ABSTRACT
A ccording to the self-expansion model (Aron & Aron, 1986; Aron, Aron, &Norman, 2001), the desire to expand the self is a basic human motive.Self-expansion is the desire to enhance one’s potential self-efficacy by gaining or increasing one’s access to material and social resources, perspectives, and identities (Aron & McLaughlin-Volpe, 2001). The model is similar to several theories of competence motivation, self-efficacy, intrinsic motivation, and self-actualization (e.g., Bandura, 1977; Deci & Ryan, 1987; Gecas, 1989; Higgins & Sorrentino, 1990; Maslow, 1970; Taylor, Neter, & Wayment, 1995; White, 1959). According to these theories, human beings are motivated to learn to control their environment, to experience themselves as capable and effective, and to bring themselves closer to their important life goals. The self-expansion
model, however, differs from these other views of self-efficacy because it sees the desire to expand the self as primarily the desire to enhance potential efficacy-to gain access to the resources that make the achievement of goals possible. The actual achievement of goals is of only secondary importance. (For a recent elaboration of the motivational aspect of the model, see Aron, Norman, & Aron, 1998).
