Symbolic Self-Completion, Attempted Influence, and Self-Deprecation

Datos Bibliográficos

ID23366015
AutoresRobert A Wicklund (The University of Texas at Austin), Peter M Gollwitzer (0000-0003-4872-2929, The University of Texas at Austin)
Año1981
Volumen2
Número2
Páginas89-114
Fecha de publicación1981-06-01
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessNo
TipoARTICLE
RevistaBasic and Applied Social Psychology (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 0197-3533 • E-ISSN: 1532-4834
EditorialInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1207/s15324834basp0202_2
OpenAlexW2053168606
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas78
Referencias citadas29

A concept of symbolic self-completion states that people define themselves as musicians, athletes, etc. by use of indicators of attainment in those activity realms, such as possessing a prestige job, having extensive education, or whatever is recognized by others as indicating progress toward completing the self-definition. The self-completion idea postulates that when important symbols—indicators of self-definition—are lacking, the person will strive after further, alternative symbols of the self-definition. In the present research two modes of symbolizing completeness were studied: (1) attempting to influence others directly within the self-definitional area; or (2) simple self-descriptions of one's own performance, such that others would be exposed to those self-descriptions. Two correlational studies showed that the less education (Study 1) or on-the-job experience (Study 2) subjects had, the more they desired to influence others. Experimental subjects (Study 3) who were interrupted while writing a positive, self-descriptive statement manifested stronger influence attempts than did subjects who were allowed to finish. Finally, Study 4 examined self-descriptions as a self-symbolizing effort. Incompleteness was varied by means of a salience-of-past-teacher manipulation. When pressure was placed on subjects to characterize themselves negatively within their respective areas, those for whom a positive teacher was salient were the most willing to be negative. The interpretation of these findings assumes that influencing others, as well as positive self-descriptions, can further the individual's sense of having a complete self-definition.

Cognitive psychology · Salience (neuroscience) · Self · Self-concept · Academic and Historical Perspectives in Psychology · Consumer Behavior in Brand Consumption and Identification · Cultural Differences and Values · Psychology · Social Psychology