An Examination of the Motivations to Maintain, Approach, and Avoid by Proximity to the Ideal State

IF 1.2 4区 心理学 Q4 PSYCHOLOGY, SOCIAL
Yael Ecker, Michael Gilead, R. Imhoff
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引用次数: 0

Abstract

The current research examined the motivations to maintain, approach, and avoid at different distances from one's ideal state. Although keeping things as they are (maintenance) is often equated with avoiding changes, we predicted pronounced differences between these goals’ motivation gradients. We reasoned that maintenance goals are energized by positive current states, leading motivation to increase with proximity to the ideal. Avoidance, in contrast, is energized by threat, and therefore decreases with proximity to the ideal, which implicates reduced threat. Three studies (N = 599) found a robust pattern wherein the motivation gradient of maintenance is distinct from both approach and avoidance. Participants reported motivation in hypothetical scenarios in the domains of financial gain and weight loss. The motivation to maintain increased with proximity to the ideal state, while both motivations to approach and avoid decreased. Our results support a ternary goal distinction and may inspire future research in that direction.
通过接近理想状态来保持、接近和避免的动机考察
目前的研究考察了保持、接近和避免与理想状态保持不同距离的动机。尽管保持现状(维护)通常等同于避免改变,但我们预测这些目标的动机梯度之间存在明显差异。我们认为,维护目标是由积极的当前状态激发的,导致动机随着接近理想而增加。相反,逃避则是受到威胁的激励,因此随着理想的接近而减少,这意味着威胁的减少。三项研究(N = 599)发现了一种稳健的模式,其中维持的动机梯度与接近和回避都不同。参与者报告了在经济增长和减肥领域的假设情景中的动机。保持的动机随着理想状态的接近而增加,而接近和避免的动机都减少。我们的结果支持三元目标区分,并可能启发未来的研究方向。
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来源期刊
Social Cognition
Social Cognition PSYCHOLOGY, SOCIAL-
CiteScore
3.00
自引率
0.00%
发文量
23
期刊介绍: An excellent resource for researchers as well as students, Social Cognition features reports on empirical research, self-perception, self-concept, social neuroscience, person-memory integration, social schemata, the development of social cognition, and the role of affect in memory and perception. Three broad concerns define the scope of the journal: - The processes underlying the perception, memory, and judgment of social stimuli - The effects of social, cultural, and affective factors on the processing of information The behavioral and interpersonal consequences of cognitive processes.
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