[Effect of personal priorities on magnitude of stimulus preference: initial empirical findings]

This study examines whether setting priorities in personal life-investment is reflected in a heightened sensitivity towards thematically related stimuli. Two groups of adults (N = 47; M = 30 years; 53% female) were compared: (1) participants with a parallel goal structure (n = 12) who feel equally committed to the work and the family domain, both in the present and in the future, and (b) participants with a sequential goal structure (n = 24), who currently feel more involved in the work domain, but expect to be more engaged in the family domain in the future. Five tasks were used to assess preference, all of them simultaneously presenting work- and family-related stimuli. As hypothesized, individuals with a sequential goal structure showed a stronger preference for work-related stimuli than individuals with a parallel structure. There were clear differences in word detection, in the elaboration of work-related statements, and in the choice between work-related and family-related reading material. Results are discussed primarily in reference to models of action-regulation.