Brent A Mattingly
Biographic Data
| ID | 3784200 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Brent A Mattingly |
| GIVEN NAMES | Brent A |
| FAMILY NAME | Mattingly |
| SIGNATURE | MATTINGLY B A |
| AFFILIATIONS | Ursinus College |
| ORCID | 0009-0003-9401-8200 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 16 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 64 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 16 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2010 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2026 |
| H-INDEX | 5 |
Changing Me by Sacrificing for Thee: Motivated Sacrifice and Relationship-Induced Self-Concept Change
People in romantic relationships sacrifice when they forego their own goals and needs in order to prioritize those of their partner. In doing so, individuals may engage in approach-motivated sacrifices in which they sacrifice to pursue desirable relational end states, or they may engage in avoidance-motivated sacrifices in which they sacrifice to avoid negative outcomes. In this research, we sought to test the notion that motivated sacrifices hav…
Attachment theory and the relational self
Relationship-induced self-concept change and the malleability of attachment security
Romantic relationships have the potential to shape individuals' self-concepts for better or worse. Because these changes to the self have the potential to modify working models of self and other, they may also be associated with individuals' levels of attachment security. The current research sought to examine whether relationship-induced self-concept improvement and degradation is associated with attachment security. Across three correlational s…
I need to belong”: Examining a negative halo effect for expressions of the need to belong
We examine a problem faced by individuals with a high need to belong; expressing a desire for social relationships may make it more difficult to form them. In particular, we suggest expressions of heightened belongingness needs create a negative halo effect whereby people expressing those needs appear to be less attractive and more desperate to potential relationship partners. In two experiments, participants viewed hypothetical targets who endor…
Self-expansion within sexual minority relationships
According to the self-expansion model, people increase their positive self-concept content when they form and maintain romantic relationships, and self-expansion is an important predictor of relationship outcomes. Although thought to be universal, no prior research has examined self-expansion among sexual minority individuals. In the current study, sexual minority (N = 226) and heterosexual (N = 104) participants completed measures of self-expans…
Ready for the next step: Novel commitment amplification in romantic relationships
Ample research examines the importance of one's commitment level to their romantic relationship; however, individuals' desire for progressive levels of commitment has received less attention in the literature. In the current studies, we introduce the novel concept of commitment amplification (i.e., the desire to become more committed in one's romantic relationship) by developing and validating a new scale (the Commitment Amplification Scale). Add…
Romantic Relationships and Mental Health: Investigating the Role of Self-Expansion on Depression Symptoms
Close relationships have the potential to fundamentally alter relationship partners' self-concepts and, consequently, can impact individuals' mental health. One type of relationship-induced self-concept change is self-expansion, which describes the cognitive reorganization of the self that can occur when individuals include aspects of their partner into the self, or when they share novel and challenging activities together. In the current researc…
Putting me back together by getting back together: Post-dissolution self-concept confusion predicts rekindling desire among anxiously attached individuals
Previous research suggests that romantic relationship dissolution diminishes self-concept clarity, leading to emotional distress. Over time, people overcome breakup. But little is known about how people respond to the reduced self-concept clarity that results from this process. The current research examined predictors and mediators of relationship rekindling (desiring to reestablish a relationship with an ex-partner) as a method of navigating sel…
Implications of relationship-induced self-concept change across partners: An Actor-Partner Interdependence Model approach
Investigations of relationship-induced self-concept change and relationship quality have generally been limited to intraindividual effects (i.e., actor effects). In the current study, we examined whether self-changes influence romantic partners' perceptions of relationship satisfaction and commitment (i.e., partner effects). Using the actor-partner interdependence model, we tested how four self-concept change processes-self-expansion, self-prunin…
Implicit theories of relationships and self-expansion: Implications for relationship functioning
Individuals hold implicit beliefs about the nature of romantic relationships. Growth beliefs are characterized by thoughts that romantic relationships can be cultivated over time, whereas destiny beliefs are characterized by thoughts that relationships are either meant to be or not. In the current research, we propose that individuals who hold strong growth beliefs (but not destiny beliefs) should be more likely to experience self-expansion, as t…
