I Approach Therefore I am? Isolating Behaviour-Specific Effects on Self-Evaluation

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Cognitive Science
• Social Psychology

Background:

• Approach and avoidance behaviors are theorized to influence self-evaluation by altering self-stimulus distance.
• Previous research often examined these behaviors concurrently, lacking isolation of their individual causal effects.

Purpose of the Study:

• To empirically isolate the unique causal contributions of approach and avoidance behaviors on self-evaluation.
• To test model-based predictions by contrasting approach and avoidance effects within a controlled experimental paradigm.

Main Methods:

• Three experiments (N=1929) utilized an adapted Manikin Task with a no-distance-change control condition.
• Approach behavior effects were assessed using reaction time and self-report measures.
• Avoidance behavior was incorporated in the final experiment to directly compare opposing effects.

Main Results:

• No significant behavior-specific effects of approach or avoidance on self-evaluation were detected.
• The results challenge the notion of distinct causal roles for approach and avoidance in influencing self-perception.

Conclusions:

• The study's methodology provides a novel framework for future research into behavioral determinants of self-construal.
• Further investigation is needed to understand the nuanced interplay of behaviors in shaping self-evaluation.