Close farmer as sculptor of the ideal self: Behavioral affirmation and theMichelangelo phenomenon

This work incorporates concepts from the behavioral confirmation tradition, self tradition, and interdependence tradition to identify an interpersonal process termed the Michelangelo phenomenon. The Michelangelo phenomenon de scribes the means by which the self is shaped by a close partner's percepti ons and behavior. Specifically, self movement toward the ideal self is desc ribed as a product of partner affirmation, or the degree to which a partner 's perceptions of the self and behavior toward the self are congruent with the self's ideal. The results of 4 studies revealed strong associations bet ween perceived partner affirmation and self movement toward the ideal self, using it variety of participant populations and measurement methods. In ad dition, perceived partner affirmation-particularly perceived partner behavi oral affirmation-was strongly associated with quality of couple functioning and stability in ongoing relationships.