How goal instrumentality shapes relationship evaluations.
Journal Article (Journal Article)
Findings from 6 experiments support the hypothesis that relationship evaluations and behavioral tendencies are goal dependent, reflecting the instrumentality of significant others for the self's progress toward currently active goals. Experiments 1 and 3 found that active goals can automatically bring to mind significant others who are instrumental for the activated goal, heightening their accessibility relative to noninstrumental others. Experiments 2-5 found that active goals cause individuals to evaluate instrumental others more positively, draw closer to them, and approach them more readily, compared with noninstrumental others. Experiment 6 found that people who engage in goal-dependent interpersonal evaluations are more successful, receiving higher grades. Implications for understanding the social nature of self-regulation and the impact of personal goals on interpersonal relationships are discussed.
Full Text
Duke Authors
Cited Authors
- Fitzsimons, GM; Shah, JY
Published Date
- August 2008
Published In
Volume / Issue
- 95 / 2
Start / End Page
- 319 - 337
PubMed ID
- 18665705
Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)
- 1939-1315
International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)
- 0022-3514
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
- 10.1037/0022-3514.95.2.319
Language
- eng