How goal instrumentality shapes relationship evaluations.
Findings from 6 experiments support the hypothesis that relationship evaluations and behavioral tendencies are goal dependent, reflecting the instrumentality of significant others for the self's progress toward currently active goals. Experiments 1 and 3 found that active goals can automatically bring to mind significant others who are instrumental for the activated goal, heightening their accessibility relative to noninstrumental others. Experiments 2-5 found that active goals cause individuals to evaluate instrumental others more positively, draw closer to them, and approach them more readily, compared with noninstrumental others. Experiment 6 found that people who engage in goal-dependent interpersonal evaluations are more successful, receiving higher grades. Implications for understanding the social nature of self-regulation and the impact of personal goals on interpersonal relationships are discussed.
Fitzsimons
Gráinne M
GM
Department of Psychology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. grainne@uwaterloo.ca
Shah
James Y
JY
D000124:Achievement; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D005260:Female; D006040:Goals; D006801:Humans; D033182:Intention; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D012927:Social Control, Informal; D012938:Social Perception; D012944:Social Support