TY - JOUR
T1 - Being Much Better and No Worse than Others
T2 - Deviance Regulation, Self-Guides, and the Motive to be Distinct
AU - Hall, Deborah L.
AU - Blanton, Hart
AU - Prentice, Deborah A.
N1 - Funding Information:
This analysis suggests that the activation of ideal versus ought self-guides should activate corresponding desires to approach versus avoid self-other distinctions. No research to date has investigated this logic by testing the deviance regulation theory prediction that self-guides channel distinctiveness and similarity striving. However, this prediction is supported by research linking independent and interdependent self-construals to differences in regulatory focus (Lee, Aaker, & Gardner, 2000; see also Blanton & Christie, 2003). Lee and colleagues found that participants with an independent self-construal were more sensitive to incentives framed around potential gains (consistent with a promotion focus), whereas those with an interdependent self-construal were more sensitive to potential losses (consistent with a prevention focus). Their work demonstrated that a personality variable of relevance to distinctiveness striving, independent versus interdependent self-construal, is linked with a key aspect of regulatory striving.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2014, © 2014 Taylor & Francis.
PY - 2015/3/4
Y1 - 2015/3/4
N2 - Five studies examined whether the concern for self-other distinction is moderated by self-guide activation, with the predictions based on deviance regulation theory that distinctiveness striving is amplified by activation of ideal self-guides and diminished by activation of ought self-guides. In Study 1, trait differences in self-guides predicted trait differences in self-reported distinctiveness motives. In Studies 2–5, state activation of ought versus ideal self-guides led to shifts in participants' self-reported interest in distinctiveness (Study 2), identification with common versus uncommon social groups (Study 3), preferences for common versus rare consumer products (Study 4), and emotional reactions to distinctiveness versus similarity feedback (Study 5). These findings suggest that self-guide activation can complement known cultural, dispositional, and contextual influences on distinctiveness striving.
AB - Five studies examined whether the concern for self-other distinction is moderated by self-guide activation, with the predictions based on deviance regulation theory that distinctiveness striving is amplified by activation of ideal self-guides and diminished by activation of ought self-guides. In Study 1, trait differences in self-guides predicted trait differences in self-reported distinctiveness motives. In Studies 2–5, state activation of ought versus ideal self-guides led to shifts in participants' self-reported interest in distinctiveness (Study 2), identification with common versus uncommon social groups (Study 3), preferences for common versus rare consumer products (Study 4), and emotional reactions to distinctiveness versus similarity feedback (Study 5). These findings suggest that self-guide activation can complement known cultural, dispositional, and contextual influences on distinctiveness striving.
KW - Deviance regulation theory
KW - Distinctiveness striving
KW - Regulatory focus theory
KW - Self-discrepancy theory
KW - Self-guides
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U2 - 10.1080/15298868.2014.969302
DO - 10.1080/15298868.2014.969302
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:84920657269
SN - 1529-8868
VL - 14
SP - 214
EP - 232
JO - Self and Identity
JF - Self and Identity
IS - 2
ER -