When "we" changes "me: The two-dimensional model of relational self-change and relationship outcomes
Individuals in close relationships may perceive changes to their self-concepts as a result of being with their partners. According to the two-dimensional model of relational self-change, these changes occur across two dimensions, namely direction, which reflects whether the self-concept has gained or lost content, and valence, which reflects whether the self-concept content is positive or negative. These two dimensions combine to create four dist…
Expanding the Self Brick by Brick: Nonrelational Self-Expansion and Self-Concept Size
We conducted three studies to examine whether novel and interesting experiences can expand individuals’ self-concepts. In Studies 1 and 2, participants completed measures of experienced self-expansion and self-concept size. Results indicated that participants who had more novel and interesting experiences tended to have larger self-concepts. In Study 3, we employed an embodied cognition manipulation of self-expansion and again measured self-conce…
“You make me a better/worse person”: A two‐dimensional model of relationship self‐change
For better or worse, relationships have the potential to affect individuals' self‐concepts; however, currently no integrative model exists to explain the variety of these self‐concept changes. We propose that self‐concept changes occur along two independent dimensions: direction (increase vs. decrease in content) and valence (positivity vs. negativity of content). These two dimensions combine to create four processes of relationship‐induced self‐…
Approach motivation and the expansion of self in close relationships
The self‐expansion model posits that individuals are fundamentally motivated to expand their sense of self. It is proposed that approach—but not avoidance—motivation underlies self‐expansion and that approach‐motivated individuals should be especially interested in self‐expanding with a person who provides many novel resources, identities, and perspectives. In Studies 1, 2a, and 2b, correlational evidence that self‐expansion is associated with bo…
An Expanded Self is a More Capable Self: The Association between Self-concept Size and Self-efficacy
The self-expansion model states that an expanded self-concept is associated with an increased sense of self-efficacy. We conducted four studies (three correlational, one experimental) to test this central tenet of the self-expansion model in a non-relational context. Results indicate that self-concept size (Studies 1 and 2) and subjective sense of self-concept (Study 3) were positively associated with greater self-efficacy. In Study 4, individual…
Foggy Faithfulness: Relationship Quality, Religiosity, and the Perceptions of Dating Infidelity Scale in an Adult Sample
The goals of the current study were to (a) replicate the factor structure of the Perceptions of Dating Infidelity Scale (PDIS) with a sample of older adults, (b) examine whether religiosity and relational variables (e.g., satisfaction, commitment) were correlates of perceptions of infidelity, and (c) examine unique predictors of ratings of infidelity. As expected, three factors emerged from the PDIS: Ambiguous, Deceptive, and Explicit Behaviors. …
When "we" changes "me: The two-dimensional model of relational self-change and relationship outcomes
Individuals in close relationships may perceive changes to their self-concepts as a result of being with their partners. According to the two-dimensional model of relational self-change, these changes occur across two dimensions, namely direction, which reflects whether the self-concept has gained or lost content, and valence, which reflects whether the self-concept content is positive or negative. These two dimensions combine to create four dist…
Implicit theories of relationships and self-expansion: Implications for relationship functioning
Individuals hold implicit beliefs about the nature of romantic relationships. Growth beliefs are characterized by thoughts that romantic relationships can be cultivated over time, whereas destiny beliefs are characterized by thoughts that relationships are either meant to be or not. In the current research, we propose that individuals who hold strong growth beliefs (but not destiny beliefs) should be more likely to experience self-expansion, as t…
Romantic Relationships and Mental Health: Investigating the Role of Self-Expansion on Depression Symptoms
Close relationships have the potential to fundamentally alter relationship partners' self-concepts and, consequently, can impact individuals' mental health. One type of relationship-induced self-concept change is self-expansion, which describes the cognitive reorganization of the self that can occur when individuals include aspects of their partner into the self, or when they share novel and challenging activities together. In the current researc…
Implications of relationship-induced self-concept change across partners: An Actor-Partner Interdependence Model approach
Investigations of relationship-induced self-concept change and relationship quality have generally been limited to intraindividual effects (i.e., actor effects). In the current study, we examined whether self-changes influence romantic partners' perceptions of relationship satisfaction and commitment (i.e., partner effects). Using the actor-partner interdependence model, we tested how four self-concept change processes-self-expansion, self-prunin…
Putting me back together by getting back together: Post-dissolution self-concept confusion predicts rekindling desire among anxiously attached individuals
