Predicting Affect from Global Self-discrepancies: The Dual Role of the Undesired Self

Abstract

According to self-discrepancy theory (SDT; Higgins, Klein & Strauman, 1985), discrepancy between the actual and ideal selves predicts feelings of dejection, and discrepancy between the actual and ought selves predicts feelings of agitation. Carver, Lawrence, and Scheier (1999) recently reported that discrepancy between the actual and feared selves moderates SDT-predicted relationships. In a conceptual replication of Carver et al.'s study, we employed a new direct assessment measure of ideal, ought, and undesired self-discrepancies that yielded similar results. In addition to strongly predicting all five affect domains included in Carver et al.'s study, undesired self-discrepancy operated as a moderator such that ought discrepancy predicted anxiety only for those relatively far from their worst. Results suggest that decreased self-regulatory significance (Boldero & Francis, 2000; Higgins, 1999) of ought self-discrepancy as a guide for anxiety may accompany feeling close to one's worst. Findings are discussed and the new measure is evaluated in terms of extension of the self-discrepancy literature.