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Self-Completion Theory

Explanations > Theories > Self-Completion Theory

Description | Research | Example | So What? | See also | References

Description

When people experience a threat to a valued element of their self-concept, then become highly motivated to seek some sort of social recognition of that identity.

Research

Gollwitzer took some promising dancers and asked half to write about their best instructor and half about their worst instructor. Later they were asked for a date when they could perform in public. Those who had been reminded of their worst instructor (and hence had their self-concept threatened) offered dates on average two weeks before the non-threatened dancers.

Example

If I fail a test, I will actively seek out someone to tell me I am still clever, thus restoring my sense of self as an intelligent person, or maybe pick an argument with someone to show I can still outsmart others.

So what?

Using it

Arrange for people to be threatened some one else (or just watch out for it to happen naturally). Then gain trust by being there to stroke and support their self-image.

You can also challenge a person's capability in something and they will actively seek to disprove you (and re-prove to themselves).

Defending

Beware of flatterers. They may want something of you.

See also

Cognitive Dissonance

References

Wicklund and Gollwizter (1982), Gollwitzer and Wicklund (1985), Brunstein and Gollwitzer (1996)

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© Changing Works 2002-
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Site Menu

| Home | Top | Quick Links | Settings |

Main sections: | Disciplines | Techniques | Principles | Explanations | Theories |

Other sections: | Blog! | Quotes | Guest articles | Analysis | Books | Help |

More pages: | Contact | Caveat | About | Students | Webmasters | Awards | Guestbook | Feedback | Sitemap | Changes |

Settings: | Computer layout | Mobile layout | Small font | Medium font | Large font | Translate |

Please help and share:

Quick links

Disciplines

* Argument
* Brand management
* Change Management
* Coaching
* Communication
* Counseling
* Game Design
* Human Resources
* Job-finding
* Leadership
* Marketing
* Politics
* Propaganda
* Rhetoric
* Negotiation
* Psychoanalysis
* Sales
* Sociology
* Storytelling
* Teaching
* Warfare
* Workplace design

Techniques

* Assertiveness
* Body language
* Change techniques
* Closing techniques
* Conversation
* Confidence tricks
* Conversion
* Creative techniques
* General techniques
* Happiness
* Hypnotism
* Interrogation
* Language
* Listening
* Negotiation tactics
* Objection handling
* Propaganda
* Problem-solving
* Public speaking
* Questioning
* Using repetition
* Resisting persuasion
* Self-development
* Sequential requests
* Storytelling
* Stress Management
* Tipping
* Using humor
* Willpower

Principles

Explanations

* Behaviors
* Beliefs
* Brain stuff
* Conditioning
* Coping Mechanisms
* Critical Theory
* Culture
* Decisions
* Emotions
* Evolution
* Gender
* Games
* Groups
* Habit
* Identity
* Learning
* Meaning
* Memory
* Motivation
* Models
* Needs
* Personality
* Power
* Preferences
* Research
* Relationships
* SIFT Model
* Social Research
* Stress
* Trust
* Values

Theories

* Alphabetic list
* Theory types

And

– About
– Guest Articles
– Blog!
– Books
– Changes
– Contact
– Guestbook
– Quotes
– Students
– Webmasters

| Home | Top | Menu | Quick Links |

© Changing Works 2002-
Massive Content — Maximum Speed