Previous research suggests that romantic relationship dissolution diminishes self-concept clarity, leading to emotional distress. Over time, people overcome breakup. But little is known about how people respond to the reduced self-concept clarity that results from this process. The current research examined predictors and mediators of relationship rekindling (desiring to reestablish a relationship with an ex-partner) as a method of navigating sel…
Foggy Faithfulness: Relationship Quality, Religiosity, and the Perceptions of Dating Infidelity Scale in an Adult Sample
The goals of the current study were to (a) replicate the factor structure of the Perceptions of Dating Infidelity Scale (PDIS) with a sample of older adults, (b) examine whether religiosity and relational variables (e.g., satisfaction, commitment) were correlates of perceptions of infidelity, and (c) examine unique predictors of ratings of infidelity. As expected, three factors emerged from the PDIS: Ambiguous, Deceptive, and Explicit Behaviors. …
Ready for the next step: Novel commitment amplification in romantic relationships
Ample research examines the importance of one's commitment level to their romantic relationship; however, individuals' desire for progressive levels of commitment has received less attention in the literature. In the current studies, we introduce the novel concept of commitment amplification (i.e., the desire to become more committed in one's romantic relationship) by developing and validating a new scale (the Commitment Amplification Scale). Add…
Relationship-induced self-concept change and the malleability of attachment security
Romantic relationships have the potential to shape individuals' self-concepts for better or worse. Because these changes to the self have the potential to modify working models of self and other, they may also be associated with individuals' levels of attachment security. The current research sought to examine whether relationship-induced self-concept improvement and degradation is associated with attachment security. Across three correlational s…
Self-expansion within sexual minority relationships
According to the self-expansion model, people increase their positive self-concept content when they form and maintain romantic relationships, and self-expansion is an important predictor of relationship outcomes. Although thought to be universal, no prior research has examined self-expansion among sexual minority individuals. In the current study, sexual minority (N = 226) and heterosexual (N = 104) participants completed measures of self-expans…
Foggy Faithfulness: Relationship Quality, Religiosity, and the Perceptions of Dating Infidelity Scale in an Adult Sample
The goals of the current study were to (a) replicate the factor structure of the Perceptions of Dating Infidelity Scale (PDIS) with a sample of older adults, (b) examine whether religiosity and relational variables (e.g., satisfaction, commitment) were correlates of perceptions of infidelity, and (c) examine unique predictors of ratings of infidelity. As expected, three factors emerged from the PDIS: Ambiguous, Deceptive, and Explicit Behaviors. …
Approach motivation and the expansion of self in close relationships
The self‐expansion model posits that individuals are fundamentally motivated to expand their sense of self. It is proposed that approach—but not avoidance—motivation underlies self‐expansion and that approach‐motivated individuals should be especially interested in self‐expanding with a person who provides many novel resources, identities, and perspectives. In Studies 1, 2a, and 2b, correlational evidence that self‐expansion is associated with bo…
An Expanded Self is a More Capable Self: The Association between Self-concept Size and Self-efficacy
The self-expansion model states that an expanded self-concept is associated with an increased sense of self-efficacy. We conducted four studies (three correlational, one experimental) to test this central tenet of the self-expansion model in a non-relational context. Results indicate that self-concept size (Studies 1 and 2) and subjective sense of self-concept (Study 3) were positively associated with greater self-efficacy. In Study 4, individual…
Expanding the Self Brick by Brick: Nonrelational Self-Expansion and Self-Concept Size
We conducted three studies to examine whether novel and interesting experiences can expand individuals’ self-concepts. In Studies 1 and 2, participants completed measures of experienced self-expansion and self-concept size. Results indicated that participants who had more novel and interesting experiences tended to have larger self-concepts. In Study 3, we employed an embodied cognition manipulation of self-expansion and again measured self-conce…
“You make me a better/worse person”: A two‐dimensional model of relationship self‐change
For better or worse, relationships have the potential to affect individuals' self‐concepts; however, currently no integrative model exists to explain the variety of these self‐concept changes. We propose that self‐concept changes occur along two independent dimensions: direction (increase vs. decrease in content) and valence (positivity vs. negativity of content). These two dimensions combine to create four processes of relationship‐induced self‐…
When "we" changes "me: The two-dimensional model of relational self-change and relationship outcomes
