Abstract (150 Words)
Abstract: Previous studies have explored residents’ prosocial behavior toward tourists from the economic and normative perspectives at the macro level. Few studies have investigated the impact of individuals’ emotional state on prosocial behavior. That is, how would residents’ emotional states impact their prosocial behavior toward tourists? An experiment was administered which revealed that: (1). Residents who are affectively aroused are more likely to help a tourist over those who are not; (2). Positive affect is more likely to impact residents’ prosocial behavior compared to negative affect; (3). Female residents are more prone to exert prosocial behavior towards tourists than male residents with respect to time they contribute and the helping behavior they offer while there were no significant differences in the willingness to help, the positivity of their feelings regarding helping, and committed time to help between genders. This research examined affect as new antecedent of prosocial behavior in the tourism context. Theoretical and practical implications for making destinations more tourist-friendly are discussed.
Good mood, good deed? The role of affect on residents’ helping behavior
Abstract: Previous studies have explored residents’ prosocial behavior toward tourists from the economic and normative perspectives at the macro level. Few studies have investigated the impact of individuals’ emotional state on prosocial behavior. That is, how would residents’ emotional states impact their prosocial behavior toward tourists? An experiment was administered which revealed that: (1). Residents who are affectively aroused are more likely to help a tourist over those who are not; (2). Positive affect is more likely to impact residents’ prosocial behavior compared to negative affect; (3). Female residents are more prone to exert prosocial behavior towards tourists than male residents with respect to time they contribute and the helping behavior they offer while there were no significant differences in the willingness to help, the positivity of their feelings regarding helping, and committed time to help between genders. This research examined affect as new antecedent of prosocial behavior in the tourism context. Theoretical and practical implications for making destinations more tourist-friendly are discussed.
