reading “a good book” reducing vulgarity of the mass : moralizing effects of a classical good...

Reading “A Good Book” Reducing Vulgarity of the Mass :

Moralizing Effects of a Classical Good Book in Social Dilemmas

- Hokkaido Development Engineering Center

Kyosuke IJICHI

- Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Tokyo Institute of Technology

Tsuyoshi HATORI

- Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University

Satoshi FUJII

13th International Conference on Social Dilemmas

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Introduction


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The ultimate objective of SD researchHow can we solve social dilemmas in the real world?

One simple answerAll the proselfs become prosocials.

Next questionHow ?

Answer???


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Who is proself?

One possibility to theorize “who is proself” is ….. to refer the philosophical discussion on “the mass man” by Ortega. (Fujii, et al., 2007; Hatori et al., 2009)


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“the mass man” by Ortega.

Ortega y Gasset (1914), a political philosopher in Spain, discussed in “La rebelion de las masas” that the vulgar masses had emerged in modern age, and they violated various kinds of good traditions, beautiful things, and social systems.

The important characteristics of his theory was “the masses” was

regarded as psychological disposition (not a social class), rather than the volume of people. “The masses” can be found in any classes and in any occupations.

The Rebellion of the Masses (La rebelion de las masas)


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Who is the mass man?

There are a lot of descriptions of “the masses” (or the mass man) in the Ortega’s book.

Ex.) “The mass man never be critical toward themselves, and he regards himself as a sensible man.”

40 items were developed as measure for “the masses” (Fujii et al., 2007) from the descriptions of the book. For example, the following was developed from the above descriptions. “I think my opinion is always right.”


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Who is the masses? The 40 scores for the massesWhat restrict me is nothing than myself.I think my opinion is always right.I feel that I will win all the time.I am sure my preference should be reflected to society.I should not listen to the others' opinion. I am not interested in reasons.I am not interested in backgrounds.Japan may be disappeared in the future. Every problems would be solved by techniques.I think I am I, and the others are the just others.I must not committed our own things to the others. I would like to live freely from moral or ethics.

I respect traditional things. (*)The world is occupied by what should be appreciated..(*)I feel the world is occupied by wonders.(*)We have obligation to inherit, to improve and to hand traditions to the next generation.(*)I demand a lot to myself.(*)I can not find any significance of my life without tihngs to contribute.(*)I alwais take responsibility.(*) etc…. *:rev


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What restrict me is nothing than myself.I think my opinion is always right.I feel that I will win all the time.I am sure my preference should be reflected to society.I should not listen to the others' opinion. I am not interested in reasons.I am not interested in backgrounds.Japan may be disappeared in the future. Every problems would be solved by techniques.I think I am I, and the others are the just others.I must not committed our own things to the others. I would like to live freely from moral or ethics.

I respect traditional things. (*)The world is occupied by what should be appreciated..(*)I feel the world is occupied by wonders.(*)We have obligation to inherit, to improve and to hand traditions to the next generation.(*)I demand a lot to myself.(*)I can not find any significance of my life without tihngs to contribute.(*)I alwais take responsibility.(*) etc….

Principle component analysis for the scores of the masses

Arrogance

Autosynnoia

Who is the masses?

*:rev


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Conclusion in previous study (Fujii et al., 2007)

The masses Ortega defined in Spain in early 20th can be found in Japan in early 21st, as well.

They were significantly correlated with pro-self.

The mass man, who has the both aspects together, defects more than proself.


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Research Question

How can we reduce the tendency of the Mass man ?

One simple and traditional approach would be education through a “good book.”

The research purpose is to test the effectiveness of this simple approach, using a classical book (by Uchimura Kanzo).


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～　 Representative Men of Japan (Uchimura,1908)

　～

● Edification Book It contains : Japanese traditional ethic : Japanese noble-mindedness

● Human history of five Japanese men　　 - Takamori Saigo / Youzan Uesugi　　 / Sontoku Ninomiya / Tojyu Nakae / Nichiren

- Until now, this book has been read by many children, and also by many adults in Japan

-This book is highly regarded also in foreign country （ U.S.A / Germany / Denmark.. ）

(for example J.F.Kennedy read this book!!)


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■ Hypothesis

Reading “Representative Men of Japan”would reduce the spiritual vulgarity of the masses

To test this hypothesis, an experiment was implemented


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Method Participants = 300 students in Tokyo Institute of Technology (male = 66.2%, mean age = 20.8)

They were assigned randomly to.. Cont. group (n = 100) = make them to read “You Tube Revolution” Exp. Group (n = 200) = make them to read “Representative Men of Japan” (note: they were asked to write a report for the book)

We measure “the mass man measure” immediately before and 2 weeks after reading the book (=the deadline for the report).


