Compassionate goals and affect in social situations

Abstract

Optimal social interactions can leave people feeling socially connected and at ease, which has clear implications for health and psychological well-being. Yet, not all social interactions leave people feelings at ease and connected. What explains this variability? We draw from the egosystem-ecosystem theory of social motivation (Crocker & Canevello, 2008) to suggest that compassionate goals to support others explain some of this variability. We explored the nature of this association across 4 studies and varying social contexts. Across studies, compassionate goals predicted greater feelings of ease and connection. Results also indicate that a cooperative mindset may be one mechanism underlying this association: Findings suggest a temporal sequence in which compassionate goals lead to cooperative mindsets, which then lead to feeling at ease and connected. Thus, these studies suggest that people’s compassionate goals lead to their sense of interpersonal ease and connection, which may ultimately have implications for their sense of belonging.

Interdependent = Compassionate? Compassionate and Self-Image Goals and Their Relationships With Interdependence in the United States and Japan

“…These results are consistent with past research which found that compassionate goals predicted increased relational interdependent self-construal, feelings of connection, relationship closeness, and commitment over time (Canevello and Crocker, 2010; Jiang et al, 2017). They were also in line with longitudinal evidence that compassionate goals predict feeling more connected, cooperative, loving, empathic, peaceful, clear, present, and engaged (Canevello and Crocker, 2017). Compassionate goals may encourage feeling connected to others, while the perception of close interdependent relationships may, in turn, facilitate the endorsement of compassionate goals.…”

The Role of Compassionate and Self-Image Goals in Predicting Psychological Controlling and Facilitative Parenting Styles

“…When operating with compassionate goals, people want to be helpful to, and avoid harming, others (Crocker and Canevello, 2008). Compassionate goals are associated with increased self-esteem and regard from others (Canevello and Crocker, 2011), and foster positive emotions such as feeling at ease and connected to others (Canevello and Crocker, 2017).…”

Beyond party lines: the roles of compassionate goals, affect heuristic, and risk perception on Americans’ support for coronavirus response measures

“…Extant research suggests that compassionate goals toward supporting others are inextricably linked to feelings of social connection with others, even in contexts where it may be especially difficult to experience this connection (Canevello and Crocker 2017). Because most of the U.S. states are now practicing social distancing measures, consequently forbidding any close interactions, we explore whether compassion goals influence the extent to which Americans experience solidarity and sympathy, which are both socially oriented emotions.…”

“…Thus, they focus on gaining positive outcomes for themselves through their actions. Between the two, compassionate goals shape and prompt pro-social intentions and behaviors (Crocker and Canevello 2012) aimed at benefitting another individual or a group of individuals (Canevello and Crocker 2017).…”