Edward Orehek | University of Pittsburgh (original) (raw)

Papers by Edward Orehek

Cigarette taxation is an economics-based policy associated with increased population-level quit r... more Cigarette taxation is an economics-based policy associated with increased population-level quit ratios. However, the estimated effects of tax increase on smoking behavior vary substantially, underscoring the need to identify moderating variables. We examined whether behavioral disengagement – the tendency to abandon goals when experiencing stress – modified the association between cigarette taxes and daily smoking behavior. We connected state-level cigarette tax rate data with individual-level behavioral data, including a national sample of 725 US adults who smoked daily at baseline and reported follow-up data approximately 10 years later, and 376 who were resampled a third time after another 10 years. Analyses involved multilevel logistic regression (with time as a nested variable and anonymized state codes as a grouping variable), where current smoking status (dichotomous) was regressed on behavioral disengagement, state-level cigarette tax at baseline and current time, and the interaction between disengagement and current tax. Consistent with hypotheses, tax rate interacted with disengagement (OR = 0.95, 95% CI = 0.90, 0.99, p = .0255): Among those one SD above the mean for disengagement, tax rate was unassociated with quit ratio (OR = 0.99, 95% CI = 0.85, 1.16, p = .6975). However, among those one SD below the mean, tax rate was significantly associated with higher quit ratio (OR = 1.22, 95% CI = 1.04, 1.43, p = .0163). Our data suggest the possibility that cigarette taxes may be more effective in facilitating cessation among smokers low in behavioral disengagement or when accompanied by interventions that reduce stress or maintain goal pursuit. Identifying psychological moderators of policy effectiveness holds promise for improving policy design and targeting.

People are objectified when they are treated as a means to a goal. The most common example is whe... more People are objectified when they are treated as a means to a goal. The most common example is when women are sexually objectified and reduced to their physical appearance, sexuality, or individual body parts. In such instances, people are used in the same way as objects and are evaluated according to their instrumentality to the others’ goals. The aim of this paper is to gain a better understanding of objectification. We will (a) outline basic principles of means-goal relations during goal pursuit, (b) review research in which people are means to goals, (c) explain
objectification according to a means-goal psychology in which people serve as means to goals, and (d) explain the implications of our account for the consequences of objectification. Specifically, we argue objectification is inevitable and that the consequences of objectification, including its morality, depend on the goal to which a person serves and whether the objectified person wants to serve that goal.

Viewing life as purposeful is a powerful belief: in addition to positively coloring our feelings,... more Viewing life as purposeful is a powerful belief: in addition to positively coloring our feelings, it is associated with decreased risk of falling ill, and, ultimately, dying (Kim et al., 2013). Having valued goals infuses life with purpose (Scheier et al., 2006), suggesting that purpose is closely tied to people's self-regulation. According to Kruglanski et al. (2000), two self-regulatory processes are important: to attain our goals, we must identify what it is that we want to accomplish and how best to pursue it (assessment), and then follow through and actually do it (locomotion). Does purpose, then, emerge from moving toward one's desired outcomes, from carefully identifying and evaluating the best outcomes to pursue, or both? And could purpose be a mechanism linking people's self-regulatory tendencies to their subjective well-being? Three studies (total N = 744) showed that purpose was positively predicted by locomotion, but negatively by assessment; no interaction between locomotion and assessment was found. Moreover, purpose mediated the link between self-regulation and people's satisfaction with life. Our results imply that purpose is derived from movement and that action carries meaning.

People who are socially integrated and have strong social ties live happier, longer lives. The li... more People who are socially integrated and have strong social ties live happier, longer lives. The link between social connection and well-being is commonly explained in terms of the benefits of receiving care and support from others. However, the benefits of giving care and support to others for the support provider are often overlooked. We review emerging findings that suggest when, why, and how giving support to others provides benefits to the self. We identify possible mechanisms by which these benefits arise and outline boundary conditions that influence such benefits. To gain a richer understanding of the association between social ties and well-being, an important future research direction is to not only consider the support receiver but also emphasize the support provider.

