title: Beyond cause to consequence: The road from possible to core self-revision.
abstract: Two studies addressed the ultimate consequences and pathways running from repeated possible self-revisions to gradual revisions in core selves over time. As hypothesized, greater prior experiences of downward possible self-revision ultimately predicted greater subsequent declines in core self-integrity (e.g., greater self-doubt, lower self-esteem). However, also as hypothesized, this effect was mediated by the relative use of defensive vs. remedial attributions for past downward self-revision experiences. In closing, we unpack how the present work extends prior work by situating possible selves and motivated self-attributions as complementary systems that can slowly undermine as well as expand the integrity of core selves over time.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, The Ohio State University-Lima, Lima, OH, USA.
authors.forename: Patrick J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Carroll
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA.
authors.forename: Robert A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Agler
authors.affiliation: Student Affairs Research, Evaluation, & Planning, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA.
authors.forename: Daniel W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Newhart
keywords: Core Selves; Motivated Self-Attributions; Possible Selves; Self-Revision