Registering at the Rugby: collective mood, social identity and the organ donation decision
Moloney, G. (Southern Cross University), Sutherland, M. (ICU, Coffs Harbour Health Campus), Norton, M. (Southern Cross University), Walker, I. (The University of Canberra), Bowling, A. (Southern Cross University), Upcroft, L. (NSW Organ and Tissue Donation Service)
In Australia, organ donation decisions previously recorded on the state driver’s licence were transitioned, between 2005-2012, to the Australian Organ Donor Register (AODR) amidst concerns over the appropriateness of licencing centres for donor registrations. Registering on the AODR (as a donor or non-donor) can now be completed online or on hardcopy form and registration can happen anywhere. But, what is the ideal context for registration? We investigated whether people would register on the AODR during the pre-events of the 2017 NRL Grand Final. 217 fans completed a survey measuring team identification, positive and negative beliefs about organ donation, and perceptions of atmosphere and mood followed by the opportunity to ask questions and register immediately on-the-spot on the AODR. We expected pre-event context (mood and atmosphere, and strong team identification) would lead to higher registration rates than the national average (<30%) and interplay with reported beliefs about organ donation. Differences in strength of team identification did not relate to registration behaviour and asstrength of negative beliefs increased, the probability of registration decreased. However, 61% of not-previously-registered participants registered on-the-spot, suggesting the strong positive collective mood at the rugby coupled with an immediate opportunity to register lead to increased registration rates.
Event Timeslots (1)
-HK ALUMNI –
-
Social Identity and Intergroup Processes