THE INFLUENCE OF SELF-RELATED MOTIVES IN SOCIAL INFERENCE

The present paper examines the influence of self-related motives in so cial perception. A series of studies showed that how we perceive ourse lves at any one time is influenced by our motivation to see ourselves positively (e.g., that we possess attributes related to success or pos itive outcomes). Impressions formed of others are similarly influenced by how these impressions may reflect on the self. It is proposed that self-related motives affect social perception (of the self or of othe rs) by directing recall of, and attention to, information likely to fu rther the motives. In line with Kunda's (1990) distinction between acc uracy-driven and directional inferences, the presented studies highlig ht directional inference related to the need to see oneself positively .