Exploring the relation of independent and interdependent self-construals to why and how people pursue personal goals.
The authors examined whether independent or interdependent self-construals were associated with the way in which individuals pursued personal goals. Individuals with an independent self-construal orient toward personal-goal pursuit, whereas individuals with interdependent self-construal prioritize in-group goals above personal ones. The authors used a 1-week, prospective goal-setting paradigm. The present results revealed that interdependent self-construals were significantly associated with introjected reasons for pursuing goals, experiencing conflict among goals, and achieving less goal progress. Independent self-construals were significantly associated with intrinsic and identified reasons for goal pursuit and greater goal progress. There was some evidence that the relation of interdependent and independent self-construals to goal progress was mediated by goal conflict and goal intrinsic motivation, respectively. The present results also replicated previous research indicating the goal-setting benefits of intrinsic motivation, implementation intentions, and goal harmony.
Downie
Michelle
M
Department of Psychology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Koestner
Richard
R
Horberg
Elizabeth
E
Haga
Silje
S
D000124:Achievement; D000328:Adult; D001290:Attitude; D005260:Female; D006040:Goals; D006801:Humans; D033182:Intention; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires