Symbolic Self-completion Theory Research Articles

Identity exploration of university students in the somatic and material domains: the mediating role of conspicuous consumption

PurposeThis paper is determined to examine the role of body image and materialism in predicting the identity exploration of university students when conspicuous consumption is a mediator variable.Design/methodology/approachThe study used a quantitative method. Data were collected from students of three federal universities in Nigeria. The sample size was 331. A self-report questionnaire was used to collect data and analysis was performed using the partial least squares structural equation modelling.FindingsFindings reveal that materialism has a negative association in predicting the identity exploration of students. At the same time, there was a significant full and partial mediating effect of conspicuous consumption on the relationship between body image and materialism on identity exploration, respectively.Research limitations/implicationsThe study provides valuable information for parents in understanding how conspicuous consumption may influence their children’s identity formation. The findings can also be helpful for educators in the design of discussions and interventions for students on the social-psychological antecedents of conspicuous consumption and identity exploration. Government and regulatory agencies can use the study’s findings to shape student financial literacy and consumer protection policies.Originality/valueThis study makes both theoretical and methodological contributions to the existing literature. It provided concrete empirical evidence establishing a subtle connection between the symbolic self-completion theory and the identity status paradigm. It is also amongst the first single research conducted within the scope of these two theories in the Nigerian higher education context.

The double-edged sword effect of materialism on energy saving behaviors

Although studies have indicated contradicting results regarding the relationship between materialism and environmental behaviors, knowledge on how these inconsistencies transpire remains limited. This paper aims to construct a model to understand the double-edged sword effect of materialism on two specific types of energy saving behaviors. On the basis of symbolic self-completion theory and social cognitive theory, we examine the mediation role of self-enhancement motivation and the moderation role of extravagant atmosphere. Survey results from 565 citizens in China demonstrate that materialism is positively related to energy efficiency purchase and negatively related to energy curtailment behavior through self-enhancement motivation. Furthermore, extravagant atmosphere reinforces the positive connection between materialism and self-enhancement motivation and further moderates the indirect effect of materialism on energy efficiency purchase and energy curtailment behavior. Our conclusions shed light on the theoretical and managerial implications for literature about materialism and environmental behaviors.

An Experimental Study of Cultural Identity Goal Striving in German–Turkish Biculturals

Abstract. We explore motivational processes stemming from bicultural identity goals of being Turkish and being German by investigating the effect of identity goal incompleteness versus completeness in the two identity goals on the use of multifinal means to self-symbolize German–Turkish cultural identity goals. Individuals incomplete in either or both identity goals were more likely than individuals complete in both identity goals to engage in multifinal self-symbolizing via social media activity (Experiment 1) and helping (Experiment 2). Incompleteness regarding the two identity goals had an additive effect on effort and elicited distinct patterns of subjectively experienced incompleteness for German and Turkish cultural identity goals (Experiment 2). These findings offer new insights relevant for symbolic self-completion theory and goal systems theory.

How employment relationship types influence employee work outcomes: The role of need for status and vigor

The use of temporary employment has increased in China, but few studies to date have analyzed the outcomes of the employment relationship type (permanent vs. temporary) from the perspective of psychological compensation. In this study, we examine the moderating effect of employees’ need for status on their responses to an organization’s permanent versus temporary employment relationship practices. Based on symbolic self-completion theory, we hypothesize that, compared to those with a permanent employment relationship, employees with a temporary employment relationship exhibit higher levels of vigor when they have a higher (vs. lower) need for status. Furthermore, we hypothesize that higher levels of vigor motivate employees to work better and voice more. A survey study conducted in China with 303 employees and their managers from governmental organizations and state-owned enterprises provides support for these hypotheses. The paper concludes with a discussion of theoretical and practical implications.

Symbolic Product Superiority in the Neural Salience of Compensatory Consumption Behavior.

To cope with self-threat being induced by personal setbacks in daily life, compensatory consumption, especially on symbolic product, has been found to do valuable help to resolve discrepancies between ideal and actual self-concept. Conforming to symbolic self-completion theory, the current study adopted event-related potentials to explore the objective information processing stages in self-concept-impaired status (the defeat group) on a neural level. The behavioral results replicated previous findings that the defeat group gained stronger purchase intention for symbolic products than utilitarian products. The electrophysiological data demonstrated that perceptual difficulties for products in preliminary stage (N1) were steady among conditions, and after that, information processing separation emerged. In contrast to the individuals with a draw experience, those with a defeat experience raised highly focused attention (P2) and eager expectation (N2) for products, especially for symbolic ones. Meanwhile, symbolic (vs. utilitarian) products also evoked a higher emotional arousal level and slowed the diminishment of involved attentional resource (late positive potential) at late cognitive processing stage. Taken together, the sequential integration of multiple neural indicators contributes to elucidating the processing stages of compensatory consumption behavior.

