Fundamental motivations of the self

Our behavior and the way we process information about ourselves are guided by several fundamental motivations related to the self.

These motivations influence how we seek knowledge about who we are and how we maintain a consistent and positive self-image.

Self-Assessment: The Search for Truth

The self-assessment motivation refers to the desire to gain accurate and objective knowledge about oneself, including one's abilities, weaknesses, traits, and values.

People motivated by self-assessment seek diagnostic information that allows them to better understand themselves, even if that information is not always flattering.

This search for the truth about oneself is fundamental for realistic decision-making and personal growth, since accurate self-knowledge allows one to identify areas for improvement and capitalize on strengths.

Self-Enhancement: The Desire to Feel Good

Self-enhancement motivation is the tendency to seek and maintain a positive view of oneself.

It involves a desire to protect or enhance one's self-esteem, often leading people to focus on their positive qualities, to attribute successes to internal factors and failures to external factors (self-serving bias), and to compare themselves favorably with others.

While this motivation can be adaptive in protecting emotional well-being, excessive self-enhancement can lead to a distorted view of reality and difficulties recognizing and learning from mistakes.

Self-Verification: The Search for Coherence

Self-verification motivation refers to the desire to confirm one's pre-existing beliefs about oneself—that is, to maintain a stable and coherent self-concept.

People seek to interact with others who see them the same way they see themselves, even if those self-perceptions are negative.

For example, a person who considers themselves shy may seek out situations or interact with people that confirm that shyness, as this provides a sense of predictability and consistency in their self-image.

This need for consistency can sometimes conflict with the desire for self-enhancement, especially if beliefs about oneself are negative but strongly held.

These three motivations (self-evaluation, self-enhancement, and self-verification) often coexist and can influence our behavior in complex ways, depending on the situation and individual priorities.