Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://hdl.handle.net/1959.3/34448

Title

The stability of work, self and interpersonal goals in young women and men

Author(s)

Langan-Fox, Janice

Abstract

An investigation was made into the stability of important self-described goals of young men and women aged 18 to 20 years old using the results of analyses of two goal assessments having an intervening period of 5 mnths. A theoretical perspective was adopted which assumed goals are 'future selves' or 'possible selves', thus Iinking the self concept to motivation. An adapted version of Nuttin's Motivational Content Analysis (1985) was used to assess individual goals. It was hypothesized that women may have greater instability of self concept and 'possible selves' than men. Findings of the study showed the contrary, and revealed that men and women had similarly stable goals over time. Results are compared to other research on the self concept and to the problems of self concept measurement.

Publication type

Journal article

Source

European Journal of Social Psychology, Vol. 21, no. 5 (1991), p. 419-428

Publication year

1991

Keyword(s)

Gender differences;  Goals;  Interpersonal interaction;  Motivation;  Occupational aspirations;  Self concept;  Sex differences

Publisher

John Wiley & Sons

ISSN

0046-2772

Copyright

Copyright © 1991 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Publisher does not officially support author/institution self-archiving of either the postprint (final, revised accepted draft) or published version of full text.

Additional information

Grateful acknowledgement is given to the Department of Employment, Education and Training who gave financial support to the present project.

Peer reviewed