Hi everyone,
Research has demonstrated that it is possible to motivate behaviour through anticipated positive impact on self-concept (see linked paper as example).
What would happen though, if the subject was in a state of reduced concern for that particular self-schema?
For example, if in Bolderdijk's study people had been manipulated to show reduced regard for a pro-environmentalist self-concept schema - would an anticipated positive impact on this schema still motive them (to any extent) to behave pro-environmentally?
Generally speaking, are self-schemas robust enough to withstand temporal manipulations, thus intrinsically and consistently motivating behaviour?
Thank you in advance for any thoughts or comments!
Atar
http://www.nature.com/nclimate/journal/v3/n4/full/nclimate1767.html
I beg perdon for my bad english.
I think yes, if at least some conditions are controled: the anticipated achive is close the repertory of the people concerned (no more frustration!); persone asses (or valorates) his possibilities to do it, first alone, second with a mentor; the process advances progressively and consolidates the participation of person..........Best regards
Hi Atar,
conceiving of self-concepts as related to identity goals (e.g., the goal of being green), there is research suggesting that behaviors related to this goal (e.g., switching off the lights when leaving a room) are less likely to be performed in a state of goal completeness (e.g., after having performed a respective behavior already). See:
Longoni, C., Gollwitzer. P. M., & Oettingen, G. (2014). A green paradox: Validating green choices has ironic effects on behavior, cognition, and perception. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 50, 158-165.
Maybe this strand of research helps answering your question.
Best, Maik
I like your question. You have a sense of the answer. The impact is diminished over both short and long term. Not eradicated but diminished. It would be worth a study to look at the correlations. The study would generate more work.
My research and those of close colleagues has focused on physical self-perceptions. Based on my readings I have always maintained that in order to understand the effect of the self on choice and persistence in behavior then you have to consider the person's cultural and sub-culture inspired values. If you are anticipating engagement then the person must value that outcome for example in our case 'I want to be good at sport' . The work started by James back in 1900s and picked up by Susan Harter in the 80s supports this notion through the study of perceived importance. More recently Magnus LIndwall published a comprehensive piece of work indicating empirical support within the physical domain. I think it would predict that there would be little effect in the case you present. Indeed it is unlikely they would approach the setting in the first place.
Article The Importance of Importance in the Physical Self: Support f...
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