Self-expression values are at an all-time high, and people are increasingly relying upon social m... more Self-expression values are at an all-time high, and people are increasingly relying upon social media platforms to express themselves positively and accurately. We examined whether self-expression on the social media platform Twitter elicits positive and accurate social perceptions. Eleven perceivers rated 128 individuals (targets; total dyadic impressions = 1,408) on their impulsivity, self-esteem, and attachment style, based solely on the information provided in targets’ 10 most recent tweets. Targets were on average perceived normatively and with distinctive self-other agreement, indicating both positive and accurate social perceptions. There were also individual differences in how positively and accurately targets were perceived, which exploratory analyses indicated may be partially driven by differential word usage, such as the use of positive emotion words and self- versus other-focus. This study demonstrates that self-expression on social media can elicit both positive and accurate perceptions and begins to shed light on how to curate such perceptions.

The Handbook of Intergroup Communication, 2011

Handbook of Personality and Self-Regulation, 2010

Goal pursuit is almost always conducted in concert with helpful others. People serve as instrumen... more Goal pursuit is almost always conducted in concert with helpful others. People serve as instrumental means to goals, and evaluations of people are shaped by their perceived instrumentality. Assistance from another person may elicit feelings of relationship satisfaction and commitment. Assisting others in their goal pursuit is also gratifying. We present a novel goal-systemic perspective on close relationships. Our analysis suggests that satisfying relationships are achieved when partners experience mutual perceived instrumentality—when each partner feels instrumental to his or her partner’s important goals and perceives the partner as instrumental to his or her important goals. Considering relationship partners as means to goals has important implications for relationship processes including attraction, relationship maintenance, and relationship dissolution.

Obesity represents a serious public health issue. One major contributor to obesity is the quality... more Obesity represents a serious public health issue. One major contributor to obesity is the quality and quantity of foods one consumes. Psychological research trying to understand overeating and unhealthy eating behavior has often attributed it to homeostatic malfunction and/or lack of self-regulatory ability. We propose a different approach here, suggesting that eating behavior represents goal pursuit and that obesity is the result of reliance on foods that fulfill convenience goals and price goals at the expense of health goals. We propose and present empirical evidence suggesting that people are capable of making healthier choices when health (rather than convenience and price) concerns predominate and healthy options are available. Based on this existing evidence we suggest that (1) future research should further explore individuals' food choice as a function of the multiple goals they attempt to achieve rather than as a lack of willpower, and (2) policy may contribute to healthy eating by reprioritizing these goals and emphasizing health while increasing the availability and affordability of healthy foods.

We explore the possibility that self-defeating behaviors represent self-regulatory success rather... more We explore the possibility that self-defeating behaviors represent self-regulatory success rather than failure. Specifically, we suggest that drug use, overeating, risky sexual behavior, self-harm, and martyrdom represent means toward individuals’ goals. In this capacity, they may be initiated and pursued upon goal activation despite potentially negative consequences, and thus exemplify the long-held notion that the end justifies the means. We propose a means-end analysis, present evidence that these activities demonstrate the hallmarks of goal pursuit, and discuss novel implications for understanding these behaviors.

We describe two experiments on the determinants of motivated judgments. They explored the conjoin... more We describe two experiments on the determinants of motivated judgments. They explored the conjoint effects of three factors: (1) dominant judgmental motivation (geared toward accuracy or directional bias), (2) task demands, and (3) the availability of cognitive resources. We find that where a directional motivation is dominant and task demands are high (making biasing difficult), the presence (vs. absence) of resources promotes wish- ful judgments. Conversely, where accuracy motivation is dominant and wishful judgments are the default, resources reduce the likelihood of their occurrence. Finally, where a directional motivation is dominant and task demands are low (making biasing easy), or where the accuracy motivation is dominant and task demands are high, resources have relatively minor effects on bias.

