A dataset of Zero-Sum Beliefs Reduce Recipients’ Positive Responses to Helpers

This dataset contains four subdatasets. We collected all data through Credamo (credamo.com), a Chinese paid research platform similar to MTurk and Prolific, providing access to a diverse pool of qualified participants. Subdataset 1 aims to test Hypothesis 1 (i.e., Zero-sum beliefs reduce recipients’ positive responses toward helpers for task-related help rather than person-related help). It contains the following variables: zero-sum beliefs (7 items, measured), help forms (task-related help vs person-related help, manipulated) and corresponding manipulation check (2 items), recipients’ positive responses toward helpers (6 items, measured), and participants’ age and gender.Both subdataset 2a and 2b aim to test Hypothesis 2a (i.e., The negative effect of zero-sum beliefs on recipients’ positive responses toward helpers is mediated by perceived egoistic motives of helpers) and 2b (i.e., The negative effect of zero‑sum beliefs on recipients’ positive responses to helpers is mediated by self‑threat).

Both of them contain the following variables: zero-sum beliefs (manipulated) and corresponding manipulation check (5 items), perceived egoistic motives of helpers (11 items), self‑threat (6 items), recipients’ positive responses toward helpers (6 items, measured), and participants’ age and gender. Besides, subdataset 2a contains measurement of general competitive orientation (3 items) and desire for workplace success (one item).Subdataset 3 aims to test Hypothesis 3 (i.e., The negative effect of zero‑sum beliefs on recipients’ positive responses toward helpers is weaker for autonomy‑oriented help than for dependency‑oriented help), along with Hypothesis 2a and 2b.