Self-related problems beyond the self-concept: motivational consequences of discrepant self-guides.
This article considers emotional-motivational predispositions associated with self-beliefs other than the self-concept. Specifically, we examined the consequences of a chronic conflict between two valued selves. In two studies, we tested the hypothesis that people who possess conflicting standards or self-guides are vulnerable to a particular type of psychological discomfort. We found that subjects possessing discrepant self-guides experienced significantly more frequently the cluster of emotional-motivational problems predicted to be related to a chronic double approach-avoidance conflict (feeling muddled, indecisive, distractible, unsure of self or goals, rebellious, confused about identity) than did subjects without such a discrepancy. Evidence is presented that this specific relation is independent of self-concept-related beliefs and problems. However, evidence is also presented that self-guide-self-guide discrepancies influence the nature of the self-concept, which may reflect subjects' chronic difficulties with self-assessment along a dimension described by this type of discrepancy.
Van Hook
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New York University, New York 10003.
Higgins
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D003220:Conflict, Psychological; D003221:Confusion; D004532:Ego; D004644:Emotions; D006801:Humans; D009042:Motivation; D012649:Self Concept