A three-phase longitudinal study (spread over a month’s time) was carried out to investigate atti... more A three-phase longitudinal study (spread over a month’s time) was carried out to investigate attitude’s persistence and linkage to behavior as it may be affected by the processing of information about the communication source. The following three indepen- dent variables were manipulated: (i) contents of the source of information (implying the communicator to be expert or inexpert on the topic of the communication); (ii) length of the source information (brief versus lengthy); and (iii) message recipients’ in- volvement in the issue at hand (high versus low). Replicating prior research when the source information was brief, it exerted greater persuasive impact under low versus high involvement, and when it was lengthy, it exerted greater persuasive impact un- der high versus low involvement. Of greater importance, the newly acquired attitudes were more persistent and were linked more strongly to actual behavior when the source information was lengthy (versus brief) provided the recipients had high (versus low) involvement in the issue. These findings were interpreted to mean that just like with the message/issue information in prior re- search, when processed extensively, source information, too, may contribute to the formation of persistent and behavior-driving attitudes. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The present paper features a novel approach to motivation and self-regulation couched in conceptu... more The present paper features a novel approach to motivation and self-regulation couched in conceptual terms of goal systems theory (Kruglanski et al., 2002). Goal systems theory adopts a cognitive view of motivation and highlights the interrelations of goals and means. The cognitive aspects of the theory have to do with the architec- ture of cognitions, and the finality of cognitive resources. The motivational aspects of the theory relate to the relation of the goal/means constructs to the dynamics of action and the affective phenomena that accompany goal pursuit. A goal systemic analysis not only affords a better understanding of classic self-regulatory phenomena, but also offers new insights into various psychological problems such as choice and judgment.

Determinants of motivated judgments were examined in this research. Three experiments investigate... more Determinants of motivated judgments were examined in this research. Three experiments investigated how dominant motivation, biasing difficulty and mental resources combine to produce motivationally congruent judgments. Studies 1 and 2 showed that where a biasing motivation is dominant the presence of resources can aug- ment a motivational bias in judgment. Study 3 replicated that result and showed that resources contribute to the for- mation of biased judgments only where biasing is difficult to accomplish, but not where it is relatively easy to accomplish. In addition, Study 3 showed that where the accuracy moti- vation is dominant and biasing is the easy default, unbiased judgments will occur only in the presence (vs. absence) of resources. In contrast, where unbiased judgments are easy to come by, such judgments occur irrespective of resources.

Terrorism is a tool designed to reach political objectives. Terrorism emerges in a social and pol... more Terrorism is a tool designed to reach political objectives. Terrorism emerges in a social and political context, representing
a form of psychological warfare aimed at achieving political goals by eliciting an emotional response in the populace of a
perceived adversary. As such, terrorism requires both the ability to penetrate the enemy’s defenses and the motivation to
justify violence. This article presents a means-end motivational account of terrorism, reviewing (a) the scope of the terrorist
threat, (b) what drives perceiving terrorism as an instrumental means of reaching political goals, (c) how the quest for
personal significance motivates adopting terrorism-justifying ideologies, and (d) how this understanding of terrorism may
inform counter-terrorism policy considerations.

Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 2014

Humans are motivated by a quest for significance that is threatened by the inevitability of death... more Humans are motivated by a quest for significance that is threatened by the inevitability of death. However, individuals with interdependent self-construals, self-representations that reflect embeddedness with and connection to others, are able to extend themselves through time and space through their linkage to a larger social group. The present set of 5 experiments tested the hypotheses that individuals primed with an interdependent self-construal would fear death less and would be more willing to face harm for the sake of the group than individuals with an independent self-construal, that is, self-representations that reflect autonomy and independence from others (“I have self-control”). The results show that interdependent self-construals, compared to independent self-construals, attenuate death anxiety, reduce the avoidance of death, increase the approach to death-related stimuli, induce a greater willingness to become a martyr, and induce a greater willingness to sacrifice the self for other members of important groups.

Review of General Psychology, 2013

People have many goals, presenting them with a challenge regarding how to navigate their multiple... more People have many goals, presenting them with a challenge regarding how to navigate their multiple pursuits in each instant. Two such strategies exist, referred to here as sequential and concurrent goal pursuit. The present perspective on multiple goal pursuit is presented through which we can better understand (a) the resource demands that necessitate strategies of multiple goal pursuit, (b) the differences between sequential and concurrent goal pursuit, and (c) when each of these strategies is likely to be adopted. The explanatory power of the current framework for diverse behavioral domains, including diet, exercise, addiction, and moral behavior is discussed, as are the implications for acting on one’s goals and the impact of success versus failure when pursuing each strategy.

