L’année psychologique/Topics in Cognitive Psychology, 2022
Cette recherche étudie le lien entre orientation politique et attitude vis-à-vis d’une nouvelle m... more Cette recherche étudie le lien entre orientation politique et attitude vis-à-vis d’une nouvelle méthode pédagogique. Des parents d’élèves ont lu la description d’une nouvelle méthode pédagogique et ont rapporté leur intérêt dans cette méthode ainsi que leur soutien à sa mise en place dans l’école de leurs enfants. En fonction de la condition expérimentale, la méthode était présentée, soit comme égalisant les performances scolaires des élèves issus de milieux favorisés et défavorisés (méthode « égalisante »), soit comme les maintenant (méthode « maintenante »). L’orientation politique des parents était mesurée. Les résultats ont montré que plus leur orientation politique tendait vers la droite, moins les parents étaient intéressés par la méthode et moins ils soutenaient son implémentation dans l’école de leur.s enfant.s. En outre, l’orientation à droite prédisait négativement le soutien à la méthode égalisante, et non à la méthode maintenante. Les implications de ces résultats pour le changement de l’école sont discutées.
Perceiving learning environments as competitive shapes how students think, feel, and behave. We c... more Perceiving learning environments as competitive shapes how students think, feel, and behave. We conducted two preregistered studies designed to examine three central constructs in the achievement motivation literature as predictors of perceived academic competitiveness: Trait competitiveness, fear of failure, and general self-efficacy. In Study 1, we (a) replicated and (b) extended prior work using a sample of nearly 700 undergraduates (41.9 % Male; M age = 19.57 ± 1.43). In Study 2, we (c) examined how these findings generalized using a sample of approximately half a million secondary school students from 73 countries (49.0 % Male; M age = 15.79 ± 0.29). Students higher in trait competitiveness, fear of failure, and general self-efficacy perceived more competitiveness; this was observed across cultural contexts. Cross-cultural generalizability and the joint influence of dispositional and situational predictors on perceived academic competitiveness are discussed.
Income inequality is commonly posited to elevate concerns about social status that undermine psyc... more Income inequality is commonly posited to elevate concerns about social status that undermine psychological health, but the empirical evidence is inconsistent. Here we propose that these inconsistencies conceal opposing processes: Income inequality prompts perceived competitiveness, which can both negatively predict psychological health via avoidance motivation and positively predict psychological health via approach motivation. First, we conducted a two-year longitudinal study (1,700+ participants from 500+ county identifiers) and provided support for our opposing processes model. Second, we conducted three pre-preregistered studies using an experimental-causal-chain design. We sequentially showed that induced income inequality increased perceived competitiveness (Study 2a; 444 participants), induced perceived competitiveness increased avoidance and approach motivation (Study 2b; 1,018 participants), and induced avoidance/approach motivation decreased/increased psychological health (Study 2c; 562 participants). These findings suggest that scholars should shift from studying the main effects of income inequality on psychological health to studying the psychological processes involved in the inequality-health relation.
Purpose A popular idea in the social sciences is that contexts with high income inequality underm... more Purpose A popular idea in the social sciences is that contexts with high income inequality undermine people's well-being and health. However, existing studies documenting this phenomenon typically compare a small number of higher-level units (countries/regions). Here, we use local income inequality indicators and temporal designs to provide the most highly powered test to date of the associations between income inequality and self-reported happiness and health in the USA Method We combined county-level income inequality data (county-level Gini coefficients) with the responses from the General Social Survey (GSS) Cross-sectional dataset (13,000 + participants from ≈1000 county-waves) and Panels (3 × 3000 + participants from 3 × ≈500 county-waves); we used the GSS happiness ("not too happy," "pretty happy," or "very happy") and health ("poor," "fair," "good," or "excellent") variables. Results Multilevel-ordered logistic models and equivalence tests revealed that the within-county effects of income inequality on self-reported happiness and health were systematically equivalent to zero. Additional analyses revealed that the withinstate effects were identical, that using alternative measures of state income inequality led to the same conclusions, and that lagged effects (between + 1 and + 12 years) were never significant and always equivalent to zero. Conclusion The present work suggests that-at least in the USA-income inequality is likely neither associated with selfreported happiness nor with self-reported health.
