Ideas regulatory mechanisms: Ideal self complexity and social attitudes
Ideas regulatory mechanisms: Ideal self complexity and social attitudes

Summary/Abstract: When do ideals influence functioning? The author assumes that the high complexity of the ideal self favors social attitudes consistent with axiological standards. Two correlative studies are presented: Study 1, with the participation of students from the University of Warsaw (N = 118), and Study 2, with the participation of young Internet users (N = 326). The hypothesis predicted that the number of ideal self attributes would correlate with egalitarian and pro-life attitudes. In both studies, participants were supposed to generate traits of the ideal self-reflecting its complexity (ISC). In Study 1, the asymmetry effect in the ratings of physical dictance between Self and Outgroup members was measured. In Study 2, a questionnaire was applied to measure attitudes towards egalitarian and pro-life rules. The results of both studies show that groups with lower ISC levels displayed a more stereotypical perception of distance between Self and Outgroup members as well as less egalitarian and less pro-life attitudes compared to groups with higher ISC levels.

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