and political preference.ResultsParticipants were more likely to positively evaluate and vote for politicians whose speeches indicated a motive profile that matched their own implicit motives. Thus, people who are relatively achievement-motivated prefer relatively achievement-motivated candidates, and participants who are relatively affiliation-motivated prefer relatively affiliation -motivated candidates. Conversely, explicitly measured motives did not have these predictive effects.ConclusionsThese results indicate that individual differences in implicit motives play a significant role in political preference.