Background. We examined whether young men and women differ in the relation between porn use and s... more Background. We examined whether young men and women differ in the relation between porn use and sexual performance (sexual self-competence, sexual functioning, and partnerreported sexual satisfaction). Methods. We conducted a three-wave longitudinal study (spanning 2015-16-17) that involved a very large number of men and women in their early 20s (100 000 + French-speaking individuals; 4000 + heterosexual couples). Results. The results revealed a twofold phenomenon. Among men, a higher frequency of porn use (wave 1) and increased porn use over time (waves 1-3) were associated with lower levels of sexual self-competence, impaired sexual functioning, and decreased partner-reported sexual satisfaction. In contrast, among women, higher and increasing frequencies of porn use were associated with higher levels of sexual self-competence, improved sexual functioning, and enhanced partner-reported sexual satisfaction (for some aspects). Conclusions. The findings reveal the irony that porna male-dominated industry that targets a male-dominated audienceis associated with the erosion of the quality of men's sex lives and the improvement of women's sex lives.
Social capital interventions for the mental health of older adults have been inconclusive to date... more Social capital interventions for the mental health of older adults have been inconclusive to date, and have rarely investigated the psychological resources that are important to having social capital. This study focused on the "Neighborhoods in Solidarity" (NS), which are a series of Swiss community-based interventions that aim to empower older adults to participate in their communities. Our goal was to
Competitiveness and cooperativeness are important predictors of social and learning outcomes at s... more Competitiveness and cooperativeness are important predictors of social and learning outcomes at school. Drawing on evidence suggesting that contexts with high income inequality foster an ethos of competitiveness and inhibit cooperativeness in the economic environment, we examine whether income inequality is also associated with more competitiveness and less cooperativeness in the academic environment. We conducted four preregistered studies to test this idea. In Study 1, analysis of the OECD PISA 2018 dataset (≈500,000 15-year-old students from 75 countries) revealed that students from economically unequal countries perceive their schoolmates as more competitive and less cooperative. In Study 2a-2b, analysis of the PISA 2003 (250,000+ students from 38 countries) and PISA 2000 (75,000+ students from 32 countries) datasets revealed that students from unequal countries are themselves more competitive and, surprisingly, also more cooperative. Follow-up analyses resolved this apparent pa...
As the topic of inequalities has gained attention in the past decade, social scientists have deve... more As the topic of inequalities has gained attention in the past decade, social scientists have developed theoretical frameworks to understand how social class shapes the way individuals think, feel, and behave. These frameworks suggest that lower-class contexts nurture psychological and behavioral tendencies oriented toward others and the environment (interdependence, contextualism), whereas higher-class contexts nurture tendencies oriented toward the self (independence, solipsism). However, empirical research on social class faces obstacles that limit the generalizability of extant findings (small sample sizes, nondiverse convenience samples, measurement flexibility). We propose a large-scale (N = 36,000) and theoretically comprehensive replication of 43 key effects (from 22 studies) of social class on the self, relationships, emotions, cognition, social behavior, and decision-making. The project will also contribute to refining theoretical models by testing the predictive strength o...
Trust is the social glue that holds society together. The academic consensus is that trust is wea... more Trust is the social glue that holds society together. The academic consensus is that trust is weaker among lower-class individuals and in unequal regions/countries, which is often considered a threat to a healthy society. However, existing studies are inconsistent and have two limitations: (i) variability in the measurement of social class and (ii) small numbers of higher level units (regions/countries). We addressed these problems using large-scale (cross-)national representative surveys (encompassing 560,000+ participants from 1,500+ regional/national units). Multilevel analysis led to two consistent sets of findings. First, the effects of social class on social trust were systematically positive, whereas the effects on institutional trust depended on the way social class was measured. Second, the effects of income inequality on social and institutional trust were systematically nonsignificant and smaller than the smallest negative effect of interest. Our findings suggest that res...
