The proposed research investigates how distance from a situation (temporal, spatial, and social) affects the role of personal goals in guiding individuals' responses to the situation. It is proposed that any kind of distance from a situation increases the likelihood that the situation will be construed in terms of individuals' primary goals than in terms of their secondary goals. Primary goals are therefore more likely to guide responses to distant than proximal situations, whereas secondary goals are more likely to guide responses to proximal than distant situations. The proposed research investigates the interrelations among psychological distance dimensions and the effects of these dimensions on (1) construal of situations, (2) commitment to one's primary goals, (3) task performance and retrospective evaluations, (4) self-control, and (5) the resolution of interpersonal conflict. If the predictions for the proposed studies are confirmed, they would suggest that from a psychologically distant perspective individuals are better able to focus on their core values and express their priorities in behavior. Individuals' sense of self-determination and psychological well-being depends on their ability to make choices that express their self-identity. The predicted results would suggest that it may be possible to increase the likelihood of such choices by making individuals think of their choice alternatives from a psychologically distant perspective. ? ?

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01MH059030-09
Application #
7394454
Study Section
Social Psychology, Personality and Interpersonal Processes Study Section (SPIP)
Program Officer
Simmons, Janine M
Project Start
1999-06-15
Project End
2010-03-31
Budget Start
2008-04-01
Budget End
2009-03-31
Support Year
9
Fiscal Year
2008
Total Cost
$213,950
Indirect Cost
Name
New York University
Department
Psychology
Type
Other Domestic Higher Education
DUNS #
041968306
City
New York
State
NY
Country
United States
Zip Code
10012
Nussinson, Ravit; Häfner, Michael; Seibt, Beate et al. (2012) Approach/Avoidance Orientations Affect Self-Construal and Identification with In-group. Self Identity 11:255-272
Maglio, Sam J; Trope, Yaacov (2012) Disembodiment: abstract construal attenuates the influence of contextual bodily state in judgment. J Exp Psychol Gen 141:211-6
Stephan, Elena; Liberman, Nira; Trope, Yaacov (2011) The effects of time perspective and level of construal on social distance. J Exp Soc Psychol 47:397-402
Kareev, Yaakov; Trope, Yaacov (2011) Correct acceptance weighs more than correct rejection: a decision bias induced by question framing. Psychon Bull Rev 18:103-9
Trope, Yaacov; Liberman, Nira (2010) Construal-level theory of psychological distance. Psychol Rev 117:440-63
Stephan, Elena; Liberman, Nira; Trope, Yaacov (2010) Politeness and psychological distance: a construal level perspective. J Pers Soc Psychol 98:268-80
Ledgerwood, Alison; Trope, Yaacov; Chaiken, Shelly (2010) Flexibility now, consistency later: psychological distance and construal shape evaluative responding. J Pers Soc Psychol 99:32-51
Kyung, Ellie J; Menon, Geeta; Trope, Yaacov (2010) Reconstruction of things past: Why do some memories feel so close and others so far away? J Exp Soc Psychol 46:217-220
Rim, Soyon; Uleman, James S; Trope, Yaacov (2009) Spontaneous trait inference and construal level theory: Psychological distance increases nonconscious trait thinking. J Exp Soc Psychol 45:1088-1097
Wakslak, Cheryl J; Trope, Yaacov (2009) Cognitive consequences of affirming the self: The relationship between self-affirmation and object construal. J Exp Soc Psychol 45:927-932

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