A new look at motivated inference
Are self-serving theories of success a product of motivational forces
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 6202372 |
|---|---|
| Authors | David Dunning (0000-0002-4565-1208, Cornell University), Ann Leuenberger (Cornell University), David A Sherman (0000-0002-3027-9124, Cornell University) |
| Year | 1995 |
| Volume | 69 |
| Issue | 1 |
| Pages | 58-68 |
| Publication date | 1995-07-01 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | No |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Journal of Personality and Social Psychology (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0022-3514 • E-ISSN: 1939-1315 |
| Publisher | American Psychological Association (APA) (PUBLISHER) |
| DOI | 10.1037//0022-3514.69.1.58 |
| OpenAlex | W4230656295 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 68 |
| References cited | 36 |
People construct idiosyncratic, self-serving models of excellence or success in social domains, in part, to bolster self-esteem. In 3 studies, participants tended to articulate self-serving theories of success under experimental conditions in which pressures to maintain self-esteem were present, but not under conditions in which such pressures were absent. Participants assigned to role-play being a therapist were more self-serving in their assessments of the characteristics needed to be a successful therapist than were participants assigned to observe the role play (Study 1). Participants failing at an intellectual task articulated self-serving theories about the attributes crucial to success in marriage (Study 2) and evaluated targets similar to themselves more favorably than they did dissimilar targets (Study 3),tendencies not observed for participants succeeding at the task. Discussion centers on issues for future research suggested by these findings
Cognitive psychology · Epistemology · Inference · Product (mathematics · Self-determination theory · Self-fulfilling prophecy · Behavioral Health and Interventions · Cultural Differences and Values · Motivation and Self-Concept in Sports · Psychology · Social and Intergroup Psychology · Social Psychology
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| Unique citing works | 64 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 2,27 |
| Citation span | 1996 - 2025 (30) |
| Citation velocity | recent |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 65 |