This piece is meant to help you understand and master two-level linear modeling in an accessible,... more This piece is meant to help you understand and master two-level linear modeling in an accessible, swift, and fun way (while being based on rigorous and up-to-date research). It is divided into four parts: PART 1 presents the three key principles of two-level linear modeling. PART 2 presents a three-step procedure for conducting two-level linear modeling using SPSS, Stata, R, or Mplus (from centering variables to interpreting the cross-level interactions). PART 3 presents the results from a series of simulations comparing the performances of SPSS, Stata, R, and Mplus. PART 4 gives a Q&A addressing multilevel modeling issues pertaining to statistical power, effect sizes, complex design, and nonlinear two-level regression. The empirical example used in this tutorial is based on genuine data pertaining to ʼ90s and post-ʼ00s boy band member hotness and Instagram popularity. In reading this paper, you will have the opportunity to win a signed picture of Justin Timberlake.
Purpose The consumption of music performed in different languages represents a significant aspect... more Purpose The consumption of music performed in different languages represents a significant aspect of the contemporary cultural experience. This phenomenon questions how different languages mediate music consumption in specific national contexts. In this paper, the authors investigate the case of live music consumption in France. Design/methodology/approach The authors surveyed 428 persons who saw 159 artists either performing in French or in English in 46 locations around Paris, France. The authors tested the effect of the language of the concert on three dimensions of music consumption: singing in unison, appraisal of the lyrics and dancing. Findings Multilevel analysis revealed that English was positively associated with dancing, whereas French was positively associated with the appraisal of the lyrics. The authors found no evidence that the language of the concert was associated with differences in singing in unison. Originality/value Results are discussed with respect to languag...
Social Psychological and Personality Science, 2019
There exists a racial income gap in America: Blacks earn *38% less than Whites, but little is kno... more There exists a racial income gap in America: Blacks earn *38% less than Whites, but little is known about its relation to interracial psychological outcomes. Toward this end, the present research examined associations between the Black-White income gap and perceptions of interracial competition and, subsequently, negative intergroup outcomes. Study 1 extracted data from a large, preexisting data set (N ¼ 2,543) and provided initial support for the hypothesis that higher levels of racial income inequality are associated with increased perceptions of competition. Study 2 then recruited approximately equal numbers of White and Black participants (N ¼ 1,731) and demonstrated that increases in racial income inequality predict increased perceptions of competition , discrimination, behavioral avoidance, and intergroup anxiety. Implications for theory development and public policy are discussed.
International Journal of Public Opinion Research, 2019
Although past research has suggested that pluralistic ignorance-a mismatch between perceptions of... more Although past research has suggested that pluralistic ignorance-a mismatch between perceptions of others' opinions and actual personal opinions-does not occur in every circumstance, no studies have directly investigated variations among different attitude objects. Drawing upon theoretical and analytical approaches based on social representations , this study examines differences between personal opinions and perceived opinions of different groups toward same-sex female parenting (a newly debated attitude object) and working mothers (an older debated attitude object). Using data from a study (N = 743) conducted in Switzerland, the findings indicate that pluralistic ignorance occurs in opinions toward same-sex female parenting. Furthermore, the findings show that pluralistic ignorance arises from false consensus among conserva-tives and from false uniqueness among liberals.