Individuals in close relationships may perceive changes to their self-concepts as a result of being with their partners. According to the two-dimensional model of relational self-change, these changes occur across two dimensions, namely direction, which reflects whether the self-concept has gained or lost content, and valence, which reflects whether the self-concept content is positive or negative. These two dimensions combine to create four dist…
Implicit theories of relationships and self-expansion: Implications for relationship functioning
Individuals hold implicit beliefs about the nature of romantic relationships. Growth beliefs are characterized by thoughts that romantic relationships can be cultivated over time, whereas destiny beliefs are characterized by thoughts that relationships are either meant to be or not. In the current research, we propose that individuals who hold strong growth beliefs (but not destiny beliefs) should be more likely to experience self-expansion, as t…
Implications of relationship-induced self-concept change across partners: An Actor-Partner Interdependence Model approach
Investigations of relationship-induced self-concept change and relationship quality have generally been limited to intraindividual effects (i.e., actor effects). In the current study, we examined whether self-changes influence romantic partners' perceptions of relationship satisfaction and commitment (i.e., partner effects). Using the actor-partner interdependence model, we tested how four self-concept change processes-self-expansion, self-prunin…
Putting me back together by getting back together: Post-dissolution self-concept confusion predicts rekindling desire among anxiously attached individuals
Previous research suggests that romantic relationship dissolution diminishes self-concept clarity, leading to emotional distress. Over time, people overcome breakup. But little is known about how people respond to the reduced self-concept clarity that results from this process. The current research examined predictors and mediators of relationship rekindling (desiring to reestablish a relationship with an ex-partner) as a method of navigating sel…
Romantic Relationships and Mental Health: Investigating the Role of Self-Expansion on Depression Symptoms
Close relationships have the potential to fundamentally alter relationship partners' self-concepts and, consequently, can impact individuals' mental health. One type of relationship-induced self-concept change is self-expansion, which describes the cognitive reorganization of the self that can occur when individuals include aspects of their partner into the self, or when they share novel and challenging activities together. In the current researc…
I need to belong”: Examining a negative halo effect for expressions of the need to belong
We examine a problem faced by individuals with a high need to belong; expressing a desire for social relationships may make it more difficult to form them. In particular, we suggest expressions of heightened belongingness needs create a negative halo effect whereby people expressing those needs appear to be less attractive and more desperate to potential relationship partners. In two experiments, participants viewed hypothetical targets who endor…
Self-expansion within sexual minority relationships
According to the self-expansion model, people increase their positive self-concept content when they form and maintain romantic relationships, and self-expansion is an important predictor of relationship outcomes. Although thought to be universal, no prior research has examined self-expansion among sexual minority individuals. In the current study, sexual minority (N = 226) and heterosexual (N = 104) participants completed measures of self-expans…
Ready for the next step: Novel commitment amplification in romantic relationships
Ample research examines the importance of one's commitment level to their romantic relationship; however, individuals' desire for progressive levels of commitment has received less attention in the literature. In the current studies, we introduce the novel concept of commitment amplification (i.e., the desire to become more committed in one's romantic relationship) by developing and validating a new scale (the Commitment Amplification Scale). Add…
Attachment theory and the relational self
Relationship-induced self-concept change and the malleability of attachment security
Romantic relationships have the potential to shape individuals' self-concepts for better or worse. Because these changes to the self have the potential to modify working models of self and other, they may also be associated with individuals' levels of attachment security. The current research sought to examine whether relationship-induced self-concept improvement and degradation is associated with attachment security. Across three correlational s…
Changing Me by Sacrificing for Thee: Motivated Sacrifice and Relationship-Induced Self-Concept Change
People in romantic relationships sacrifice when they forego their own goals and needs in order to prioritize those of their partner. In doing so, individuals may engage in approach-motivated sacrifices in which they sacrifice to pursue desirable relational end states, or they may engage in avoidance-motivated sacrifices in which they sacrifice to avoid negative outcomes. In this research, we sought to test the notion that motivated sacrifices hav…
Psychology (14 works) · Attachment and Relationship Dynamics (13 works) · Social Psychology (13 works) · Developmental psychology (9 works) · Social Psychology (9 works) · Behavioral Health and Interventions (6 works) · Association (psychology (5 works) · Evolutionary Psychology and Human Behavior (5 works) · Psychotherapist (5 works) · Romance (5 works)