Are there gender differences in promotion-prevention self-regulatory focus?
Dinah Gutermuth1, Melvyn R W Hamstra2,3,4
1University of Exeter, Exeter, UK.
British Journal of Psychology (London, England : 1953)
|November 20, 2023
Summary
Women are consistently more prevention-focused, prioritizing security, while men are slightly more promotion-focused, seeking advancement. These gender differences in self-regulatory focus have implications for behavior.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Social Psychology
- Gender Studies
Background:
- Self-regulatory focus, a motivational orientation, influences human functioning.
- Social cognitive theory suggests socialization processes may shape gender differences in self-regulatory focus.
Conclusions:
- Gender differences in self-regulatory focus are evident, particularly in prevention orientation.
- Regulatory focus partially explains observed behavioral differences between men and women.
- Findings open new avenues for research on gender, bias, and motivation.
Related Concept Videos
02:45Self-Discrepancy Theory
18.3K
One influential perspective on what motivates people's behavior is detailed in Tory Higgin's self-discrepancy theory (Higgins, 1987). He proposed that people hold disagreeing internal representations of themselves that lead to different emotional states.
18.3K
00:52Social Proof
27.7K
Social proof is a form of persuasion based on comparison and conformity. People compare their behavior and actions to what others are doing and will change to conform to do what their peers do.
27.7K
01:30Socioemotional Experience and Gender Development
34
Social-emotional experiences and cultural influences play significant roles in shaping gender development. During middle childhood, from ages 6 to 11, peer groups become dominant in reinforcing gender norms. Children in this age group often align with same-gender peer groups, which actively encourage behaviors that conform to traditional gender roles. For instance, boys may be discouraged from engaging in activities perceived as feminine, reinforcing culturally dictated norms about masculinity...
34
02:05Self-Presentation: Self-Monitoring and Self-Handicapping
39.0K
People can go to great lengths to protect their self-image and present themselves in ways that they want others to see them. Sociologist Erving Goffman presented the idea that a person is like an actor on a stage. Calling his theory dramaturgy, Goffman believed that we use “impression management” to present ourselves to others as we hope to be perceived. Each situation is a new scene, and individuals perform different roles depending on who is present (Goffman, 1959). Think about...
39.0K
03:00Self-Evaluation: Self-Enhancement and Self-Verification
5.2K
Social psychologists have documented that feeling good about ourselves and maintaining positive self-esteem is a powerful motivator of human behavior (Tavris & Aronson, 2008). In the United States, members of the predominant culture typically think very highly of themselves and view themselves as good people who are above average on many desirable traits (Ehrlinger, Gilovich, & Ross, 2005). Often, our behavior, attitudes, and beliefs are affected when we experience a threat to our...
5.2K
02:55Stereotypes, Prejudice, and Discrimination
90.2K
Humans are very diverse and although we share many similarities, we also have many differences. The social groups we belong to help form our identities (Tajfel, 1974). These differences may be difficult for some people to reconcile, which may lead to prejudice toward people who are different. Prejudice is a negative attitude and feeling toward an individual based solely on one’s membership in a particular social group (Allport, 1954; Brown, 2010). Prejudice is common against people who...
90.2K