TY - JOUR
T1 - On the existential road from regret to heroism
T2 - Searching for meaning in life
AU - Igou, Eric R.
AU - van Tilburg, Wijnand A.P.
AU - Kinsella, Elaine L.
AU - Buckley, Laura K.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2018 Igou, van Tilburg, Kinsella and Buckley.
PY - 2018/12/3
Y1 - 2018/12/3
N2 - We investigated whether regret predicted the motivation to act heroically. In a series of studies, we examined the relationship between regret, search for meaning in life, and heroism motivation. First, Study 1 (a and b) investigated the association between regret and search for meaning in life, considering regret as a whole, action regret, and inaction regret. As expected, regret correlated positively with search for meaning in life. In two additional studies (Study 2 and 3), we examined whether regret predicted heroism motivation and whether this effect was mediated through search for meaning in life. Study 2 confirmed this hypothesis for individual differences in regret, using a correlational design. Study 3 confirmed the hypothesis for temporary experiences of regret, using an experimental design. In addition, in Study 3 we found that heroism motivation was stronger for people with high self-enhancement needs than for those with lower self-enhancement needs. We discuss the relationship between regret and heroism in light of these results and explore their implications.
AB - We investigated whether regret predicted the motivation to act heroically. In a series of studies, we examined the relationship between regret, search for meaning in life, and heroism motivation. First, Study 1 (a and b) investigated the association between regret and search for meaning in life, considering regret as a whole, action regret, and inaction regret. As expected, regret correlated positively with search for meaning in life. In two additional studies (Study 2 and 3), we examined whether regret predicted heroism motivation and whether this effect was mediated through search for meaning in life. Study 2 confirmed this hypothesis for individual differences in regret, using a correlational design. Study 3 confirmed the hypothesis for temporary experiences of regret, using an experimental design. In addition, in Study 3 we found that heroism motivation was stronger for people with high self-enhancement needs than for those with lower self-enhancement needs. We discuss the relationship between regret and heroism in light of these results and explore their implications.
KW - Existentialism
KW - Heroes
KW - Heroism
KW - Meaning
KW - Regret
KW - Self-enhancement
KW - Self-regulation
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85057848394&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.3389/fpsyg.2018.02375
DO - 10.3389/fpsyg.2018.02375
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85057848394
SN - 1664-1078
VL - 9
JO - Frontiers in Psychology
JF - Frontiers in Psychology
IS - DEC
M1 - 2375
ER -