Ideal versus ought predilections for approach and avoidance: distinct self-regulatory systems.
Two studies using different paradigms activated either ideal self-guides (a person's hopes or wishes) or ought self-guides (a person's sense of duty and responsibility) and measured Ss' concern with different forms of self-regulation: approaching matches to desired end states or mismatches to undesired end states and avoiding mismatches to desired end states or matches to undesired end states. A 3rd study asked ideal versus ought discrepant Ss to select among alternative strategies for friendship. The results suggest that a concern with approach is greater for ideal than ought self-regulation, whereas a concern with avoidance is greater for ought than ideal self-regulation.
Higgins
E T
ET
Department of Psychology, Columbia University, New York, New York 10027.
Roney
C J
CJ
Crowe
E
E
Hymes
C
C
D000328:Adult; D001362:Avoidance Learning; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D010552:Personality Assessment; D012649:Self Concept; D012919:Social Behavior; D012938:Social Perception