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2. 80

2. 85

2. 90

2. 95

3. 00

3. 05

wave1 wave2

EGCG

before reading book

after reading book

Result

Fig. Change in Mean of “autosynnoia”Fig. Change in Mean of “arrogance”

Reading “The Representative Men of Japan”reduce

the spiritual vulgarity of the masses

(supported the hypothesis)

At least for 2 weeks after reading “The Representative Men of Japan”,

“the arrogance” tendency was reduced

2. 90

3. 00

3. 10

3. 20

3. 30

3. 40

3. 50

3. 60

wave1 wave2

EGCG

before reading book

after reading book

“Uchimura” book“You Tube” book

Significant

“Uchimura” book“You Tube” book


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We did regression analysis where a dependent variable was “change in the mass man measure”.

The step wise method yields the variables regarding good communications and good upbringing in home, in childhoodwere significant.

For whom, the good book was influential…?

EG CG t p

discipline -0.06 0.13 1.82 .07

child11 -0.11 0.00 2.03 .04

child17 0.02 0.10 1.89 .06

child23 -0.09 0.06 2.06 .04

child24 0.00 0.09 1.78 .08

discipline

child11

child17

child23

child24

Have you usually said daily greetings such as good morning or prayed before having meal at home?Have there been held seasonal festivals including Hinamatsuri (girls day) or Tango-no-sekku (boys day) at home?

Have you had good communications with your family?

Have you discussed social problems with your family at home?

■ dependent variable :the difference of vulgarity scale

communication with family and discipline

explanningvariable

B t- test

＊： 5% level significant

Influence of reading “The Representative Men of Japan”

was larger for those who disciplined and have more communication at home


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Conclusion


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Conclusion

Reading the classic book “Representative Men of Japan” might have relevant effects toprevent massification of human being

Promotion such classic book might be efficaciousin reducing defection in social dilemmas

The result suggested that

But Note that preserving ”good families for children” seems to be indispensable


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Thank you

- Hokkaido Development Engineering Center Kyosuke IJICHI


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How defective “the mass man” is? (in Fujii et al., 2007)

The mass man defects “the most” for all SDs. (Namely, the mass man measure is a stronger determinants of defection than social value orientation)

the mass is both “arrogant” and “autosynoia”

This shows how defective various types of man are.


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Participants in this experiment 1st questionnaire survey （ pre-survey ）

　 date ： 18-19th July 2007　 participants ： 300 university students in Tokyo Institute of Technology ,Japan

　　　　　　　　　　（ male : 259 ， female : 41 ， age : M=20.81 ， SD=2.18 ）

2nd questionnaire survey （ 2 weeks after reading the book ）

　 date ： 17-18th October 2007　 participants ： 124 university students in Tokyo Institute of Technology ,Japan


3rd questionnaire survey （ 3 month after reading the book ）

　 date ： 18-19th December 2007　 participants ： 110 university students in Tokyo Institute of Technology ,Japan



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Result: The difference between 1st survey and 3rd survey Analysis of variance

Fig. Change in Mean of “vulgarity” Fig. Change in Mean of “autistic”Fig. Change in Mean of “contumelious”

Table. Result of analysis of variance

3 month after reading “The Representative Men of Japan”,

it is no significant difference between groups about the change of “the vulgarity”

wave1: before reading the bookwave3: 3 month after reading the book

2. 85

2. 90

2. 95

3. 00

3. 05

3. 10

3. 15

3. 20

wave1 wave3

EGCG

2. 90

3. 00

3. 10

3. 20

3. 30

3. 40

3. 50

3. 60

wave1 wave3

EGCG

2. 70

2. 75

2. 80

2. 85

2. 90

2. 95

3. 00

3. 05

wave1 wave3

EG

CG

wave1/wave3scale × Groupe

F （n1，n3 ）（ｐ）vulgarity 0.69（1，98） .41

contumelious 0.07（1，98） .80

autistic 1.47（1，98） .23


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and now…

discipline in child period influences

the formation of the spiritual vulgarity of the masses

Effects of reading the book

was longer for those who have being well brought up ?

in the previous study…

Simple liner regression analysis

for both groups in wave3 (3 month after reading the book)

- dependent variable = the difference of “the vulgarity” - explaining variable = some scales of “Discipline” and life circumstance in child periodcompare the coefficient between the 2 groups (t-test)and then…


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Result: Influence of “life circumstance in child period” on effect of reading “The Representative Men of Japan”

EG CG t p

discipline -0.06 0.13 1.82 .07

child11 -0.11 0.00 2.03 .04

child17 0.02 0.10 1.89 .06

child23 -0.09 0.06 2.06 .04

child24 0.00 0.09 1.78 .08

discipline

child11

child17

child23

child24

Have you usually said daily greetings such as good morning or prayed before having meal at home?

