Motivational Development: Cross-Cultural Perspectives

Abstract

People differ in how well the consciously represented, explicit motives they pursue match their implicit motivational system. Such an alignment of explicit and implicit motives has beneficial effects on well-being. The article will first define implicit and explicit motives. Then, consequences resulting from an alignment of motivational systems are highlighted by reviewing research conducted with Euro-American samples as well as with a focus on cross-cultural research. We will demonstrate that implicit motives seem to universally impact the satisfaction derived from goal-pursuance. After summarizing findings on antecedents of motive congruence, an outlook on open questions in research is given.