Self-congruence is not everything for a brand: initial evidence supporting the relevance of identity cultivation in a college student role-identity context

Theoretical understanding of the linkage between brands and specific aspects of self remains incomplete despite a large body of relevant research. This report develops the premise of specific aspects of self (role-identities) influencing brand preferences and reports relevant effects. Findings indicate that brands apparently “similar” to one of the consumer’s role-identities may not necessarily be those with the highest indicated levels of preference. An established individual within an identity domain may indicate lower levels of preference for a brand that he/she strongly associates with this identity. Essentially, the research reported highlights the possibility of changes in brand preferences due to role-identity dynamics. Alignment between self and brand is a net positive, but may not hold at the level of specific self-concept aspects such as a role-identity. This premise is consistent with Identity Theory and Symbolic Self-Completion Theory while highlighting a disconnection between user imagery and brand preferences.

Tenants’ Decision to or not to Lease Green & Non-green Buildings: A Conceptual Framework

Understanding the key features driving tenants’ decision to or not to lease green and non-green buildings is important for building owners and developers- especially in today's era of sustainable development. Although evidence shown that green buildings could fetch a rental price premium over non-green buildings, it is not known as to what drives tenants’ leasing decision. In addressing this gap, the aim of this study is to develop a conceptual framework for explaining tenants’ leasing decision for green and non-green buildings. More specifically, it attempts to (1) identify key building features of green and non-green buildings, and external influences that could affect tenants’ decision; and (2) review relevant theories underpinning tenants’ behaviours. The research was conducted by using literature survey on related publications, including, but not limited to, books, journal articles, and market and government research reports. The review shows that building features could be broadly classified into: instrumental (i.e. tangible) and symbolic (i.e. non-tangible) aspects and that these two aspects could collectively influence tenants’ decision to lease and pay the price premium for green over non-green buildings. In particular, tenants’ decision on leasing green buildings might not be only driven by mandatory regulations or sustainability features but also by expectations to fulfil different, possibly conflicting, values, and willingness to portray their identity. To probe this, this conceptual framework integrates four different theories; Expectation-value theory, Push-pull theory, Symbolic self-completion theory, and Theory of bounded rationality. This framework will be tested in subsequent stages of the research project.

Deeper leisure involvement as a coping resource in a stigmatized leisure context

Although leisure involvement can be a resource for coping with stigmatization, some forms of leisure are themselves stigmatized. One such stigmatized leisure context is the furry fandom, a diverse group of people that create anthropomorphic animal identities. Drawing on the minority stress model and symbolic self-completion theory, we examined survey responses of 3473 members of online furry communities. Greater involvement in the furry community was associated with higher levels of well-being. This association was statistically explained by greater disclosure of furry identity and an indirect path through feelings of self-acceptance and affiliation with the furry fandom linked to greater disclosure of furry identity. Results suggest how deeper leisure involvement helps to counteract minority stress and cope with a stigmatized leisure identity.

A framework to investigate money attitudes and materialism

Purpose and/or objectives: This paper presents a framework to investigate money attitudes and materialistic values. The conceptualization of the framework is guided by a critical review of literature. The intention is to provide a framework that will be useful to examine how various childhood family experiences influence later-life consumption orientations. Problem investigated: The differences in family resources represent one of the biggest distinctions between an intact and a disrupted family. The underlining question is whether children raised in disrupted families will experience lower levels of family resources (economic and emotional) and find the experience stressful. If so, will these experiences influence them to adopt conservative money attitudes and be less materialistic or will they symbolically value money and be more materialistic? Design/methodology/approach: The development of a framework requires a critical review of secondary sources. The literature review is based on theories that provide an explanation of how childhood family experiences can affect the development of materialistic values and money attitudes. The secondary sources require careful scrutiny of journal articles, dissertations and essays in a number of libraries to provide more scholarly insight into the concepts and to assist in the conceptualisation of the framework. Findings and/or implications: Four main theories were found useful in conceptualizing the framework. They are Ryan and Deci's (2000) self-determination theory, Maslow's (1943) human need theory, Wicklund and Gollwitzer's (1982) symbolic self-completion theory and the life course theory contextualized by Moschis (2007). However, in line with Moschis' (2007) realization, the perspectives of the life course theory were found to be multi-disciplinary, multi-theoretical and thus innovative. They would therefore form the main theoretical guide for the design of the framework. Originality and/or value of the research: The paper provides a framework to investigate the moderating effect that money attitudes can have on how childhood family experiences influence later-life materialistic values. This proposed framework may form the building blocks for a number of empirical studies especially as the life course approach in studying consumption orientations is innovative and multidisciplinary. Conclusion: The framework includes as independent variable, childhood family structure. Depended variables are perceived level of family resources, stress and materialistic values. Money attitudes are regarded as moderating variables.