We adopted an achievement goal complex framework (studying achievement goals and reasons connecte... more We adopted an achievement goal complex framework (studying achievement goals and reasons connected to goals) to determine when and why performance goals predict exploitation of others’ knowledge. We hypothesized that: (i) when selective assessment is used (exams aiming to select a limited number of individuals), the link between performance goals and exploitation orientation is stronger; (ii) the reason why is that selective assessment fosters performance goals regulated by controlled reasons. Study 1 (N = 166) supported these hypotheses in a “real world” environment, comparing students enrolled in programs using non-selective versus selective assessment (but having a majority of common courses). Then, an experimental causal-chain-like design was used. In Study 2 (N = 187), presenting an intelligence test as selective (vs. [self-] evaluative) predicted controlled reasons connected to performance goals. In Study 3 (N = 192), inducing performance goals using controlling (vs. autonomy-supportive) language predicted exploitation orientation, indirectly impairing information sharing behaviors. The results contribute to the understanding of both the structural antecedents and interpersonal consequences of achievement goal complexes.
L’année psychologique/Topics in Cognitive Psychology, 2022
Cette recherche étudie le lien entre orientation politique et attitude vis-à-vis d’une nouvelle m... more Cette recherche étudie le lien entre orientation politique et attitude vis-à-vis d’une nouvelle méthode pédagogique. Des parents d’élèves ont lu la description d’une nouvelle méthode pédagogique et ont rapporté leur intérêt dans cette méthode ainsi que leur soutien à sa mise en place dans l’école de leurs enfants. En fonction de la condition expérimentale, la méthode était présentée, soit comme égalisant les performances scolaires des élèves issus de milieux favorisés et défavorisés (méthode « égalisante »), soit comme les maintenant (méthode « maintenante »). L’orientation politique des parents était mesurée. Les résultats ont montré que plus leur orientation politique tendait vers la droite, moins les parents étaient intéressés par la méthode et moins ils soutenaient son implémentation dans l’école de leur.s enfant.s. En outre, l’orientation à droite prédisait négativement le soutien à la méthode égalisante, et non à la méthode maintenante. Les implications de ces résultats pour le changement de l’école sont discutées.
Perceiving learning environments as competitive shapes how students think, feel, and behave. We c... more Perceiving learning environments as competitive shapes how students think, feel, and behave. We conducted two preregistered studies designed to examine three central constructs in the achievement motivation literature as predictors of perceived academic competitiveness: Trait competitiveness, fear of failure, and general self-efficacy. In Study 1, we (a) replicated and (b) extended prior work using a sample of nearly 700 undergraduates (41.9 % Male; M age = 19.57 ± 1.43). In Study 2, we (c) examined how these findings generalized using a sample of approximately half a million secondary school students from 73 countries (49.0 % Male; M age = 15.79 ± 0.29). Students higher in trait competitiveness, fear of failure, and general self-efficacy perceived more competitiveness; this was observed across cultural contexts. Cross-cultural generalizability and the joint influence of dispositional and situational predictors on perceived academic competitiveness are discussed.
Income inequality is commonly posited to elevate concerns about social status that undermine psyc... more Income inequality is commonly posited to elevate concerns about social status that undermine psychological health, but the empirical evidence is inconsistent. Here we propose that these inconsistencies conceal opposing processes: Income inequality prompts perceived competitiveness, which can both negatively predict psychological health via avoidance motivation and positively predict psychological health via approach motivation. First, we conducted a two-year longitudinal study (1,700+ participants from 500+ county identifiers) and provided support for our opposing processes model. Second, we conducted three pre-preregistered studies using an experimental-causal-chain design. We sequentially showed that induced income inequality increased perceived competitiveness (Study 2a; 444 participants), induced perceived competitiveness increased avoidance and approach motivation (Study 2b; 1,018 participants), and induced avoidance/approach motivation decreased/increased psychological health (Study 2c; 562 participants). These findings suggest that scholars should shift from studying the main effects of income inequality on psychological health to studying the psychological processes involved in the inequality-health relation.
