俭以养德?节俭对亲社会行为的双刃剑效应及其理论解释

Can frugality nurture virtue?The dual-edged sword effect of frugality on prosocial behavior and its theoretical interpretations

随着社会物质经济的发展,节俭不断被赋予新的时代意蕴。作为中华民族的传统美德之一,节俭素来享誉“美名”。然而,节俭所导致的结果是否总合乎道德?本文试图系统地回答这一问题,分别从积极面和消极面揭示了节俭对亲社会行为的双刃剑效应。上述效应的发生可基于资源保存理论、自我控制理论、生命史理论、自我决定理论、社会交换理论、机会成本理论和有限注意理论等视角进行解释。未来研究可进一步厘清和开发节俭的道德内涵,开展节俭相关后效的跨文化研究,识别不同类型亲社会行为中节俭的共同作用,探寻统一双刃剑效应的理论框架和边界情境,以及验证道德情绪作为心理机制的解释作用,进而推动节俭心理学和亲社会行为研究的融合与发展。

As the material economy continues to develop,frugality is constantly endowed with new significance in the modern era.As one of the traditional virtues of the Chinese nation,frugality has enjoyed a good reputation.However,does the outcome resulting from frugality always align with ethics?This article attempts to systematically answer this question,revealing the dual-edged effects of frugality on prosocial behaviors from both positive aspects(e.g.,enhancing self-control,strengthening social connection,and increasing willingness to cooperate)and negative aspects(e.g.,increasing self-interest and cost considerations and reducing perceptions of human nature).The occurrence of these effects can be explained from perspectives such as the theory of resource conservation,self-control theory,life history theory,self-determination theory,social exchange theory,opportunity cost theory,and limited attention theory.There are several directions worth exploring in terms of this topic.Future research could further clarify and develop the moral implications of frugality,conduct cross-cultural studies on the aftereffects of frugality,identify the common role of frugality in different types of prosocial behaviors,explore a theoretical framework and boundary conditions for the unified dual-edged effects,and verify the explanatory role of moral emotions(e.g.,gratitude)as psychological mechanisms.These endeavors will promote the integration and development of frugality psychology and prosocial behavior research.