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Theoretical integration in motivational science: System justification as one of many “autonomous motivational structures”

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 April 2014

Aaron C. Kay  and
John T. Jost
Aaron C. Kay
Affiliation:
Fuqua School of Business and Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708. [email protected]://faculty.fuqua.duke.edu/~ack23/index.html
John T. Jost
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, New York University, New York, NY 10012. [email protected]://www.psych.nyu.edu/jost/
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Abstract

Recognizing that there is a multiplicity of motives – and that the accessibility and strength of each one varies chronically and temporarily – is essential if motivational scientists are to achieve genuine theoretical and empirical integration. We agree that system justification is a case of nonconscious goal pursuit and discuss implications of the fact that it conflicts with many other psychological goals.

Type
Open Peer Commentary
Information
Behavioral and Brain Sciences , Volume 37 , Issue 2 , April 2014 , pp. 146 - 147
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2014 

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