title: The dynamic interplay between perceived true self-knowledge and decision satisfaction.
abstract: The present research used multiple methods to examine the hypothesis that perceived true self-knowledge and decision satisfaction are inextricably linked together by a widely held "true-self-as-guide" lay theory of decision making. Consistent with this proposition, Study 1 found that participants rated using the true self as a guide as more important for achieving personal satisfaction than a variety of other potential decision-making strategies. After establishing the prevalence of this lay theory, the remaining studies then focused on examining the proposed consequent relationship between perceived true self-knowledge and decision satisfaction. Consistent with hypotheses, 2 cross-sectional correlational studies (Studies 2 and 3) found a positive relationship between perceived true self-knowledge and decision satisfaction for different types of major decisions. Study 4 used daily diary methods to demonstrate that fluctuations in perceived true self-knowledge reliably covary with fluctuations in decision satisfaction. Finally, 2 studies directly examined the causal direction of this relationship through experimental manipulation and revealed that the relationship is truly bidirectional. More specifically, Study 5 showed that manipulating perceived knowledge of the true self (but not other self-concepts) directly affects decision satisfaction. Study 6 showed that this effect also works in reverse by manipulating feelings of decision satisfaction, which directly affected perceived knowledge of the true self (but not other self-concepts). Taken together, these studies suggest that people believe the true self should be used as a guide when making major life decisions and that this belief has observable consequences for the self and decision making.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Texas A&M University. College Station, TX 77843, USA. schlegelrj@gmail.com
authors.forename: Rebecca J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Schlegel
authors.forename: Joshua A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Hicks
authors.forename: William E
authors.initials: WE
authors.lastname: Davis
authors.forename: Kelly A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Hirsch
authors.forename: Christina M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Smith
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect; D000368:Aged; D003657:Decision Making; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D012649:Self Concept; D055815:Young Adult