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A three-tier hierarchy of self-potency: individual self, relational self, collective self

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posted on 2023-06-08, 14:58 authored by Constantine Sedikides, Lowell Gaertner, Michelle LukeMichelle Luke, Erin M O'Mara, Jochen E Gebauer
The self-system consists of three fundamental components: the individual self, the relational self, and the collective self. All selves are important and meaningful and all are associated with psychological and physical health benefits. However, the selves are not equally important and meaningful. We propose a three-tier hierarchy of the motivational potency of the self-system, with the individual self on top, followed somewhat closely by the relational self, and followed distantly by the collective self. Engaging in competitive testing, we conducted a variety of experiments in which we implemented diverse methods for controlling the accessibility of the selves, introduced different forms of threat or enhancement, sampled several relational and collective selves, measured the independent reaction of each self, and assessed an array of responses to threat or enhancement (e.g., mood, anger, distancing, impact of feedback, derogation of feedback, impact on life, sentiments of “real you,” goals, monetary allocations). The findings were consistent with the three-tier hierarchy of motivational self-potency.

History

Publication status

  • Published

Publisher

Academic Press

Volume

48

Page range

235-295

Book title

Advances in Experimental Social Psychology

Place of publication

London

ISBN

9780124071889

Department affiliated with

  • Business and Management Publications

Full text available

  • No

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Editors

James M Olson, Mark P Zanna

Legacy Posted Date

2013-05-20

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