This research examines the implications of locomotion regulatory mode (orientation toward making ... more This research examines the implications of locomotion regulatory mode (orientation toward making progress on goals) and assessment regulatory mode (orientation toward critically evaluating alternatives) for employees' performance. Regulatory mode theory suggests that, although these are both integral to self-regulation, they may also function independently of one another and affect distinct, but equally important, performance aspects. We propose and find that performance of locomotion-oriented employees is complemented by their leader's expert power (ability to provide superior knowledge and information), whereas performance of assessment-oriented employees is complemented by their leader's coercive power (ability to administer negative consequences). These findings support the regulatory mode interpersonal complementarity hypothesis and show that complementarity plays a role in self-regulation of objective performance.

American Psychologist, 2013

Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s concepts of self-love (amour propre) and love of self (amour de soi même)... more Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s concepts of self-love (amour propre) and love of self (amour de soi même) are applied to the psychology of terrorism. Self-love is concern with one’s image in the eyes of respected others, members of one’s group. It denotes one’s feeling of personal significance, the sense that one’s life has meaning in accordance with the values of one’s society. Love of self, in contrast, is individualistic concern with self-preservation, comfort, safety, and the survival of self and loved ones. We suggest that self-love defines a motivational force that when awakened arouses the goal of a significance quest. When a group perceives itself in conflict with dangerous detractors, its ideology may prescribe violence and terrorism against the enemy as a means of significance gain that gratifies self-love concerns. This may involve sacrificing one’s self-preservation goals, encapsulated in Rousseau’s concept of love of self. The foregoing notions afford the integration of diverse quantitative and qualitative findings on individuals’ road to terrorism and back. Understanding the significance quest and the conditions of its constructive fulfillment may be crucial to reversing the current tide of global terrorism.

Cigarette taxation is an economics-based policy associated with increased population-level quit r... more Cigarette taxation is an economics-based policy associated with increased population-level quit ratios. However, the estimated effects of tax increase on smoking behavior vary substantially, underscoring the need to identify moderating variables. We examined whether behavioral disengagement – the tendency to abandon goals when experiencing stress – modified the association between cigarette taxes and daily smoking behavior. We connected state-level cigarette tax rate data with individual-level behavioral data, including a national sample of 725 US adults who smoked daily at baseline and reported follow-up data approximately 10 years later, and 376 who were resampled a third time after another 10 years. Analyses involved multilevel logistic regression (with time as a nested variable and anonymized state codes as a grouping variable), where current smoking status (dichotomous) was regressed on behavioral disengagement, state-level cigarette tax at baseline and current time, and the interaction between disengagement and current tax. Consistent with hypotheses, tax rate interacted with disengagement (OR = 0.95, 95% CI = 0.90, 0.99, p = .0255): Among those one SD above the mean for disengagement, tax rate was unassociated with quit ratio (OR = 0.99, 95% CI = 0.85, 1.16, p = .6975). However, among those one SD below the mean, tax rate was significantly associated with higher quit ratio (OR = 1.22, 95% CI = 1.04, 1.43, p = .0163). Our data suggest the possibility that cigarette taxes may be more effective in facilitating cessation among smokers low in behavioral disengagement or when accompanied by interventions that reduce stress or maintain goal pursuit. Identifying psychological moderators of policy effectiveness holds promise for improving policy design and targeting.

People are objectified when they are treated as a means to a goal. The most common example is whe... more People are objectified when they are treated as a means to a goal. The most common example is when women are sexually objectified and reduced to their physical appearance, sexuality, or individual body parts. In such instances, people are used in the same way as objects and are evaluated according to their instrumentality to the others’ goals. The aim of this paper is to gain a better understanding of objectification. We will (a) outline basic principles of means-goal relations during goal pursuit, (b) review research in which people are means to goals, (c) explain
objectification according to a means-goal psychology in which people serve as means to goals, and (d) explain the implications of our account for the consequences of objectification. Specifically, we argue objectification is inevitable and that the consequences of objectification, including its morality, depend on the goal to which a person serves and whether the objectified person wants to serve that goal.

