Ioku Tomohiro
Osaka University
Graduate School of Engineering Science/ Office of Management and Planning
Email 1 : t_ioku[at]outlook.com
Email 2 : ioku.tomohiro.es[at]osaka-u.ac.jp
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Research
International Relations
This project aims to understand the reasons behind the increased interest in international conflicts sparked by Russia's invasion of Ukraine and China's unilateral attempts to change the status quo. We explore international relations using insights from adjacent fields involving social psychology, sociology, and political economy. Specifically, we investigate theories such as the 'us-them' categorization and the 'ours-theirs' theory of ownership to shed light on intergroup dynamics. Through questionnaires and vignette experiments, we seek to uncover the extent to which these theories can explain international relations.
Artificial Intelligence
At this research project, we investigate artificial intelligence (AI) and its diverse applications, including GhatGPT. However, we acknowledge that some individuals harbor aversion or skepticism toward the idea of replacing human tasks with AI. Our goal is to understand the reasons behind this aversion and explore how AI can be effectively designed and communicated to foster acceptance and trust among even those with a less favorable view of AI. Drawing on methods from various fields, such as conjoint experiments, we strive to gain insights into people's perceptions of AI and contribute to a better understanding of this transformative technology.
Consumer Psychology
Gift-giving is a way to show care and build connections with others. Recently, there have been AI tools that help people choose gifts. However, do consumers want to use such AI? People also share their opinions on social media through word-of-mouth (WOM) posts, which can be positive or negative. What factors influence people to post these reviews? This project aims to understand these behaviors and intentions using findings from consumer psychology and marketing research.
Organizational Behavior
In a work setting, collaborative projects are common among employees. This research focuses on enhancing productivity in such projects. Additionally, we investigate the impact of work stress on mental health and identify individuals who are more prone to experiencing this stress. Furthermore, we explore the characteristics of workplaces that are less likely to foster stress. Through the lens of organizational behavior research in industrial-organizational psychology, we aim to provide valuable insights and strategies to promote productivity and well-being in the workplace.
Punishment
The purpose of this research is to understand the factors that influence people's decision-making when it comes to determining the severity of punishment, such as in court settings. We examine the retributive motive, where individuals believe in 'an eye for an eye,' as well as the rehabilitative motive, aiming to support an offender's future rehabilitation. Additionally, we investigate whether the public approaches the severity of offenses for offenders in a similar manner to judges. Collaborating with experts and practitioners in law and psychology, our research explores the psychology of the public concerning punishment, shedding light on this complex topic.