Goal Fusion: The Integration of Goals Within the Self-Concept

Burkley, Edward; Curtis, Jessica; Burkley, Melissa; Hatvany, T

doi:10.1080/15298868.2014.1000959

Cited by 20 publications

(22 citation statements)

References 61 publications

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“…At first blush, this may seem counterintuitive, but this pattern is consistent with self-verification theory which suggests that people prefer feedback that is consistent with their self-concept, even when that feedback is negative (Swann Jr., Griffin Jr., Predmore, & Gaines, 1987). FIGURE 1 Self-concept clarity as a function of goal fusion and goal feedback (Burkley et al, 2015). Goal fusion values were plotted at the lowest and highest values on the goal fusion scale.…”

Section: Positive Consequencessupporting

confidence: 63%

“…But the commitment that results from fusion extends beyond the interpersonal realm. Burkley et al () found evidence of greater commitment to goals one was highly fused with. Using both correlational and longitudinal methods, they found their goal fusion measure significantly predicted goal‐relevant cognitions, behaviors, and achievement.…”

Section: Consequences Of Fusionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Self‐concept clarity as a function of goal fusion and goal feedback (Burkley et al, ). Goal fusion values were plotted at the lowest and highest values on the goal fusion scale.…”

Section: Consequences Of Fusionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A wealth of research has shown that single-item pictorial measures are an effective way to evaluate fusion. Such work has examined fusion with one's goals (Burkley et al, 2015), romantic partners (Aron et al, 1992;Gächter, Starmer, & Tufano, 2015), acquaintances (Gächter et al, 2015), groups, and communities (Mashek, Stuewig, Furukawa, & Tangney, 2006;Schubert & Otten, 2002;Swann Jr. et al, 2009;Tropp & Wright, 2001;Uleman, Rhee, Bardoliwalla, Semin, & Toyama, 2000). Collectively, these measures have demonstrated both good test-retest reliability (Aron et al, 1992;Burkley et al, 2015) and good predictive validity (e.g., Agnew et al, 1998;Aron & McLaughlin-Volpe, 2001;Burkley et al, 2015;Gächter et al, 2015;Swann Jr. et al, 2009).…”

Section: Figure 2 Examples Of Fusion Measuresmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Becoming part of me: Examining when objects, thoughts, goals, and people become fused with the self‐concept

Hatvany

Burkley

Curtis

2017

Social & Personality Psych

Self Cite

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Fusion refers to the sense that a construct is integrated into the self-concept. When a person feels fused with a construct, there is a perceived "oneness" with the construct, and as a result, the construct is treated as an extension of the self. This concept of fusion has been explored across a wide range of constructs and within a number of subfields in psychology. The goal of this article is to provide a comprehensive view of the fusion process and to connect these disparate areas of literature underneath a single unifying theme. Specifically, we focus on five constructs that researchers have explored in terms of fusion: objects, thoughts, goals, significant others, and groups. In our review, we discuss the ways that fusion is typically measured and highlight the consequences that occur as a result of such fusion. We conclude by highlighting questions that remain unanswered and suggest potential areas of future development.Fusion refers to the sense that a construct is integrated into the self-concept. Combat veterans are good examples of individuals who fuse with those around them and their roles in combat. Their self-concept changes to include those roles and their comrades-in-arms. This fusion likely serves as a major source of motivation and morale and is likely beneficial to their survival. However, upon returning to civilian life, this fusion can make adjusting difficult. Without these parts of their self-concept, they may feel as if they have lost something of themselves. For other individuals, objects, thoughts, goals, and other people can become a part of their self-concept. This fusion with the self-concept can have a significant impact on their lives.The idea that a construct can become integrated, or fused, with the self-concept is not new to psychology. James (1890, p. 291) was one of the first to point out this integration of outside constructs with the self, stating, "It is clear that between what a man calls me and what he simply calls mine the line is difficult to draw." Similarly, Aron and Aron (1997) suggested that the more one perceives a construct as fused, the more the construct is included within the knowledge structures of the self. This means that when a particular construct is highly fused, it no longer is something the person simply does, wears, or thinks. Rather, it is a part of who they are. Thus, a person low in fusion with running "goes running," but a person high in fusion with running "is a runner." What constructs can become fused within the self-concept? Most obvious are constructs pertaining to our physical body (e.g., skin and fingers; see Allport, 1955;Belk, 1988;Burris & Rempel, 2004;James, 1890;Prelinger, 1959). We perceive parts of our body as pieces of our self. If we lose a finger or a limb, we lose a part of our self, but the overall self is still present. Extensions of the physical body can also be perceived as parts of our self, including our shadows or the warmth produced by our bodies (Horwicz, 1872). But fusion extends far beyond our physical form.In t...

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Section: Positive Consequencessupporting

confidence: 63%

Section: Consequences Of Fusionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Self‐concept clarity as a function of goal fusion and goal feedback (Burkley et al, ). Goal fusion values were plotted at the lowest and highest values on the goal fusion scale.…”

Section: Consequences Of Fusionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Figure 2 Examples Of Fusion Measuresmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Becoming part of me: Examining when objects, thoughts, goals, and people become fused with the self‐concept

Hatvany

Burkley

Curtis

2017

Social & Personality Psych

Self Cite

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“…Although the present study demonstrated a positive feedback loop between grit and self‐concept clarity, other forms of influence can be envisioned and are worthy of investigation. There is suggestive evidence, for example, that whether grit positively or negatively relates to clarity depends on goal fusion —the degree to which a goal is integrated with a person's self‐concept (Burkley, Curtis, Burkley, & Hatvany, ). When goal fusion is high, success feedback and failure feedback regarding goal attainment correspond with increases and decreases in clarity, respectively.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Reciprocal feedback between self‐concept and goal pursuit in daily life

Wong

Vallacher

2017

Journal of Personality

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The results are the first to indicate the existence of reinforcing feedback loops between self-concept clarity and grit, such that fluctuations in the clarity of self-knowledge are associated with fluctuations in goal resolve, and vice versa. Discussion centers on the implications of these results for the functional link between mind and action and on the study's heuristic value for subsequent research.

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