From Self to Social Relationships: An Essentially Relational Perspective on Social Motivation (Studies in Emotion and Social Interaction)

What is it that moves and motivates us in our lives? Martijn van Zomeren proposes social relationships are at the essence of this key question and, in a fascinating investigation into human motivation, he develops a novel and integrative psychological theory termed 'selvations theory'. The theory suggests that we are essentially relational beings that seek to regulate relationships in response to felt changes in our network of relationships (selvations). However, we need to do this in culturally appropriate ways and this is where our culturally construed self comes to be of use. 'From self to social relationships' constitutes a powerful argument about human essence, integrating major theories in and around psychology, which has strong implications for the study and practice of social motivation. Read more... Cover Half-title page Series page Title page Copyright page Dedication Contents Figures Acknowledgements Prologue Part I Assumptions Chapter 1 Towards theoretical integration Introduction The need for dark matter A problem A solution Towards integration and consilience Chapter 2 A shift from self to selvations Introduction What is relational essence? Too much self-ishness Definitions and theories of social motivation Selvations and self in evolutionary context? Part II Selvations theory Chapter 3 Selvations theory I: Value infusion Introduction What are selvations? Knitting together an Asian elephantThe spider in the web Bigger or smaller brains? Chapter 4 Selvations theory II: Coping with value-infused events Introduction What is coping? Knitting together an African elephant The cultural matrix A clash of cultures? Part III Implications Chapter 5 So what? Introduction So what indeed? Implications of selvations theory Implications of relational essence Implications of integration and consilience Epilogue More than a metaphor? Selvations theory in everyday life The undiscovered country Conclusion References Index. What Is It That Moves And Motivates Us In Our Lives? Martijn Van Zomeren Proposes Social Relationships Are At The Essence Of This Key Question And, In A Fascinating Investigation Into Human Motivation, He Develops A Novel And Integrative Psychological Theory Termed 'selvations Theory'. The Theory Suggests That We Are Essentially Relational Beings That Seek To Regulate Relationships In Response To Felt Changes In Our Network Of Relationships (selvations). However, We Need To Do This In Culturally Appropriate Ways And This Is Where Our Culturally Construed Self Comes To Be Of Use. 'from Self To Social Relationships' Constitutes A Powerful Argument About Human Essence, Integrating Major Theories In And Around Psychology, Which Has Strong Implications For The Study And Practice Of Social Motivation. Martijn Van Zomeren. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. What is it that moves and motivates us in our lives? Martijn van Zomeren proposes that social relationships are at the essence of this key question and, in a fascinating investigation into human motivation, he develops a novel and integrative psychological theory termed 'selvations theory'. The theory suggests that we are essentially relational beings that seek to regulate relationships in response to felt changes in our network of relationships (selvations). However, we need to do this in culturally appropriate ways and this is where our culturally construed self comes to be of use. From Self to Social Relationships constitutes a powerful argument about human essence, integrating major theories in and around psychology, which has strong implications for the study and practice of social motivation.