Self Growth

Question 1

The motives for meaning and self esteem are:

Answer 1

Defensive motives

Question 2

The motive for self-growth

Answer 2

• Self-determination theory
People have an inherent urge to grow: to explore the world and master new challenges
When people act on this urge, their behaviors are Intrinsically Motivated
Alternatively, when behaviors are controlled by external forces, they are Extrinsically Motivated
When behaviors feel intrinsically motivated, people are more satisfied and healthier overall, and they do a better job
The role of the environment: Intrinsic motivation increases when the environment supports a person’s:
• Autonomy (Sense of choice)
• Competence (Perception of effectiveness)
• Relatedness (Connection with others)

Question 3

Self-determination theory

Answer 3

• Environments that promote autonomy, competence, and relatedness should increase overall well-being

Question 4

Intrinsic motivation

Answer 4

People have an inherent urge to grow: to explore the world and master new challenges
When people act on this urge, their behaviors are Intrinsically Motivated

Question 5

Extrinsic motivation

Answer 5

Alternatively, when behaviors are controlled by external forces, they are Extrinsically Motivated
When behaviors feel intrinsically motivated, people are more satisfied and healthier overall, and they do a better job

Question 6

Relation between intrinsic motivation and autonomy, relatedness, and competence

Answer 6

o The role of the environment: Intrinsic motivation increases when the environment supports a person’s:
• Autonomy (Sense of choice)
• Competence (Perception of effectiveness)
• Relatedness (Connection with others)

Question 7

Plant Study

Answer 7

• Nursing home residents given a plant
• IV: Self responsible for caring for plant (High autonomy) OR Staff responsible for caring for plant (Low autonomy)
• DV: Mortality (death rate)
• Results:
 15 months later:
• Mortality in high autonomy condition: 15% Mortality in baseline condition: 30%
 In environments that support autonomy, people thrive

Question 8

Coloring Award Study

Answer 8

o Pre-school children did some coloring
o IV:
• No award (“Just color”)
• Expected Award (“You’ll get a candy bar”)
• Unexpected Award (“Surprise! Candy bar”)
o DV: What percentage of their free time did kids choose to color?
o Results: No reward and Unexpected Award both significantly higher than expected reward
Shows OVERJUSTIFICATION effect

Question 9

The overjustification Effect

Answer 9

• When external factors lead people to attribute the reason, or justification, for their action to an external incentive (like money, candy, or affection):
o They are less motivated to do it.
o They enjoy it less

Question 10

Stimulants to self-growth: the case of creativity

Answer 10

• Simply being exposed to novel environments can boost creativity
• Being exposed to a foreign culture can improve creative performance, IF The right conditions are in place…

Question 11

Cultural Exposure study

Answer 11

• College students watched a slide show depicting images of…
• IV:
 Just American Culture
 Just Chinese Culture
 American-Chinese fusion Culture
• DV: How creative were students afterward?
• Results: The American-Chinese fusion was the most creativity-inspiring