Viewing life as purposeful is a powerful belief: in addition to positively coloring our feelings,... more Viewing life as purposeful is a powerful belief: in addition to positively coloring our feelings, it is associated with decreased risk of falling ill, and, ultimately, dying (Kim et al., 2013). Having valued goals infuses life with purpose (Scheier et al., 2006), suggesting that purpose is closely tied to people's self-regulation. According to Kruglanski et al. (2000), two self-regulatory processes are important: to attain our goals, we must identify what it is that we want to accomplish and how best to pursue it (assessment), and then follow through and actually do it (locomotion). Does purpose, then, emerge from moving toward one's desired outcomes, from carefully identifying and evaluating the best outcomes to pursue, or both? And could purpose be a mechanism linking people's self-regulatory tendencies to their subjective well-being? Three studies (total N = 744) showed that purpose was positively predicted by locomotion, but negatively by assessment; no interaction between locomotion and assessment was found. Moreover, purpose mediated the link between self-regulation and people's satisfaction with life. Our results imply that purpose is derived from movement and that action carries meaning.

People who are socially integrated and have strong social ties live happier, longer lives. The li... more People who are socially integrated and have strong social ties live happier, longer lives. The link between social connection and well-being is commonly explained in terms of the benefits of receiving care and support from others. However, the benefits of giving care and support to others for the support provider are often overlooked. We review emerging findings that suggest when, why, and how giving support to others provides benefits to the self. We identify possible mechanisms by which these benefits arise and outline boundary conditions that influence such benefits. To gain a richer understanding of the association between social ties and well-being, an important future research direction is to not only consider the support receiver but also emphasize the support provider.

Self-expression values are at an all-time high, and people are increasingly relying upon social m... more Self-expression values are at an all-time high, and people are increasingly relying upon social media platforms to express themselves positively and accurately. We examined whether self-expression on the social media platform Twitter elicits positive and accurate social perceptions. Eleven perceivers rated 128 individuals (targets; total dyadic impressions = 1,408) on their impulsivity, self-esteem, and attachment style, based solely on the information provided in targets’ 10 most recent tweets. Targets were on average perceived normatively and with distinctive self-other agreement, indicating both positive and accurate social perceptions. There were also individual differences in how positively and accurately targets were perceived, which exploratory analyses indicated may be partially driven by differential word usage, such as the use of positive emotion words and self- versus other-focus. This study demonstrates that self-expression on social media can elicit both positive and accurate perceptions and begins to shed light on how to curate such perceptions.

The Handbook of Intergroup Communication, 2011

Handbook of Personality and Self-Regulation, 2010

Goal pursuit is almost always conducted in concert with helpful others. People serve as instrumen... more Goal pursuit is almost always conducted in concert with helpful others. People serve as instrumental means to goals, and evaluations of people are shaped by their perceived instrumentality. Assistance from another person may elicit feelings of relationship satisfaction and commitment. Assisting others in their goal pursuit is also gratifying. We present a novel goal-systemic perspective on close relationships. Our analysis suggests that satisfying relationships are achieved when partners experience mutual perceived instrumentality—when each partner feels instrumental to his or her partner’s important goals and perceives the partner as instrumental to his or her important goals. Considering relationship partners as means to goals has important implications for relationship processes including attraction, relationship maintenance, and relationship dissolution.

