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The belief that difficulties can lead to growth in relationships, or growth belief, has consequences for relationships (e.g., C. R. Knee, 1998). But what predicts change in this belief? The current study hypothesized that compassionate goals to support others (J. Crocker & A. Canevello, 2008) predict increased growth belief through increased need satisfaction. In Study 1, 199 college freshmen reported their friendship growth belief and goals. In Study 2, 65 roommate pairs reported their roommate growth belief, goals, and need satisfaction. Across studies, compassionate goals predicted increased growth belief. In Study 2, goals predicted increased perceived mutual need satisfaction, which predicted increased growth belief. Additionally, partners' compassionate goals predicted actors' increased growth belief. Results suggest that growth beliefs are shaped by goals—own and others'.

AbstractThe presidential campaign of Barack Obama was remarkable for the millions of volunteers and donors it inspired. In this article, we argue that the Obama campaign was inspirational because it communicated an ecosystem perspective—a perspective in which people care about something larger than the self. We describe the characteristics of ecosystem perspectives revealed in a program of social psychological research and how these characteristics translate to ecosystem leadership. We then consider Obama's speeches and actions at critical moments in the campaign that suggest to us an ecosystem perspective.

As women and minorities enter occupations traditionally closed to them, they are increasingly likely to occupy positions of solo status (i.e., to be either the only member or one of a small number of their sex or ethnic group in a work situation). In this article, we consider the consequences of having solo status. We report the results of an experiment that varied the sex composition of task-oriented groups. The consequences of having solo status were markedly different for solo males and solo females. Solo females were unlikely to be group leaders; overall group satisfaction was lowest when a solo female was present; and gender-related issues were most likely to be raised in groups including a solo female. Solo males, on the other hand, tended to be integrated into the group as leaders, resulting in smoother group functioning. The implications of having solo status in terms of opportunity for professional advancement are discussed.

Three studies introduce a novel individual-difference construct to explain majority group members' responses to organizational diversity efforts: lay theories of diversity initiatives. Zero-sum beliefs (ZSBs) presume that efforts to advance diversity come at the expense of majority group members. Win-win beliefs (WWBs) posit that diversity initiatives can benefit all racial groups. Study 1 created and validated measures of ZSBs and WWBs. Study 2 showed that ZSBs and WWBs are distinct from 10 intergroup measures (e.g., social dominance orientation, modern racism) and that each lay theory accounts for unique variance in explaining Whites' reactions to diversity initiatives. Study 3 demonstrated that ZSBs and WWBs predict Whites' reactions to diversity policies of a hypothetical company. These findings suggest that ZSBs and WWBs both help explain majority group members' backlash against and support for organizational diversity initiatives.

AbstractIt was hypothesized that self‐image goals to construct, defend, and maintain desired images of the self enhance relationship insecurity, whereas compassionate goals to support others diminish relationship insecurity. Study 1 followed 115 new college roommates for 3 weeks; Study 2 followed 230 new college roommates across a semester. Both studies assessed self‐image and compassionate goals for and anxiety and avoidance in the roommate relationship. Self‐image goals predicted increased relationship anxiety and avoidance across 3 weeks (Study 1) and within weeks, from week to week, and across 3 months (Study 2). Compassionate goals consistently predicted decreased relationship anxiety and avoidance across studies and analyses. These results suggest that through their interpersonal goals, people contribute directly to their own relationship insecurity.

People who feel entitled to admiration and respect from others do not make good companions. This research shows one reason why. Entitled people adopt self-image goals (goals that aim to construct and defend a positive self-image), which then lead to interpersonal conflict and hostility. Studies 1A and 1B documented a unique relation between entitlement and self-image goals. Study 2 extended these results by showing, via a longitudinal design, that entitlement prospectively predicts chronic self-image goals. These chronic self-image goals then predict chronic relationship conflict and hostility, all averaged over 10 weeks. Further, Study 2 revealed that self-image goals mediate the effect of pretest entitlement on both weekly hostility and conflict. These results suggest that by pursuing self-image goals, entitled people create conflict and hostility in their relationships.

AbstractWhat enables people to give support that effectively addresses others' needs? Four studies examined the role of prosocial motivation, namely, compassionate goals, in providing support that addresses recipients' needs ('matching' support). Because people with compassionate goals are motivated to promote others' well‐being, this study hypothesizes that they would be more likely to engage in perspective taking, which should help them identify and give matching support. Consistent with this hypothesis, providers' compassionate goals were associated with a greater intention to give matching support (Studies 1–3) and giving matching support in the real world (Study 4). This effect was partially mediated by providers' greater perspective taking of recipients' needs (Study 3). Collectively, these studies highlight the role of prosocial motivations in successful support provision.

AbstractStigma reduction research finds that brief interactions with a person with mental illness can reduce prejudiced attitudes. We examined whether this finding extends to real relationships over an extended period of time. First‐year college roommate dyads, one of whom reported a mental illness diagnosis participated in a longitudinal study (N = 166 dyads across three American universities). Based on contact theory, we tested whether mental illness prejudice declines when: (a) the student with mental illness disclosed that information to their roommate; (b) the roommate perceived the disclosure; and (c) the roommate relationship was close. Registered analyses showed that student disclosure predicted roommate perception (β = .52, p < .001), but roommate perception of the disclosure did not significantly predict reduced prejudice from the start to the end of the academic year (β = −.13, p = .172). Relationship closeness did not moderate how likely roommates were to perceive students' disclosures. Notably, overall levels of mental illness prejudice were very low in this American college sample, suggesting that the value of stigma interventions may depend on the context. Directions for future research and social policy implications are discussed.