Regulatory focus (Higgins)

Higgins's model of two motivational modes: a promotion focus chasing hopes, growth and gains, and a prevention focus guarding safety and duty against loss.

Regulatory focus theory (Higgins, 1997) is a validated model of motivation: a promotion focus pursues hopes, growth and gains, while a prevention focus pursues safety, duty and avoiding loss. People can lean one way, hold both, or shift by situation. (Regulatory focus theory (Higgins))

Groups

• Promotion focus — Driven by hopes, growth and gains — you reach for what you could win.
• Prevention focus — Driven by duty and security — you guard against what could go wrong.
• Both strongly — Eager for gains and vigilant against loss at the same time.
• Depends on the situation — Which one leads shifts with what's at stake.

References

• Higgins, E. T. (1997). Beyond pleasure and pain. American Psychologist
• Higgins, E. T., Friedman, R. S., Harlow, R. E., Idson, L. C., Ayduk, O. N., & Taylor, A. (2001). Achievement orientations from subjective histories of success: Promotion pride versus prevention pride. European Journal of Social Psychology
• Lockwood, P., Jordan, C. H., & Kunda, Z. (2002). Motivation by positive or negative role models: Regulatory focus determines who will best inspire us. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology
• Lanaj, K., Chang, C.-H., & Johnson, R. E. (2012). Regulatory focus and work-related outcomes: A review and meta-analysis. Psychological Bulletin

Related topics

• Spiral Dynamics (value systems)
• VIA Character Strengths
• Stage of moral reasoning
• What drives you (McClelland)
• Your appetite for risk
• Core values (Schwartz)

All topics on ArtaQuest