Obesity represents a serious public health issue. One major contributor to obesity is the quality... more Obesity represents a serious public health issue. One major contributor to obesity is the quality and quantity of foods one consumes. Psychological research trying to understand overeating and unhealthy eating behavior has often attributed it to homeostatic malfunction and/or lack of self-regulatory ability. We propose a different approach here, suggesting that eating behavior represents goal pursuit and that obesity is the result of reliance on foods that fulfill convenience goals and price goals at the expense of health goals. We propose and present empirical evidence suggesting that people are capable of making healthier choices when health (rather than convenience and price) concerns predominate and healthy options are available. Based on this existing evidence we suggest that (1) future research should further explore individuals' food choice as a function of the multiple goals they attempt to achieve rather than as a lack of willpower, and (2) policy may contribute to healthy eating by reprioritizing these goals and emphasizing health while increasing the availability and affordability of healthy foods.

We explore the possibility that self-defeating behaviors represent self-regulatory success rather... more We explore the possibility that self-defeating behaviors represent self-regulatory success rather than failure. Specifically, we suggest that drug use, overeating, risky sexual behavior, self-harm, and martyrdom represent means toward individuals’ goals. In this capacity, they may be initiated and pursued upon goal activation despite potentially negative consequences, and thus exemplify the long-held notion that the end justifies the means. We propose a means-end analysis, present evidence that these activities demonstrate the hallmarks of goal pursuit, and discuss novel implications for understanding these behaviors.

We describe two experiments on the determinants of motivated judgments. They explored the conjoin... more We describe two experiments on the determinants of motivated judgments. They explored the conjoint effects of three factors: (1) dominant judgmental motivation (geared toward accuracy or directional bias), (2) task demands, and (3) the availability of cognitive resources. We find that where a directional motivation is dominant and task demands are high (making biasing difficult), the presence (vs. absence) of resources promotes wish- ful judgments. Conversely, where accuracy motivation is dominant and wishful judgments are the default, resources reduce the likelihood of their occurrence. Finally, where a directional motivation is dominant and task demands are low (making biasing easy), or where the accuracy motivation is dominant and task demands are high, resources have relatively minor effects on bias.

A three-phase longitudinal study (spread over a month’s time) was carried out to investigate atti... more A three-phase longitudinal study (spread over a month’s time) was carried out to investigate attitude’s persistence and linkage to behavior as it may be affected by the processing of information about the communication source. The following three indepen- dent variables were manipulated: (i) contents of the source of information (implying the communicator to be expert or inexpert on the topic of the communication); (ii) length of the source information (brief versus lengthy); and (iii) message recipients’ in- volvement in the issue at hand (high versus low). Replicating prior research when the source information was brief, it exerted greater persuasive impact under low versus high involvement, and when it was lengthy, it exerted greater persuasive impact un- der high versus low involvement. Of greater importance, the newly acquired attitudes were more persistent and were linked more strongly to actual behavior when the source information was lengthy (versus brief) provided the recipients had high (versus low) involvement in the issue. These findings were interpreted to mean that just like with the message/issue information in prior re- search, when processed extensively, source information, too, may contribute to the formation of persistent and behavior-driving attitudes. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The present paper features a novel approach to motivation and self-regulation couched in conceptu... more The present paper features a novel approach to motivation and self-regulation couched in conceptual terms of goal systems theory (Kruglanski et al., 2002). Goal systems theory adopts a cognitive view of motivation and highlights the interrelations of goals and means. The cognitive aspects of the theory have to do with the architec- ture of cognitions, and the finality of cognitive resources. The motivational aspects of the theory relate to the relation of the goal/means constructs to the dynamics of action and the affective phenomena that accompany goal pursuit. A goal systemic analysis not only affords a better understanding of classic self-regulatory phenomena, but also offers new insights into various psychological problems such as choice and judgment.

Determinants of motivated judgments were examined in this research. Three experiments investigate... more Determinants of motivated judgments were examined in this research. Three experiments investigated how dominant motivation, biasing difficulty and mental resources combine to produce motivationally congruent judgments. Studies 1 and 2 showed that where a biasing motivation is dominant the presence of resources can aug- ment a motivational bias in judgment. Study 3 replicated that result and showed that resources contribute to the for- mation of biased judgments only where biasing is difficult to accomplish, but not where it is relatively easy to accomplish. In addition, Study 3 showed that where the accuracy moti- vation is dominant and biasing is the easy default, unbiased judgments will occur only in the presence (vs. absence) of resources. In contrast, where unbiased judgments are easy to come by, such judgments occur irrespective of resources.

