Abstract A concept of symbolic self-completion states that people define themselves as musicians, athletes, etc. by use of indicators of attainment in those activity realms, such as possessing a prestige job, having extensive education, or whatever is recognized by others as indicating progress toward completing the self-definition. The self-completion idea postulates that when important symbols—indicators of self-definition—are lacking, the person will strive after further, alternative symbols of the self-definition. In the present research two modes of symbolizing completeness were studied: (1) attempting to influence others directly within the self-definitional area; or (2) simple self-descriptions of one's own performance, such that others would be exposed to those self-descriptions. Two correlational studies showed that the less education (Study 1) or on-the-job experience (Study 2) subjects had, the more they desired to influence others. Experimental subjects (Study 3) who were interrupted while writing a positive, self-descriptive statement manifested stronger influence attempts than did subjects who were allowed to finish. Finally, Study 4 examined self-descriptions as a self-symbolizing effort. Incompleteness was varied by means of a salience-of-past-teacher manipulation. When pressure was placed on subjects to characterize themselves negatively within their respective areas, those for whom a positive teacher was salient were the most willing to be negative. The interpretation of these findings assumes that influencing others, as well as positive self-descriptions, can further the individual's sense of having a complete self-definition.

Robert A. Wicklund

Peter M. Gollwitzer

Basic and Applied Social Psychology

Basic and Applied Social Psychology (BASP) emphasizes the publication of outstanding research articles, but also considers literature reviews, criticism, and methodological or theoretical statements spanning the entire range of social psychological issues. The journal will publish basic work in areas of social psychology that can be applied to societal problems, as well as direct application of social psychology to such problems. The journal provides a venue for a broad range of specialty areas, including research on legal and political issues, environmental influences on behavior, organizations, aging, medical and health-related outcomes, sexuality, education and learning, the effects of mass media, gender issues, and population problems.

Basic and Applied Social Psychology (BASP) emphasizes the publication of outstanding research articles while also considering literature reviews, critiques, and methodological or theoretical statements that span the entire range of social psychological issues. The journal publishes foundational work in social psychology that can be applied to societal problems, as well as direct applications of social psychology to such issues. It provides a venue for a broad range of specialty areas, including research on legal and political issues, environmental influences on behavior, organizations, aging, medical and health-related outcomes, sexuality, education and learning, the effects of mass media, gender issues, and population problems.

《Basic and Applied Social Psychology》期刊强调发表优秀的研究文章，同时也考虑文献综述、批评以及涵盖整个社会心理学问题范围的方法论或理论声明。该期刊将发表在社会心理学领域的基础研究，这些研究可以应用于社会问题，以及社会心理学对这些问题的直接应用。期刊为广泛的专业领域提供了一个平台，包括法律和政治问题的研究、环境对行为的影响、组织、老龄化、医疗和健康相关结果、性别问题、教育与学习、大众媒体的影响以及人口问题。

Category	Quartile
心理学	3
心理学, 心理学社会	4

Symbolic Self-Completion, Attempted Influence, and Self-Deprecation

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Journal Info

Category	Quartile
PSYCHOLOGY, SOCIAL	2