Intrinsic motivation and the effects of self- consciousness, self-awareness, and ego- involvement: An investigation of internally controlling styles

This study explored the relationships among dispositional self-consciousness, situationally induced-states of self-awareness, ego-mvolvement, and intrinsic motivation Cognitive evaluation theory, as applied to both the interpersonal and intrapersonal spheres, was used as the basis for making predictions about the effects of various types of self-focus Public selfconsciousness, social anxiety, video surveillance and mirror manipulations of self-awareness, and induced ego-involvement were predicted and found to have negative effects on intrinsic motivation since all were hypothesized to involve controlling forms of regulation In contrast, dispositional pnvate self-consciousness and a no-self-focus condition were both found to be unrelated to intrinsic motivation The relationship among these constructs and manipulations was discussed in the context of both Carver and Scheier's (1981) control theory and Deci and Ryan's (1985) motivation theory Recent theory and research on self-awareness, stimulated bv the initial findings of Duval and Wicklund (1972), has suggested that qualitatively distinct styles of attention and consciousness can be involved in the ongoing process of self-regulation (Carver & Scheier, 1981) In particular, Fenigstein, Scheier, and Buss (1975) have distinguished between private self-consciousness and pubhc selfconsciousness as two independent, but not necessarily exclusive, types of attentional focus with important behavioral, cognitive, and affective implications for regulatory processes Pnvate self-consciousness refers to the tendency to be aware of one's thoughts. This research was supported by Research Grant BSN-8018628 from the National Science Foundation The authors are grateful to the following persons who helped this project to reach fruition James Connell Edward Deci, Paul Tero, Shirlev Tracey We are also grateful for the experimental assistance of Margot Cohen Scott Cohen, Loren Feldman, and Darrell Mazlish Thanks also to Eileen Plant and Miriam Gale Requests for reprints should be sent to Richard M Ryan, Department of Psychology, Uniyersity of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14627 Journal of Personality 53 3, September 1985 Copyright © 1985 by Duke University