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Approach/Avoidance Orientations Affect Self-Construal and Identification with In-group.

Ravit Nussinson1, Michael Häfner, Beate Seibt

  • 1Department of Education and Psychology, The Open University of Israel.

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Summary

Approach motivation leads to a broader focus on larger units and enhanced self-interdependence. This broader perspective also increases in-group identification compared to avoidance motivation.

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Area of Science:

  • Psychology
  • Social Psychology
  • Cognitive Psychology

Background:

  • Approach and avoidance are fundamental motivational states influencing cognition and perception.
  • Prior research suggests approach orientation promotes a global processing style (larger units) compared to avoidance orientation's local style (smaller units).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate how approach and avoidance orientations affect cognitive unit representation.
  • To examine the impact of these orientations on self-representation and interdependence.
  • To determine the influence of approach and avoidance on in-group identification.

Main Methods:

  • Study 1: Employed a novel paradigm to directly assess unit representation tendencies under approach vs. avoidance.
  • Study 2: Investigated self-representation and interdependence using a related paradigm.
  • Studies 3 & 4: Examined in-group identification differences between approach and avoidance conditions.

Main Results:

  • Approach orientation consistently led to a preference for representing objects in larger units compared to avoidance.
  • Individuals in an approach state showed greater self-interdependence, representing the self in larger, more connected units.
  • Approach motivation resulted in significantly stronger identification with one's in-group than avoidance motivation.

Conclusions:

  • Motivational orientations of approach and avoidance differentially shape cognitive processing, self-perception, and social identification.
  • Approach orientation broadens focus to larger units, fostering interdependence and in-group connection.
  • Findings highlight the pervasive influence of basic motivational states on diverse psychological processes.