Ein Selbstevaluationsmodell aufwärts gerichteten kontrafaktischen Gedanken

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Peter M. Gollwitzer, since 2/2009
• Subject Area: Social Psychology, Industrial and Organisational Psychology
• Term: from 2009 to 2011
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 105164317

• Final Report Year: 2012

Final Report Abstract

In this project, we examined a model of how upward counterfactual "if only" thinking influences subsequent goal-directed behavior. Specifically, we found evidence that 1) upward counterfactual can improve subsequent task effort and performance when the individual holds a self-improvement goal, but can undermine effective goal-pursuit when they arc likely to be used to protect self-worth; 2) that upward counterfactuals benefit goal pursuit only when they suggest that performance has thus far been inadequate; 3) that upward counterfactual are only likely to influence behavior when they suggest that a better outcome was within the control of the individual; 4) that upward counterfactual thoughts amplify the effects of self-evaluation motives; and 5) that upward counterfactual thoughts are less effective than implementation intentions at directing specific goal-directed responses and overcoming self-protective motives. These results have important implications for understanding how thoughts about the past affect subsequent behavior and underscore the usefulness of the mental simulation model for understanding self-regulation more generally. Furthermore, we have identified potentially useful techniques (e.g., promoting the formation of implementation intentions) for reducing defensive behavior, which may be of use in educational, personnel management, and cliiucal contexts.

Publications

• (2010). How to maximize implementation intention effects. In C. R. Agnew, D. E. Carlston, W. G. Graziano, J. R. Kelly (Eds.), Then a miracle occurs: Focusing on behavior in social psychological theory and research, (pp. 137-161). New York: Oxford Press
  Gollwitzer, P. M,, Wieber, F., Myers, A. L., & McCrea, S. M.
  
• (2011). Über die Unterstützung reflektiver Verhaltensdeterminaten. Psychologische Rundschau, 62, 179-187
  Martiny-Hünger, T., Thürmer, J. L., Issa, M., & Gollwitzer, P. M.
  
• (2012). Pursuing perfection or pursuing protection? Self-evaluation concerns and the motivational consequences of counterfactual thinking. European Journal of Social Psychology. 42, 372-382
  Tyser, M. P., McCrea, S. M., & Knüpfer, K.