Research on social transmission suggests that people preferentially transmit information about threats and social interactions. Such biases might be driven by the arousal that is experienced as part of the emotional response triggered by information about threats or social relationships. The current studies tested whether preferences for transmitting threat-relevant information are consistent with a functional motive to recruit social support. USA residents were recruited for six online studies. Studies 1a and 1B showed that participants more often chose to transmit positive, low-arousal vignettes (rather than negative, high-arousal vignettes involving threats and social interactions). Studies 2A and 2B showed higher intentions to transmit emotional vignettes (triggering disgust, fear, anger, or sadness) to friends (rather than to strangers or disliked acquaintances). Study 4 showed a preference for transmitting stories that participants had modified and were therefore novel and unique. Studies 2A and 3 (but not Studies 2B and 4) suggest that motivations for seeking social support might influence transmission preferences. Overall, the findings are not easily accounted for by any of the major theories of social transmission. We discuss limitations of the current studies and directions for further research.

中文翻译：

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个体选择传输决策显示出传输负或高唤醒内容的偏爱

关于社会传播的研究表明，人们优先传播有关威胁和社会互动的信息。这种偏见可能是由唤醒引起的，唤醒是关于威胁或社会关系的信息触发的情绪反应的一部分。当前的研究测试了偏好传输与威胁相关的信息是否与寻求社会支持的功能动机相一致。招募了美国居民进行六项在线研究。研究1a和1B显示，参与者更经常选择传播积极的，低煽动性的小插曲（而不是消极的，涉及威胁和社交互动的高煽动性小插曲）。研究2A和2B显示出更高的意图传达情感小插曲（引发厌恶，恐惧，愤怒，或悲伤）给朋友（而不是陌生人或不喜欢的熟人）。研究4显示出偏爱传送参与者已修改的故事的偏好，因此是新颖而独特的。研究2A和3（但不是研究2B和4）表明，寻求社会支持的动机可能会影响传播偏好。总体而言，社会传播的任何主要理论都不容易解释这些发现。我们讨论了当前研究的局限性以及进一步研究的方向。社会传播的任何主要理论都不容易解释这些发现。我们讨论了当前研究的局限性以及进一步研究的方向。社会传播的任何主要理论都不容易解释这些发现。我们讨论了当前研究的局限性以及进一步研究的方向。