Even though the motivation to feel worthy, to be respected, and to matter to others has been identified for centuries by scholars, the antecedents, consequences, and conditions of its activation have not been systematically analyzed or integrated. The purpose of this article is to offer such an integration. We feature a motivational construct, the quest for significance, defined as the need to have social worth. This need is typically fulfilled by a sense of measuring up to the values one shares with significant others. Our significance-quest theory (SQT) assumes that the need for significance is universal, whereas the means of satisfying it depend on the sociocultural context in which one's values are embedded. Those means are identified in a narrative supported and validated by one's network, or reference group. The quest for significance is activated by significance loss and/or the opportunity for significance gain. It motivates behavior that aims to affirm, realize, and/or show commitment to an important value. The SQT is consistent with large bodies of prior research and supported by novel studies in multiple laboratory and field settings. It transcends prior understandings and offers guidance for further study of this essential human motivation.

Significance-Quest Theory / Kruglanski, Arie W; Molinario, Erica; Jasko, Katarzyna; Webber, David; Leander, N Pontus; Pierro, Antonio. - In: PERSPECTIVES ON PSYCHOLOGICAL SCIENCE. - ISSN 1745-6916. - 17:4(2022), pp. 1050-1071. [10.1177/17456916211034825]

Significance-Quest Theory

Pierro, Antonio
2022

Abstract

Even though the motivation to feel worthy, to be respected, and to matter to others has been identified for centuries by scholars, the antecedents, consequences, and conditions of its activation have not been systematically analyzed or integrated. The purpose of this article is to offer such an integration. We feature a motivational construct, the quest for significance, defined as the need to have social worth. This need is typically fulfilled by a sense of measuring up to the values one shares with significant others. Our significance-quest theory (SQT) assumes that the need for significance is universal, whereas the means of satisfying it depend on the sociocultural context in which one's values are embedded. Those means are identified in a narrative supported and validated by one's network, or reference group. The quest for significance is activated by significance loss and/or the opportunity for significance gain. It motivates behavior that aims to affirm, realize, and/or show commitment to an important value. The SQT is consistent with large bodies of prior research and supported by novel studies in multiple laboratory and field settings. It transcends prior understandings and offers guidance for further study of this essential human motivation.
2022
mattering; narratives; networks; significance; Humans; Motivation
01 Pubblicazione su rivista::01a Articolo in rivista
Significance-Quest Theory / Kruglanski, Arie W; Molinario, Erica; Jasko, Katarzyna; Webber, David; Leander, N Pontus; Pierro, Antonio. - In: PERSPECTIVES ON PSYCHOLOGICAL SCIENCE. - ISSN 1745-6916. - 17:4(2022), pp. 1050-1071. [10.1177/17456916211034825]
File allegati a questo prodotto
Non ci sono file associati a questo prodotto.

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11573/1660143
 Attenzione

Attenzione! I dati visualizzati non sono stati sottoposti a validazione da parte dell'ateneo

Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? 8
  • Scopus 52
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 42
social impact