The Role of Self-Awareness and Problem-Solving Orientation for the Instrumentality of Goal-Related Means

Abstract

Abstract. Successful goal striving hinges on the selection of instrumental means. The current research investigates individual differences in self-awareness as a predictor for means instrumentality. This effect should be mediated by the tendency of self-aware individuals to approach the process of goal pursuit in a way that is problem-solving-oriented. Four studies ( N1a = 123, N1b = 169, N2 = 353, N3 = 118) were conducted to explore the positive relation between self-awareness and means instrumentality via heightened levels of problem-solving orientation. Studies 1a and 1b found cross-sectional support for the relation between dispositional self-awareness and problem-solving orientation. Study 2 (preregistered) replicated this finding and provided experimental evidence for the hypothesized mediation model. Finally, Study 3 found longitudinal support that dispositional self-awareness and problem-solving orientation predict self-reported means instrumentality and, beyond this, participants’ objective exam grades. This research emphasizes the crucial role of individual differences in self-awareness for an important self-regulatory process, that is, the selection of instrumental means in personal goal pursuit.

How self-awareness is connected to less experience of action crises in personal goal pursuit

“…This is how these individuals might do so, but who are they? Previous findings (Kreibich et al, 2021 ) suggest that such an orientation is more likely for individuals with stronger self-awareness.…”

“…To replicate prior research on the relation between dispositional self-awareness and problem-solving orientation (Kreibich et al, 2021 ), and to gather first empirical evidence on how their relationship affects the experiencing of action crises, we assessed these variables as part of a larger daily diary study. 2 In this study, dancers had to report about a specific goal, namely the goal of making their training as effective as possible (referred to below as their “training goal”).…”

“…Specifically, individuals with strong emotion regulation capacities (i.e., action-oriented individuals) can overcome the negative emotions that result from difficulties in goal pursuit more readily and thus do not easily run into action crises (Herrmann & Brandstätter, 2013 ; Wolf et al, 2018 ). In addition to this affective reaction, the individual’s cognitive reaction to difficulties in goal pursuit is important as well (Kreibich et al, 2021 ), but to date not investigated in the realm of action crises research. Adopting a so-called problem-solving orientation when being confronted with difficulties, that is, an orientation towards the search for and selection of appropriate strategies and instrumental means, has been shown to be highly helpful in solving these difficulties (e.g., Lazarus & Folkman, 1984 ) and therefore in maintaining the goal’s attainability.…”

“…Thus, in order to reduce this goal discrepancy, means that are highly instrumental in overcoming these difficulties must be searched for and selected. It has been shown that self-aware individuals automatically adopt such a so-called problem-solving orientation when being confronted with goal-related difficulties (Kreibich et al, 2021 ). Such a problem-solving orientation is therefore an adaptive approach for dealing with difficulties as opposed to more maladaptive approaches, such as negative palliation or avoidance (Bodenmann, 2000 ; Lazarus & Folkman, 1984 ).…”

“…By searching for and selecting instrumental means of dealing with difficulties, self-aware individuals can take action to make further progress toward their goal (Kreibich et al, 2021 ). Their problem-solving-oriented way of handling goal-related difficulties therefore helps self-aware individuals to persist in the face of difficulties and to maintain the attainability of the goal and in turn might therefore reduce the experience of action crises (Bettschart et al, 2019 ; Brandstätter & Schüler, 2013 ; Ghassemi et al, 2017 ).…”