European Journal of Behavioral Sciences

Beyond Deterrence

Eldad Bar Lev — 2025-09-22

This paper integrates behavioral economic frameworks with comparative institutional analysis to explain tax compliance beyond traditional deterrence approaches. Drawing on empirical evidence from Scandinavian countries (Sweden, Norway, Denmark), characterized by high trust and voluntary compliance, and contrasting them with low trust contexts (Israel and Greece), the study highlights the critical roles of intrinsic motivations, social norms, and institutional trust in shaping taxpayer behavior. The findings extend the "slippery slope" framework by demonstrating how institutional legitimacy fosters voluntary compliance more effectively than coercive enforcement. Practical insights for policymakers include enhancing transparency, civic engagement, procedural fairness, and targeted behavioral nudges.

Linking Peer Relational Aggression Victimization to Internalizing Symptoms during Adolescence

Chia-Hsien Lu — 2025-09-22

Some studies indicated that relational aggression victimization may impact adolescents’ internalizing symptoms; however, no related research has been done to demonstrate theoretical perspectives and the mediating or moderating mechanisms of relational aggression victimization’s impact on internalizing symptoms during adolescence. Therefore, this paper conducted a narrative review and proposed a framework to understanding the mediating and moderating mechanisms of the relationship between relational aggression victimization and internalizing symptoms during adolescence. In conclusion, three mediating mechanisms have been found: (1) Negative Self-evaluation System, (2) Adverse Interpersonal Situation, and (3) Poor Quality of Friendships, and may be moderated by gender, emotional support, and rumination. Due to some questions and issues in this research field had not been answered well, we suggested some implications for future research in the end of the paper.

A Quantitative Analysis of Psychological and Economic Factors Affecting Sanitation Workers

Vedant Dhingra — 2025-09-22

The study examines the psychological and economic well-being of sewage workers in Gurugram through a quantitative approach with special emphasis on the health vulnerabilities they are exposed to. The paper aims to shed light on the problems faced by workers and their impact on workers’ well-being. The study utilises a mixed methods approach including quantitative surveys and personal interviews. A total of 100 sewage workers were surveyed. The study used the following scales: Hamilton Anxiety scale, Occupational Stress scale, WHOQOL BREF, Financial Well-being scale, and Knowledge about Health Risks scale. The data collected through the survey was used to conduct statistical tests like ANOVA, correlation, and regression. In addition to the surveys, 12 respondents were also interviewed, and their responses were thematically analysed. The study found that expenditure had a significant positive correlation with anxiety and a significant negative correlation with quality of life and financial well-being. Meanwhile, anxiety had a significant negative correlation with quality of life and financial well-being, and vice versa. Furthermore, it was found that most of the workers interviewed believed that schemes or savings accounts provide no help or benefit to unorganised workers, attempted to get a loan but had been denied one, and experienced significant stress and suffered from physical injuries while refusing to seek professional help due to the increased cost. Using quantitative and qualitative analysis tools, the study was able to better determine and understand the state of the workers while increasing awareness about the obstacles faced by them.

The Role of Empathy and Gratitude in NGO Schools: A Study at Diksha School in Gurgaon

Archisha Dixit — 2025-09-22

This study explores the impact of empathy and gratitude on educational outcomes among adolescents at Diksha School, an NGO-run institution in Gurgaon, India serving students from marginalized backgrounds. A quantitative experimental design was employed, involving 69 students from grades 7 to 12. The respondents were further divided into control and experimental groups, with students from grade 7th and 12th being control group participants (N=35) and students in grade 8th and 10th being experimental group participants (N= 34). The participants in the experimental group received a structured intervention called the “Chit system” where students would list down good deeds done by their peers, and the chits directed towards the peer were read in front of the whole class once and aimed at fostering empathy and gratitude. Pre- and post-intervention assessments utilized the Toronto Empathy Questionnaire and the Gratitude Questionnaire–Six Item Form. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, paired t-tests, ANOVA, and regression analysis. Results indicated significant increases in both empathy and gratitude scores from pre- to post-test across groups, with the intervention group showing greater improvements in gratitude (p = .007) and a significant interaction between time and group (p = .031), highlighting the effectiveness of the intervention. Empathy scores also rose significantly (p .001), underscoring the value of targeted emotional development programs.The study concludes that integrating empathy and gratitude into educational practice can strengthen both social and emotional outcomes, offering a replicable model for other NGO schools seeking to create supportive, inclusive learning environments for disadvantaged youth.