Self-Evaluation Processes

Four motives (self-assessment, self-enhancement, self-verification, and self-improvement) are hypothesized to guide self-evaluation. Results of an empirical investigation suggest that two sets of circumstances may commonly elicit all four motives: a situation of past threat or failure and anticipation of some important future threat or challenge. These findings suggest the need to develop an integrative approach to self-evaluation that specifies not only the distinctive circumstances in which each motive may be satisfied but also the ways multiple motives may be simultaneously satisfied. Evidence is presented to suggest that the four motives are satisfied by drawing on different information sources. Individual differences and domain under investigation are also found to moderate self-evaluation processes. Directions for future integrative efforts are suggested.