Approach and Avoidance Goal States in Daily Life: Antecedents and Consequences of Intraindividual Variation and Variability

• Applicant: Professorin Dr. Marie Hennecke
• Subject Area: General, Cognitive and Mathematical Psychology ; Developmental and Educational Psychology ; Personality Psychology, Clinical and Medical Psychology, Methodology ; Social Psychology, Industrial and Organisational Psychology
• Term: since 2021
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 460279863

Many studies show that striving to approach positive vs. striving to avoid negative outcomes differentially influences cognition, affect and behavior (for a summary, Elliot, 2008). For example, approach goals have been associated with desirable outcomes in the achievement domain (e.g., intrinsic motivation, performance). In contrast, avoidance goals are often negatively related to these valued outcomes (e.g., Elliot & Church, 1997; McGregor & Elliot, 2002). Similar results have been found in the relationship domain, where approach but not avoidance goals have been associated with positive outcomes (e.g., relationship satisfaction, closeness to partner, e.g., Impett et al., 2008, 2010). To date, the focus of this research has been on stable individual differences in approach and avoidance goals. We aim to complement this perspective by investigating the dynamic nature of and intra-individual variability in approach/avoidance goals in response to varying experiences, cognitions, and affective feelings. We plan two pilot studies aimed at developing and testing appropriate state measures of our constructs and four experience sampling studies focusing either on situationally varying antecedents or consequences of momentary approach/avoidance goals. We will conduct these studies in two goal domains that have attracted the most attention in approach/avoidance research, that is, academic achievement and intimate relationships. Our hypotheses are that positive momentary situational characteristics, cognitions, and affective states cause subsequent increases (decreases) in approach (avoidance) goal pursuit, whereas negative momentary situational characteristics, cognitions, and affective states cause subsequent increases (decreases) in avoidance (approach) goal pursuit. We furthermore predict that momentary approach goals promote (reduce) subsequent positive (negative) cognitions, affect, and behaviors (e.g., positive relationship behaviors). In contrast, avoidance goals should promote (reduce) subsequent negative (positive) cognitions, affect, and behaviors. We will furthermore investigate intra-individual variability as a person characteristic in its own right (Fiske & Reis, 1955) and explore its correlations with people´s neuroticism and exam grades. By partitioning within- and between-person variance components of approach/avoidance goal states, we will gain insights into the dynamic self-regulatory function of goals in response to varying situations. In addition, we take seriously the notion that hypotheses about intraindividual processes should be investigated in within-person analyses (Molenaar & Campbell, 2009). By providing evidence for intra-individual variability in approach/avoidance goal states, we contribute to ongoing discussions on the variability of personality constructs (e.g., Fleeson, 2012). On the long run, our research can inform applied psychology and practical fields such as public health, coaching, and teaching.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: Switzerland
• Cooperation Partner: Professorin Dr. Veronika Brandstätter-Morawietz