Beyond Self-Esteem: Influence of Multiple Motives on Identity Construction

Diverse theories suggest that people are motivated to maintain or enhance feelings of self-esteem, continuity, distinctiveness, belonging, efficacy, and meaning in their identities. Four studies tested the influence of these motives on identity construction, by using a multilevel regression design....

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of personality and social psychology 2006-02, Vol.90 (2), p.308-333
Main Authors: Vignoles, Vivian L, Regalia, Camillo, Manzi, Claudia, Golledge, Jen, Scabini, Eugenia
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adult
Affect
Aged
Biological and medical sciences
Community
Empirical research
England
Family - psychology
Female
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Group analysis
Human
Humans
Identity Formation
Individuality
Individuals
Internal-External Control
Interpersonal Relations
Male
Middle Aged
Models, Psychological
Motivation
Personal Construct Theory
Personality. Affectivity
Pregnancy
Psychology
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Psychology. Psychophysiology
Regression analysis
Self Concept
Self Efficacy
Self esteem
Self representation
Social Identification
Social identity
Social psychology
Statistics as Topic
Surveys and Questionnaires
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Summary:Diverse theories suggest that people are motivated to maintain or enhance feelings of self-esteem, continuity, distinctiveness, belonging, efficacy, and meaning in their identities. Four studies tested the influence of these motives on identity construction, by using a multilevel regression design. Participants perceived as more central those identity elements that provided a greater sense of self-esteem, continuity, distinctiveness, and meaning; this was found for individual, relational, and group levels of identity, among various populations, and by using a prospective design. Motives for belonging and efficacy influenced identity definition indirectly through their direct influences on identity enactment and through their contributions to self-esteem. Participants were happiest about those identity elements that best satisfied motives for self-esteem and efficacy. These findings point to the need for an integrated theory of identity motivation.
ISSN:0022-3514
1939-1315
DOI:10.1037/0022-3514.90.2.308