Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 29, 2026
12:09
Studying Food Reward and Motivation in Humans
Published on: March 19, 2014
Are merit and appreciation instrumental aims?
1Department of Educational and Psychological Studies, University of Miami, Coral Gables, USA bfowers@miami.edu.
The Behavioral and Brain Sciences
|May 27, 2026
Summary
Love is not merely a tool for significance but fundamentally constitutes it. The commentary suggests Kruglanski et al.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Social Psychology
Background:
- Kruglanski et al. proposed love as a means to achieve significance.
- This commentary critically examines that theoretical framework.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the conceptualization of love as an instrumental activity.
- To assess the empirical support for hypotheses linking love and significance.
Main Methods:
- Theoretical analysis of the concept of love.
- Critique of existing hypotheses regarding love and significance.
Main Results:
- Love is better understood as a constitutive end, not merely an instrumental means.
- The evidence base supporting the instrumental view of love for significance is limited.
Conclusions:
- A constitutive-ends framework is essential for understanding love's role in significance.
- Further empirical research is needed to substantiate the proposed relationship.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Secondary Motives: Power Motivation and Achievement Motivation
Power motivation and achievement motivation are two essential social motives identified by psychologist David McClelland. These motives influence behavior in various personal and professional contexts, shaping how individuals interact with others and pursue their goals.
Power motivation is characterized by the desire to influence, control, or have an impact on others. It is shaped by an individual's experiences, social environment, and cultural context. People with high power motivation are...
Power motivation is characterized by the desire to influence, control, or have an impact on others. It is shaped by an individual's experiences, social environment, and cultural context. People with high power motivation are...
01:29Self-Evaluation Maintenance Model
The Self-Evaluation Maintenance (SEM) model offers a psychological framework to understand how individuals’ self-esteem is influenced by the achievements of others, particularly those with whom they share close personal bonds. The SEM model operates when personal rather than social identity guides individuals. Central to this model is the notion that individuals have an inherent desire to preserve a favorable self-image, which is continuously shaped by interpersonal comparisons and...
03:00Self-Evaluation: Self-Enhancement and Self-Verification
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...
02:45Self-Discrepancy Theory
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.
01:29Impression Management Techniques II: Ingratiation
Ingratiation refers to deliberate behaviors aimed at increasing one’s attractiveness or likability to a target person, often for strategic interpersonal or social gain. This set of impression management tactics is especially prevalent in hierarchical contexts, where influencing someone with greater power or authority can yield significant benefits. Several distinct ingratiation strategies have been identified, each leveraging psychological cues to foster favor and affiliation.Opinion...
01:21Secondary Motives: Affiliation Motivation and Aggression Motivation
Affiliation motivation is the intrinsic desire to connect with others and belong to a social group, which plays a crucial role in forming and maintaining personal relationships. This type of motivation is essential for psychological well-being, as it provides individuals with a sense of community and support. An example of this is a student who joins a study group in order to feel a sense of connection. People with high affiliation motivation actively seek social approval, take satisfaction in...