Group-Identity Completion and the Symbolic Value of Property

Building on symbolic self-completion theory, we conceptualize group identity as a goal toward which group members strive, using material symbols of that identity. We report four studies showing that the value placed on such material symbols (e.g., a building) depends on commitment to group identity, the extent to which a symbol can be used to represent in-group identity, and situational variability in goal strength induced through group-identity affirmation or threat. Our results suggest that property derives value from its capacity to serve as an effective means in the pursuit of group-identity goals. Implications for intergroup conflict are discussed.

Objects, decision considerations and self-image in men's and women's impulse purchases

Current theories in economics, marketing, and psychology fail to explain underlying reasons for impulse buying and, crucially, why certain goods (e.g., clothes) are bought impulsively more than others (e.g., basic kitchen equipment). We propose and examine a social psychological model, which predicts that people impulse buy to acquire material symbols of personal and social identity. We predict that consumers will differ systematically in the goods they buy on impulse, and in their reasons for doing so, depending on their attitudes towards shopping, and also along important social categories, such as gender. Specifically, our theoretical model - drawing on a social constructionist model of material possessions (e.g., Dittmar, 1992) and symbolic self-completion theory (e.g. Wicklund and Gollwitzer, 1982) - leads to three sets of hypotheses: (i) some consumer durables are more likely to be bought on impulse than others, and there may be gender differences in object choices, (ii) differences will emerge in the buying considerations (e.g., functional, emotional, symbolic) that are used for impulse and planned buying, and (iii) magnitude of self-discrepancies will predict relative impulse buying frequency and the buying considerations used, if the individual uses consumption as a self-completion strategy. These predictions were expected to hold particularly strongly for individuals high in compulsive shopping tendencies. We test our model in a questionnaire study with a sample of British consumers ( n = 61). The results lend support to all three sets of hypotheses. The implications of these findings are discussed with respect to economic and consumer theory, and the treatment offered to the increasing number of ‘addicted’ shoppers.

Social Identity Notions and Theories

According to Farsides (1993), Schiffmann and Wicklund's (1992) criticism of social identity theory (Tajfel & Turner, 1979, 1986) is untenable. In particular, their claim that social identity theory should be abandoned in favour of Tesser's (1980, 1986) self-evaluation maintenance model or Wicklund and Gollwitzer's (1981, 1982) symbolic self-completion theory is rejected by Farsides. In the reply to Farsides, it is shown that his argumentation is not conclusive. In the same vein, Schiffmann and Wicklund's (1992) claim to abandon social identity notions is pursued. Extra-theoretical reasons underlying adherence to these notions are discussed, and a direction for investigating social identity processes more productively is proposed.

Admission of failure and symbolic self-completion: Extending Lewinian theory.

The present research examined the dynamic relation between two self-relevant actions, one self-supportive and the other self-abasing. These self-relevant actions were undertaken by subjects within the context of particular self-definitions (e.g., journalist, guitarist) to which subjects were actively committed. In the first experiment, subjects were offered an opportunity to compose a supportive selfdescriptive essay to be seen later by others. Half of the subjects wrote to completion, while the others were interrupted. Subsequently, in a different context, all subjects were asked to list mistakes they had made previously in the realm of their respective self-definitions. Uninterrupted subjects admitted more readily to mistakes than did interrupted subjects. In the second experiment, the extent of subjects' self-abasement became the independent variable. Following that manipulation, all subjects were given 15 minutes to write a supportive self-descriptive essay. Subjects who had been induced to be self-abasing were the least likely to interrupt themselves while writing the essay. The results of both studies are interpreted within the framework of symbolic self-completion theory (Wicklund & Gollwitzer, 1981, in press).