title: Creating Hostility and Conflict: Effects of Entitlement and Self-Image Goals.
abstract: People who feel entitled to admiration and respect from others do not make good companions. This research shows one reason why. Entitled people adopt self-image goals (goals that aim to construct and defend a positive self-image), which then lead to interpersonal conflict and hostility. Studies 1A and 1B documented a unique relation between entitlement and self-image goals. Study 2 extended these results by showing, via a longitudinal design, that entitlement prospectively predicts chronic self-image goals. These chronic self-image goals then predict chronic relationship conflict and hostility, all averaged over 10 weeks. Further, Study 2 revealed that self-image goals mediate the effect of pretest entitlement on both weekly hostility and conflict. These results suggest that by pursuing self-image goals, entitled people create conflict and hostility in their relationships.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Michigan.
authors.forename: Scott J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Moeller
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Crocker
authors.forename: Brad J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Bushman