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The Self- and Other-Interest Inventory.
Margaret E Gerbasi1, Deborah A Prentice
1Department of Psychology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08540, USA. mgerbasi@princeton.edu
Journal of Personality and Social Psychology
|June 26, 2013
Summary
This research introduces the Self- and Other-Interest Inventory to measure motivations for self and others. Findings show these motivations are independent and predict relevant behaviors.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Social Psychology
- Individual Differences
Background:
- Understanding individual motivations is crucial for predicting behavior.
- Previous measures may not adequately distinguish between self-interest and other-interest.
- Self-beliefs about one's motivations play a significant role in guiding actions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate the Self- and Other-Interest Inventory (SOII).
- To assess the reliability and validity of the SOII as a measure of individual differences in self- and other-interest.
- To explore the relationship between self- and other-interest and their predictive utility for behavior.
Main Methods:
- Five studies were conducted to develop and validate the SOII.
- The SOII was administered to various populations, including a general population sample.
- Psychometric analyses, including reliability and validity assessments, were performed.
- Behavioral prediction studies, including a prisoner's dilemma simulation, were utilized.
Main Results:
- The SOII reliably and validly measures self- and other-interest as independent constructs.
- Scores on the SOII show systematic changes with age and vary with the accessibility of related values.
- Self-interest scores predict self-benefiting behaviors, while other-interest scores predict other-benefiting behaviors.
- In trade-off situations, both self- and other-interest independently predict behavior.
Conclusions:
- The Self- and Other-Interest Inventory is a robust tool for measuring distinct motivations.
- Self- and other-interest are independent constructs that significantly influence behavior.
- The SOII has implications for understanding social behavior, decision-making, and individual differences.