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Beyond self-esteem: Influence of multiple motives on identity construction.

journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-07, 19:01 authored by Vivian VignolesVivian Vignoles, Camillo Regalia, Claudia Manzi, Jen Golledge, Eugenia Scabini
Diverse theories suggest that people are motivated to maintain or enhance feelings of self-esteem, continuity, distinctiveness, belonging, efficacy and meaning in their identities. Four studies tested the influence of these motives on identity construction, using a multilevel regression design. Participants perceived as more central those identity elements which provided a greater sense of self-esteem, continuity, distinctiveness and meaning; this was found for individual, relational and group levels of identity, among various populations, and using a prospective design. Motives for belonging and efficacy influenced identity definition indirectly through their direct influences on identity enactment and through their contributions to self-esteem. Participants were happiest about those identity elements which best satisfied motives for self-esteem and efficacy. These findings point to the need for an integrated theory of identity motivation.

History

Publication status

  • Published

Journal

Journal of Personality and Social Psychology

ISSN

0022-3514

Issue

2

Volume

90

Page range

308-333

Pages

26.0

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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