Purpose A popular idea in the social sciences is that contexts with high income inequality underm... more Purpose A popular idea in the social sciences is that contexts with high income inequality undermine people's well-being and health. However, existing studies documenting this phenomenon typically compare a small number of higher-level units (countries/regions). Here, we use local income inequality indicators and temporal designs to provide the most highly powered test to date of the associations between income inequality and self-reported happiness and health in the USA Method We combined county-level income inequality data (county-level Gini coefficients) with the responses from the General Social Survey (GSS) Cross-sectional dataset (13,000 + participants from ≈1000 county-waves) and Panels (3 × 3000 + participants from 3 × ≈500 county-waves); we used the GSS happiness ("not too happy," "pretty happy," or "very happy") and health ("poor," "fair," "good," or "excellent") variables. Results Multilevel-ordered logistic models and equivalence tests revealed that the within-county effects of income inequality on self-reported happiness and health were systematically equivalent to zero. Additional analyses revealed that the withinstate effects were identical, that using alternative measures of state income inequality led to the same conclusions, and that lagged effects (between + 1 and + 12 years) were never significant and always equivalent to zero. Conclusion The present work suggests that-at least in the USA-income inequality is likely neither associated with selfreported happiness nor with self-reported health.
Background. We examined whether young men and women differ in the relation between porn use and s... more Background. We examined whether young men and women differ in the relation between porn use and sexual performance (sexual self-competence, sexual functioning, and partnerreported sexual satisfaction). Methods. We conducted a three-wave longitudinal study (spanning 2015-16-17) that involved a very large number of men and women in their early 20s (100 000 + French-speaking individuals; 4000 + heterosexual couples). Results. The results revealed a twofold phenomenon. Among men, a higher frequency of porn use (wave 1) and increased porn use over time (waves 1-3) were associated with lower levels of sexual self-competence, impaired sexual functioning, and decreased partner-reported sexual satisfaction. In contrast, among women, higher and increasing frequencies of porn use were associated with higher levels of sexual self-competence, improved sexual functioning, and enhanced partner-reported sexual satisfaction (for some aspects). Conclusions. The findings reveal the irony that porna male-dominated industry that targets a male-dominated audienceis associated with the erosion of the quality of men's sex lives and the improvement of women's sex lives.
Social capital interventions for the mental health of older adults have been inconclusive to date... more Social capital interventions for the mental health of older adults have been inconclusive to date, and have rarely investigated the psychological resources that are important to having social capital. This study focused on the "Neighborhoods in Solidarity" (NS), which are a series of Swiss community-based interventions that aim to empower older adults to participate in their communities. Our goal was to
Competitiveness and cooperativeness are important predictors of social and learning outcomes at s... more Competitiveness and cooperativeness are important predictors of social and learning outcomes at school. Drawing on evidence suggesting that contexts with high income inequality foster an ethos of competitiveness and inhibit cooperativeness in the economic environment, we examine whether income inequality is also associated with more competitiveness and less cooperativeness in the academic environment. We conducted four preregistered studies to test this idea. In Study 1, analysis of the OECD PISA 2018 dataset (≈500,000 15-year-old students from 75 countries) revealed that students from economically unequal countries perceive their schoolmates as more competitive and less cooperative. In Study 2a-2b, analysis of the PISA 2003 (250,000+ students from 38 countries) and PISA 2000 (75,000+ students from 32 countries) datasets revealed that students from unequal countries are themselves more competitive and, surprisingly, also more cooperative. Follow-up analyses resolved this apparent pa...
As the topic of inequalities has gained attention in the past decade, social scientists have deve... more As the topic of inequalities has gained attention in the past decade, social scientists have developed theoretical frameworks to understand how social class shapes the way individuals think, feel, and behave. These frameworks suggest that lower-class contexts nurture psychological and behavioral tendencies oriented toward others and the environment (interdependence, contextualism), whereas higher-class contexts nurture tendencies oriented toward the self (independence, solipsism). However, empirical research on social class faces obstacles that limit the generalizability of extant findings (small sample sizes, nondiverse convenience samples, measurement flexibility). We propose a large-scale (N = 36,000) and theoretically comprehensive replication of 43 key effects (from 22 studies) of social class on the self, relationships, emotions, cognition, social behavior, and decision-making. The project will also contribute to refining theoretical models by testing the predictive strength o...
