Approach motivation and the expansion of self in close relationships
January 27, 2011
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 both relationship-specific and global measures of approach motivation, but is unrelated to avoidance motivation, was found. In Study 3, experimental evidence that approach motivation increases sensitivity to self-expansion opportunities, such that individuals high in approach motivation are especially attracted to targets who offer many expansion opportunities and unattracted to targets who offer few expansion opportunities was found. Taken together, these studies provide evidence that self-expansion is rooted in approach motivation.
When individuals meet new potential romantic partners, why do some of these interactions progress and form romantic relationships (or friendships), whereas others fizzle out shortly after the conversation ends? Previous research has identified numerous variables that are important to relationship formation, including (but not limited to) geographic proximity (Festinger, Schachter, & Back, 1950), similarity (Berscheid & Reis, 1998), and physical attractiveness (Walster, Aronson, Abrahams, & Rottman, 1966). In the current research, we use a combination of correlational and experimental methods to test two additional factors that we propose are of central importance: individuals' level of approach motivation and the opportunities for self-expansion that a potential partner provides.
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January 27, 2011
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 both relationship-specific and global measures of approach motivation, but is unrelated to avoidance motivation, was found. In Study 3, experimental evidence that approach motivation increases sensitivity to self-expansion opportunities, such that individuals high in approach motivation are especially attracted to targets who offer many expansion opportunities and unattracted to targets who offer few expansion opportunities was found. Taken together, these studies provide evidence that self-expansion is rooted in approach motivation.
When individuals meet new potential romantic partners, why do some of these interactions progress and form romantic relationships (or friendships), whereas others fizzle out shortly after the conversation ends? Previous research has identified numerous variables that are important to relationship formation, including (but not limited to) geographic proximity (Festinger, Schachter, & Back, 1950), similarity (Berscheid & Reis, 1998), and physical attractiveness (Walster, Aronson, Abrahams, & Rottman, 1966). In the current research, we use a combination of correlational and experimental methods to test two additional factors that we propose are of central importance: individuals' level of approach motivation and the opportunities for self-expansion that a potential partner provides.
Full Text
