Regulatory Focus and Illusions of Control

Thomas A. Langens

65 citations0/0 files storedPersonality and Social Psychology Bulletin

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Behavioral Health and Interventions Decision-Making and Behavioral Economics Death Anxiety and Social Exclusion

Abstract

Regulatory focus theory (Higgins, 1997, 1998) suggests that individuals in a promotion focus emphasize a congruence between an action and an intended outcome, which may foster illusions of control (IOC) even in the absence of an objective relationship between action and outcome. Individuals in a prevention focus should demonstrate a reverse bias that buffers against the development of IOC. Three studies were conducted to test this hypothesis, which either measured chronic individual differences in regulatory focus (Study 1) or manipulated regulatory focus (Studies 2 and 3). All studies found evidence that promotion-focused individuals report higher IOC concerning an uncontrollable outcome than prevention-focused individuals. In addition, Study 3 showed that IOC developed in a promotion focus buffer against the emotional consequences of failure. The results suggest that IOC evolve in a way that increases regulatory fit (Higgins, 2000).

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References

1988Illusion and well-being: A social psychological perspective on mental health.1997Beyond pleasure and pain.1975The illusion of control.1998Promotion and Prevention: Regulatory Focus as A Motivational Principle 2000Making a good decision: Value from fit.1997Regulatory Focus and Strategic Inclinations: Promotion and Prevention in Decision-Making 1979Judgment of contingency in depressed and nondepressed students: Sadder but wiser?2001The effects of promotion and prevention cues on creativity.

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