Trust is the social glue that holds society together. The academic consensus is that trust is wea... more Trust is the social glue that holds society together. The academic consensus is that trust is weaker among lower-class individuals and in unequal regions/countries, which is often considered a threat to a healthy society. However, existing studies are inconsistent and have two limitations: (i) variability in the measurement of social class and (ii) small numbers of higher level units (regions/countries). We addressed these problems using large-scale (cross-)national representative surveys (encompassing 560,000+ participants from 1,500+ regional/national units). Multilevel analysis led to two consistent sets of findings. First, the effects of social class on social trust were systematically positive, whereas the effects on institutional trust depended on the way social class was measured. Second, the effects of income inequality on social and institutional trust were systematically nonsignificant and smaller than the smallest negative effect of interest. Our findings suggest that res...
This piece is meant to help you understand and master two-level linear modeling in an accessible,... more This piece is meant to help you understand and master two-level linear modeling in an accessible, swift, and fun way (while being based on rigorous and up-to-date research). It is divided into four parts: PART 1 presents the three key principles of two-level linear modeling. PART 2 presents a three-step procedure for conducting two-level linear modeling using SPSS, Stata, R, or Mplus (from centering variables to interpreting the cross-level interactions). PART 3 presents the results from a series of simulations comparing the performances of SPSS, Stata, R, and Mplus. PART 4 gives a Q&A addressing multilevel modeling issues pertaining to statistical power, effect sizes, complex design, and nonlinear two-level regression. The empirical example used in this tutorial is based on genuine data pertaining to ʼ90s and post-ʼ00s boy band member hotness and Instagram popularity. In reading this paper, you will have the opportunity to win a signed picture of Justin Timberlake.
Purpose The consumption of music performed in different languages represents a significant aspect... more Purpose The consumption of music performed in different languages represents a significant aspect of the contemporary cultural experience. This phenomenon questions how different languages mediate music consumption in specific national contexts. In this paper, the authors investigate the case of live music consumption in France. Design/methodology/approach The authors surveyed 428 persons who saw 159 artists either performing in French or in English in 46 locations around Paris, France. The authors tested the effect of the language of the concert on three dimensions of music consumption: singing in unison, appraisal of the lyrics and dancing. Findings Multilevel analysis revealed that English was positively associated with dancing, whereas French was positively associated with the appraisal of the lyrics. The authors found no evidence that the language of the concert was associated with differences in singing in unison. Originality/value Results are discussed with respect to languag...
Social Psychological and Personality Science, 2019
There exists a racial income gap in America: Blacks earn *38% less than Whites, but little is kno... more There exists a racial income gap in America: Blacks earn *38% less than Whites, but little is known about its relation to interracial psychological outcomes. Toward this end, the present research examined associations between the Black-White income gap and perceptions of interracial competition and, subsequently, negative intergroup outcomes. Study 1 extracted data from a large, preexisting data set (N ¼ 2,543) and provided initial support for the hypothesis that higher levels of racial income inequality are associated with increased perceptions of competition. Study 2 then recruited approximately equal numbers of White and Black participants (N ¼ 1,731) and demonstrated that increases in racial income inequality predict increased perceptions of competition , discrimination, behavioral avoidance, and intergroup anxiety. Implications for theory development and public policy are discussed.
International Journal of Public Opinion Research, 2019
Although past research has suggested that pluralistic ignorance-a mismatch between perceptions of... more Although past research has suggested that pluralistic ignorance-a mismatch between perceptions of others' opinions and actual personal opinions-does not occur in every circumstance, no studies have directly investigated variations among different attitude objects. Drawing upon theoretical and analytical approaches based on social representations , this study examines differences between personal opinions and perceived opinions of different groups toward same-sex female parenting (a newly debated attitude object) and working mothers (an older debated attitude object). Using data from a study (N = 743) conducted in Switzerland, the findings indicate that pluralistic ignorance occurs in opinions toward same-sex female parenting. Furthermore, the findings show that pluralistic ignorance arises from false consensus among conserva-tives and from false uniqueness among liberals.
