Identity-Goal Threats: Engaging in Distinct Compensatory Efforts

Peter M. Gollwitzer; Michael K. Marquardt; Michaela Scherer; Kentaro Fujita

doi:10.1177/1948550612471143

Identity-Goal Threats: Engaging in Distinct Compensatory Efforts

Peter M. Gollwitzer, Michael K. Marquardt, Michaela Scherer, Kentaro Fujita

Psychology

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

We hypothesized that threatening self-aspects that pertain to an identity specified in a binding identity goal leads to distinct compensation (i.e., self-symbolizing), whereas threatening self-aspects not specified in a binding identity goal leads to general self-worth restoration. To test this hypothesis, participants with either weak or strong commitments to becoming lawyers were subjected to either a related or unrelated self-threat, and then given the opportunity to restore both the lawyer identity and general self-worth. Only participants strongly committed to become lawyers responded to a related self-threat by distinct compensation rather than general self-worth restoration. Apparently, strong commitments to an identity goal isolate this particular part of the self from the overall self.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	555-562
Number of pages	8
Journal	Social Psychological and Personality Science
Volume	4
Issue number	5
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1177/1948550612471143
State	Published - Sep 2013

Keywords

general self-worth
identity goals
self-affirmation
self-completion
self-threat

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Social Psychology
Clinical Psychology

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10.1177/1948550612471143

Cite this

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AU - Fujita, Kentaro

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AB - We hypothesized that threatening self-aspects that pertain to an identity specified in a binding identity goal leads to distinct compensation (i.e., self-symbolizing), whereas threatening self-aspects not specified in a binding identity goal leads to general self-worth restoration. To test this hypothesis, participants with either weak or strong commitments to becoming lawyers were subjected to either a related or unrelated self-threat, and then given the opportunity to restore both the lawyer identity and general self-worth. Only participants strongly committed to become lawyers responded to a related self-threat by distinct compensation rather than general self-worth restoration. Apparently, strong commitments to an identity goal isolate this particular part of the self from the overall self.

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Identity-Goal Threats: Engaging in Distinct Compensatory Efforts

Abstract

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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