Identity Goal Systems: Aspired-to Selves in Interaction and Context

• Applicants: Dr. Johannes Theodor Doerflinger; Professor Dr. Peter M. Gollwitzer
• Subject Area: Social Psychology, Industrial and Organisational Psychology
• Term: from 2019 to 2024
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 426554545

The overarching goal of the proposed research is to further the understanding of the situation when people pursue multiple identity goals. We propose a novel framework of identity goal systems, in which we aim to integrate two major theories foundational for the psychology of goal striving: Symbolic Self Completion Theory, and Goal Systems Theory. The former theory posits that aspired-to identities are represented as identity goals. The latter states that multiple goals are organized in multilevel knowledge structures (i.e., in goal systems). So far research on identity goals has focussed largely on single identity goals in isolation. Individuals, however, commonly pursue multiple identity goals at the same time (e.g., bicultural individuals may strive simultaneously for two cultural identity goals). This topic has drawn insuffucuent scholarly attention in motivation and social psychology.We plan to fill this gap by conducting a series of studies tackling three major research topics: First, our objective is to explore in what way does striving towards multiple goals depend on the availability of means. We propose that individuals who strive towards two identity goals at the same time prefer and more readily engage in means that serve both of these goals (i.e., multifinal means) over means that only serve one of them (unifinal means). We plan to analyze this research question in the context of cultural, vocational, environmental, and health identity goals. Second, we will explore how structural properties of identity goal systems affect a person’s cognition and behavior. We propose that the structural property of overlap in terms of shared goal content is a key aspect. Overlapping goals share superordinate higher level goals, but also means for identity goal symbolization and opportunities for action. Third, we will investigate whether the structure of identity goal systems is malleable. We hypothesize that context variables (e.g., the salience of shared means) can alter the perceived overlap of identity goals, thereby reducing goal conflict. We plan to translate the findings regarding malleability into applicable and effective interventions geared towards helping people to simultaneously strive for multiple identity goals effectively, thus reducing unnecessary goal conflicts. The planned line of research will benefit both motivation science and social psychological research on self and identity, and it will pertain to the research domains covered in health, environmental, moral, work, and cultural psychology.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: Poland, Spain
• Partner Organisation: Narodowe Centrum Nauki (NCN)
• Cooperation Partners: Professorin Dr. Katarzyna Byrka; Professorin Dr. Inge Schweiger Gallo
• Co-Investigator: Professorin Dr. Gabriele Oettingen