We adopted an achievement goal complex framework (studying achievement goals and reasons connecte... more We adopted an achievement goal complex framework (studying achievement goals and reasons connected to goals) to determine when and why performance goals predict exploitation of others’ knowledge. We hypothesized that: (i) when selective assessment is used (exams aiming to select a limited number of individuals), the link between performance goals and exploitation orientation is stronger; (ii) the reason why is that selective assessment fosters performance goals regulated by controlled reasons. Study 1 (N = 166) supported these hypotheses in a “real world” environment, comparing students enrolled in programs using non-selective versus selective assessment (but having a majority of common courses). Then, an experimental causal-chain-like design was used. In Study 2 (N = 187), presenting an intelligence test as selective (vs. [self-] evaluative) predicted controlled reasons connected to performance goals. In Study 3 (N = 192), inducing performance goals using controlling (vs. autonomy-supportive) language predicted exploitation orientation, indirectly impairing information sharing behaviors. The results contribute to the understanding of both the structural antecedents and interpersonal consequences of achievement goal complexes.
Achievement goals are self-regulatory commitments that provide direction to individuals as they i... more Achievement goals are self-regulatory commitments that provide direction to individuals as they interpret and respond to competence-relevant situations. Four types of achievement goals have been the primary focus of the literature: Masteryapproach goals (master a task; improve over time), performance-approach goals (outperform others), mastery-avoidance goals (not fall short of mastering a task; not decline over time), and performance-avoidance goals (not be outperformed by others).
Although competence-relevant activities (e.g., solving an academic problem) are often embedded in... more Although competence-relevant activities (e.g., solving an academic problem) are often embedded in interpersonal (e.g., classroom), hierarchical (e.g., teacher/pupils), and norm- /value-specific (e.g., culture) settings, the study of performance goals—the desire to demonstrate competence relative to others—has mostly been conducted at the intrapersonal level alone. Drawing on the transactional model of stress and coping, the circumplex model of interpersonal behaviors, as well as on the conflict elaboration theory, the first part of this thesis reveals the interpersonal consequences of performance goals on the regulation of a specific behavior, namely socio-cognitive conflict (i.e., a situation of confrontation with a disagreeing interactant): Performance-approach goals—the desire to outperform others— predicted a highly agentic (dominant) conflict regulation, that is, the validation of one’s point of view at the expense of that of the interactant (which we labeled competitive regulation); whereas performance-avoidance goals—the desire not to be outperformed by others— predicted a poorly agentic (submissive) conflict regulation, that is, the invalidation of one’s point of view to the benefit of that of the interactant (which we labeled protective regulation). Furthermore, both the aforementioned effects were found to increase when the interactant was presented as being superiorly (vs. equally) in competence. Drawing on the literature on group goal structure, as well as on research on socialization of supervisors-based values, the second part of this thesis reveals the interpersonal antecedents of performance-based goals endorsement, focusing—more specifically—on the role of group-supervisors in performance goals socialization: Supervisor’s performance-approach goals were positively associated with the emergence over time of subordinates’ performance-approach (especially when perceiving themselves as competent) and -avoidance goals (especially when perceiving themselves as incompetent). Furthermore, providing evidence that this phenomenon essentially reflects a socialization process, both the aforementioned effects were found to increase as subordinates’ in-group identification increased, and as supervisors’ adherence to dominant Western values (i.e., self-enhancement values) increased. Taken together, these results advocate the need to study performance goals in their social plenum, that is, adopting an interpersonal (i.e., studying the effects of goals between individuals), positional (i.e., between individuals from different social positions), and ideological (i.e., between individuals following specific norms and endorsing specific values) perspective.
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