This study examined whether discrepancies between current self-concept (the actual self) and self-standards (Ideal and Ought self-guides), outlined in self-discrepancy theory (Higgins, 1987), influence preference for the self-evaluative motives of self-enhancement and self-verification. Individuals with Actual-Ideal discrepancies are motivated by nurturance needs, and strive toward goals of accomplishment. Individuals with Actual-Ought discrepancies are motivated by security needs, and strive toward obligatory goals.
Two hypotheses were proposed. (1) Actual-Ideal discrepancies will be more strongly associated with preference for self-enhancement than will Actual-Ought discrepancies. (2) Actual-Ought discrepancies will be more strongly associated with preference for self-verification than will Actual-Ideal discrepancies. Self-enhancement and self-verification were operationalized as feedback-seeking choices. Subjects were asked to choose the kind of feedback regarding personal traits they would be most interested in receiving.
Results were not supportive of either hypothesis. One potential reason for lack of significant findings was the absence of a measure of the strength of self-guides. Chronic accessibility is a well-established conceptualization and operationalization of self-guide strength. The lack of significant findings highlights the importance of measuring the strength of self-guides.
Post-hoc analyses revealed that order of presentation of dependent measures influenced subjects' feedback seeking choices, such that the group receiving the forced-choice measure first (preference for negative/positive feedback) was more likely to prefer negative feedback on both dependent measures than the group receiving the ranking measure first (preference for feedback on best vs. worst attribute). This finding is interpreted as a priming effect.
Other limitations of the research, such as feedback-seeking choices on minimally relevant attributes, and limitations associated with self-report measures are presented. Recommendations for overcoming these limitations, and suggestions for future research are discussed.
