Acts of emptying promote self‐focus: A perceived resource deficiency perspective

Abstract

No one likes feeling empty. When people feel empty they seek replenishment, which usually takes the form of increased self‐focused behaviors that provide value to the self and decreased other‐focused behaviors that provide value to others. This research demonstrates how exposure to the concept of emptiness by simply performing or observing acts of emptying (vs. filling or control) of a glass vase, coat pockets, a glass jar, or a duffle bag triggers the cognitive metaphor of resource deficiency. The resource deficiency metaphor in turn leads people to engage in self‐focused behaviors such as eating candy or planning a dream vacation and to disengage from other‐focused behaviors such as donating to charities or helping others.

Microfoundations of Organizational Paradox: The Problem Is How We Think about the Problem

“…Some studies find that when individuals experience resource deficiency they exert less effort and focus on retaining resources rather than performing their job (Levontin, Ein-Gar, & Lee, 2013). For example, research on auditing suggests that time pressure hinders performance and increases errors (Mcdaniel, 1990).…”

A Self‐Regulatory Model of Resource Scarcity

“…To understand how consumers respond to discrepancies in resource levels, we draw upon prior research that suggests that people can respond to discrepancies in current and desired states either directly or indirectly. For example, individuals with high self-esteem self-enhance by directly linking Mittal and Griskevicius (2014), Roux et al (2015), Tully et al (2015) Imagining growing up with resource scarcity Briers and Laporte (2013), Mehta and Zhu (2016) Listing what one cannot do without different resources Roux et al (2015) Perceived time scarcity Kurtz (2008) Performing or observing the act of emptying Levontin et al (2015) Induced hunger Aarøe and Petersen (2013), Briers et al (2006) Inman et al (1997), Lynn (1989), Verhallen and Robben (1994), Worchel et al (1975), Zhu and Ratner (2015) Time restrictions Brannon and Brock (2001a), Inman et al (1997), Suri, Kohli, and Monroe (2007) Scarcity appeals Bozzolo and Brock (1992) Laran and Salerno (2013) Lexical decision task Laran and Salerno (2013), Zhu and Ratner (2015) oneself with positive identities, whereas individuals with low self-esteem self-enhance by indirectly linking oneself with other individuals with positive identities (Brown, Collins, & Schmidt, 1988). In addition, guilt-laden individuals remedy their wrongdoings directly by engaging in reparative action, whereas shame-laden individuals respond to their wrongdoing indirectly by regulating their emotional responses (Duhachek, Agrawal, & Han, 2012;Tangney, Stuewig, & Mashek, 2007).…”

The warmth of our regrets: Managing regret through physiological regulation and consumption

“…This explains why regret has been found to promote goal persistence, while disappointment has been found to promote goal abandonment (Zeelenberg, van Dijk, Manstead, & van der Pligt, 2000). Individuals who regret are likely to set goals that are directed at improving one's self, similarly to how a person becomes self‐focused and seek replenishment when experiencing emptiness (Levontin, Ein‐Gar, & Lee, 2015).…”