Have there been held seasonal festivals including Hinamatsuri (girls day) or Tango-no-sekku (boys day) at home?

Have you had good communications with your family?

Have you discussed social problems with your family at home?

■ dependent variable :the difference of vulgarity scale

communication with family and discipline

explanningvariable

B t- test

*

*

＊： 5% level significant

Wealth of Communication at Home

discipline

Effect of reading “The Representative Men of Japan”

was larger for those who disciplined and have more communication at home


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Result :

diffusion of “A Good Book”


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EG( )％ CG( )％ χ 2 p

Yes 17 (27) 5 (13)

No 45 (73) 33 (72)

Total 62 (100) 38 (100)

2.79 .09

Result: : A possibility of reducing “the vulgarity ” by diffusion of “A Good Book”

Is there the difference of “diffusion of the book”

between Experimental Group (reading “The Representative Men of Japan”)

and Control Group (reading “You Tube Revolution”) ?

Q. Have you ever recommended the book to any persons ?

YesExperimental Group :

Control Group :

17（ 27％）

5 （ 13 ％）

Table. Result of chi-square (χ2) test

There is a tendency that“The Representative Men

of Japan”diffuse more widely

than “You Tube Revolution”

It is expected that secondary effects of measure for reducing “the vulgarity”

through diffusion of “A Good Book”


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Items of the vulgarity scale

Contumulious Factor (α =.63)

1 I am acting only on the basis of my own opinion.

2 I believe that my idea is always completely right.

3 I do not doubt my social competence.

4 My own taste should be reflected on social trends.5 I will not hear other's opinions, believing my opinion's

validity.6 I am not interested in reasonability.

7 I am not interested in backgrounds of incidents.

8 Japan might have no future. *

9 Technology is almighty for any problem.

10 I am going on my way.11 You have to decide everything concerning you by

yourself.12 I would like to live freeing from moral or ethics.

Autistic Factor (α=.64)

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14

15

16

17

18

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1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

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13 I pay respect to traditions. *14 My daily life is being filled with things which I can

accept with great gratitude. *15 The world is filled with wonders. *16 We are responsible for succeeding and improving

traditions to hand them down to the next generation. *17 I am demanding to myself. *18 I believe that my contribution to others makes my life

worth living. *19 I am willing to take responsibilities and to tackle

challenges. *α ：Cronbach's coefficient alpha *reversed item

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12


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15

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18

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α ：Cronbach's coefficient alpha *reversed item

★ 5 件法


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Ⅰ Ⅱ Ⅲ

Have you been taught social manners at home? .721 -.060 -.072

Have you usually said daily greetings such as good morning or prayed before having meal at home?.646 .025 .091

Have you been often scolded by your parents? .606 .031 -.083

Have you had good communications with your family? .494 .184 .236

Have you helped you parents, doing household work? .492 .112 -.125

Have there been held seasonal festivals including Hinamatsuri (girls day) or Tango-no-sekku (boys day) at home?.458 .234 .434

Have you discussed social problems with your family at home? .433 .196 .005

Have you been often scolded or warned by neighbors when you did wrong things ? .107 .667 -.145

Have you often played with neighbors' children? -.142 .636 .006

Have you commonly made greetings to neighbors? .261 .631 -.069

Have you always attended to community festivals or dance parties? -.025 .618 .212

Has your family been close to the next door families? .114 .600 -.165

Has your family often contacted with the relatives? .301 .436 .293

Has your family often had relatives' visits? .292 .379 .166

Have you often visited your family grave? .342 .303 .318

Has your family eaten with TV on? -.183 -.059 .637

Have your parents bought you everything you wanted to have? -.157 -.171 .533

Have you often played with TV games? -.383 .063 .500

Has you family always moved by car? .104 .079 .334

Has there been anyone at home when you were back from school? .152 -.028 .329

Fi xed rate 3.64 1.90 1.65

Contri buti on rate 18.22 9.50 8.23

Cumul ati ve contri buti on rate 18.22 27.72 35.95

2 nd factor: Mutual communication and cooperation within your community. 　 (α=.70)

3 rd factor 　 (α=.37)

Fi ve repeti t i ons resul t i n rotati on convergence.

Question Items 回転バリマックス解

1 st factor: Communications and disciplines at home. 　　 (α=.68)

★ ７件法

“Discipline” and life circumstance in child period

reading “a good book” reducing vulgarity of the mass : moralizing effects of a classical good...

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