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Identity motives underlying desired and feared possible future selves

journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-07, 18:17 authored by Vivian VignolesVivian Vignoles, Claudia Manzi, Camillo Regalia, Simone Jemmolo, Eugenia Scabini
Desired and feared possible future selves are important motivators of behavior and provide a temporal context for self-evaluation. Yet little research has examined why people desire some possible selves and fear others. In two studies, we tested the reflection of identity motives for self-esteem, efficacy, meaning, continuity, belonging, and distinctiveness in people's desired and feared possible future selves and in their possible future identity structures. As predicted, participants desired especially those possible futures in which motives for self-esteem, efficacy, meaning, and continuity would be satisfied, and they feared especially those in which the same four motives and, marginally, the motive for distinctiveness would be frustrated. Analyses supported an indirect path from belonging via self-esteem to desire and fear. Desired and feared possible future selves reflect potential satisfaction and frustration of these identity motives.

History

Publication status

  • Published

Journal

Journal of Personality

ISSN

0022-3514

Issue

5

Volume

76

Page range

1165-1200

Pages

36.0

Department affiliated with

  • Psychology Publications

Full text available

  • No

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2012-02-06

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    University of Sussex (Publications)

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