Psychology Professor Leigh Ann Vaughn presented "Self-exploration and self-control: Differences in regulatory focus and psychological need support" at a poster session at the SPSP annual convention in New Orleans, on February 28, 2020.
This research showed that exploration and self-control, which are eager and vigilant motivational experiences, differ in psychological need support. This research randomly assigned participants (N = 704) to describe an experience of exploration versus self-control. Participants felt that they could do more what they want to (autonomy need support) and were more connected to people they care about (relatedness need support) in episodes of exploration. Their subjective competence to take on and master hard challenges (competence need support) was high in both kinds of experiences. This research also found that need support in exploration and self-control were similar to that in other eager and vigilant experiences, specifically hopes and duties. Eagerness and vigilance are key motivational states in many domains of activity, including school, work, relationships, and leisure. This research is important because it shows how psychological need support generally relates to people’s eagerness and vigilance.
Grants from the Ithaca College Office of the Provost supported this research.
https://www.ithaca.edu/intercom/article.php/20200303084321710