Psycho-economic aspiration and subjective well-being

Abstract

Purpose Previous research using the Aspiration Index (AI) suggests that intrinsic goals are positively, but extrinsic/materialistic goals are negatively associated with subjective well-being (SWB). The purpose of this paper is to extend the scope of previous research by exploring the pursuit of different goals in conjunction with SWB in a country with a culture mixing western and traditional values. Several hypotheses regarding the effects of extrinsic, intrinsic, hedonic, and self-transcendent values on SWB were tested. Design/methodology/approach An extended AI survey was conducted among randomly selected cross-sectional sample of 878 Turkish adults in Istanbul. The survey data were analyzed to explore the relationship between 14 aspiration domains and SWB using both correlation coefficients and several different regression models. Findings The study confirms the basic assumptions of the AI research in a Muslim society with a hybrid culture of materialistic and spiritual aspirations. The study found weak supporting evidence for the contribution of two newly added domains (i.e. aesthetic appreciation as well as honesty and fairness) to SWB, whereas the evidence for the positive contribution of intellectual life was overwhelming. Paradoxically, although the evidence from both correlation and regression coefficients supported a positive relationship between household income and SWB, after dividing the sample into two groups based on their income level, the low-income earners turned out to have relatively higher life satisfaction, holding everything else constant. More importantly, the study reveals that the impact of materialistic aspirations on SWB is still negative even if they are pursued in a hybrid culture. Research limitations/implications The study included three new domains in the conventional AI model. Although the findings confirmed the importance of two domains, it is important that they be replicated in other studies, particularly in different cultural settings. Originality/value This study makes a significant contribution in terms of testing the effect of materialist and spiritual values on SWB in a Muslim country.

Motivational Drivers of Extensive Work Effort: Are Long Hours Always Detrimental to Well‐being?

“…This mimetic social contagion phenomenon (Brett and Stroh 2003) contributes to the transmission of extensive work effort and its escalation (Latané 2000). Such work is extrinsically motivated because workers engage in long work hours to conform to social pressure, to avoid feelings of guilt, or to achieve social praise (Aydin 2017; Kandel and Lazear 1992; Kasser and Ryan 2001).…”

“…Intrinsically driven extensive work effort is endogenously attributed, its causes being internal to the person, such as being passionate about tasks or having the will to perform a better job (Golden 2009). According to Ryan and Deci (2000a: 70) intrinsic motivation is the “tendency to seek out novelty and challenges, to extend and exercise one’s capacities, to explore, and to learn.” When intrinsically motivated, the behavior of working long hours arises from individuals’ inherent inclination to experiment and to learn for its own sake (work effort for self‐improvement), or to develop emotional affiliation and community feeling (work effort for commitment; Aydin 2017).…”

“…Extrinsically driven work effort and well-being. Extrinsically driven work effort is exogenously attributed, that is, it is seen as an instrument to achieve external objectives (e.g., financial success, image) or avoid sanctions (Aydin 2017;Kasser and Ryan 2001). The literature recounts four drivers of extensive work effort that can be characterized as extrinsic: the use of work hours as a signaling device (Anger 2008), the existence of a social contagion (Latan e 2000), deferred payment (Bratti and Staffolani 2007), and job demands (Green 2006).…”