ABSTRACT
The context of body-image discrepancies, an ideal goal might be less of a personal growth variable and more of an internalised societal ideal. Research based on Higgins self-discrepancy theory has explored whether such body image concerns may develop and persist due to discrepancies between individual's perceptions of their actual body shape and other referential 'selves'. Cognitive evaluation theory (CET) posits that events relevant to the initiation and regulation of behaviour can have one of three aspects that impact upon psychological need satisfaction and subsequent engagement. Motivational interpretation of self-talk was assessed using the functional significance of self-talk questionnaire. Research has linked traits such as anxiety to the content of self-directed cognition and personality dimensions, in particular neuroticism, to the frequency and type of self-talk. Hypotheses related to self-talk and agreeableness, openness and extroversion were not formulated due to an absence of conceptually robust arguments for any associations.