Terrorism is a tool designed to reach political objectives. Terrorism emerges in a social and pol... more Terrorism is a tool designed to reach political objectives. Terrorism emerges in a social and political context, representing
a form of psychological warfare aimed at achieving political goals by eliciting an emotional response in the populace of a
perceived adversary. As such, terrorism requires both the ability to penetrate the enemy’s defenses and the motivation to
justify violence. This article presents a means-end motivational account of terrorism, reviewing (a) the scope of the terrorist
threat, (b) what drives perceiving terrorism as an instrumental means of reaching political goals, (c) how the quest for
personal significance motivates adopting terrorism-justifying ideologies, and (d) how this understanding of terrorism may
inform counter-terrorism policy considerations.

Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 2014

Humans are motivated by a quest for significance that is threatened by the inevitability of death... more Humans are motivated by a quest for significance that is threatened by the inevitability of death. However, individuals with interdependent self-construals, self-representations that reflect embeddedness with and connection to others, are able to extend themselves through time and space through their linkage to a larger social group. The present set of 5 experiments tested the hypotheses that individuals primed with an interdependent self-construal would fear death less and would be more willing to face harm for the sake of the group than individuals with an independent self-construal, that is, self-representations that reflect autonomy and independence from others (“I have self-control”). The results show that interdependent self-construals, compared to independent self-construals, attenuate death anxiety, reduce the avoidance of death, increase the approach to death-related stimuli, induce a greater willingness to become a martyr, and induce a greater willingness to sacrifice the self for other members of important groups.

Review of General Psychology, 2013

People have many goals, presenting them with a challenge regarding how to navigate their multiple... more People have many goals, presenting them with a challenge regarding how to navigate their multiple pursuits in each instant. Two such strategies exist, referred to here as sequential and concurrent goal pursuit. The present perspective on multiple goal pursuit is presented through which we can better understand (a) the resource demands that necessitate strategies of multiple goal pursuit, (b) the differences between sequential and concurrent goal pursuit, and (c) when each of these strategies is likely to be adopted. The explanatory power of the current framework for diverse behavioral domains, including diet, exercise, addiction, and moral behavior is discussed, as are the implications for acting on one’s goals and the impact of success versus failure when pursuing each strategy.

This research examines the implications of locomotion regulatory mode (orientation toward making ... more This research examines the implications of locomotion regulatory mode (orientation toward making progress on goals) and assessment regulatory mode (orientation toward critically evaluating alternatives) for employees' performance. Regulatory mode theory suggests that, although these are both integral to self-regulation, they may also function independently of one another and affect distinct, but equally important, performance aspects. We propose and find that performance of locomotion-oriented employees is complemented by their leader's expert power (ability to provide superior knowledge and information), whereas performance of assessment-oriented employees is complemented by their leader's coercive power (ability to administer negative consequences). These findings support the regulatory mode interpersonal complementarity hypothesis and show that complementarity plays a role in self-regulation of objective performance.

American Psychologist, 2013

Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s concepts of self-love (amour propre) and love of self (amour de soi même)... more Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s concepts of self-love (amour propre) and love of self (amour de soi même) are applied to the psychology of terrorism. Self-love is concern with one’s image in the eyes of respected others, members of one’s group. It denotes one’s feeling of personal significance, the sense that one’s life has meaning in accordance with the values of one’s society. Love of self, in contrast, is individualistic concern with self-preservation, comfort, safety, and the survival of self and loved ones. We suggest that self-love defines a motivational force that when awakened arouses the goal of a significance quest. When a group perceives itself in conflict with dangerous detractors, its ideology may prescribe violence and terrorism against the enemy as a means of significance gain that gratifies self-love concerns. This may involve sacrificing one’s self-preservation goals, encapsulated in Rousseau’s concept of love of self. The foregoing notions afford the integration of diverse quantitative and qualitative findings on individuals’ road to terrorism and back. Understanding the significance quest and the conditions of its constructive fulfillment may be crucial to reversing the current tide of global terrorism.