Psychological Threat and Extrinsic Goal Striving, Reaction Paper Example

The assignment is based on the article “Psychological Threat and Extrinsic Goal Striving” which was is written by Kennon M. Sheldon and Tim Kasser and published in Motivation and Emotion Journal in 2008. The main problems which the author is addressing are on whether there is on Psychological threats which arose when one is aiming on either Extrinsic or Intrinsic goals.

The problems being addressed in the research done the authors they noted that most people end up to endorse intrinsic goals for community, intimacy and growth more that extrinsic goals which are meant to achieve popularity, money and appearance. However, most some people end up over emphasizing extrinsic goals to improve on their well being. The author derived his arguments from three different studies which they used to achieve it. They took in to considerations of the study on interpersonal threat, economic threat and existential threat in each of the study the authors were able to analyze possible reasons which makes threat breeds extrinsic orientations.

The Author’s arguments and points are based on how most of the goals would be arranged in either being extrinsic or intrinsic. The goals which are taken in to considerations which determines on either one is inclined more to be intrinsic or extrinsic is based on goals such as; affiliation, self acceptance and community feelings. These goals have been categorized as being intrinsic given the focus of the pursuits which are inherent rewarded. They further argue that the pursuits are mainly inherent rewarding and tend to satisfy innate psychological needs such as relatedness, competence and autonomy.

The Assumptions which the author did are that he assumed the findings done the study which represented a small population applies to all environment and instances which is not the case. Bing Intrinsic and extrinsic is also affected by cultural background of someone which was not put in to considerations.

The evidence presented are availability of the three study which they did interpersonal threat, economic threat and existential threat and their findings. The research revealed that goal selection would be more extrinsic and less intrinsic if people are experiencing psychological threats.

The research which was done had both strengths and weakness on the findings presented the main strength of the findings are that the research which was done was diversified in study of how threat affects in relation to interpersonal, economic and existential. The information provided by the research is consistent with prior correlational findings they have gone beyond to explain the relation of casual connection between goal reports and treat using experimental methodology for the three studies which has made it to be understood even much better. However, the design of the study which was used does not allow documentation of the actual psychic processes which are responsible for the actual results.

The possible counter arguments which would be discussed are that another explanation of the same would be used to suggest that when people are threatened individuals orient towards aims evolutionarily which are mainly driven by likelihood o immediate survival during difficult times. This would be supported by the arguments that sufficient resources, image and status are greatly helpful in short term and would eventually detract from well-being and happiness.

Importance of the arguments or the problem under review is that it provides an insight on what people does when they are threatened existentially, economically or interpersonally. This will assists on deciding why they orient more towards goals such as popularity, financial success and image or even less towards affiliation, community and contribution.

References

Sheldon, K & Kasser, T. (2008). Psychological Threat and Extrinsic Goal Striving. Motiv Emot (2008) 32:37–45