This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Ryan, R. M. Articles by Deci, E. L. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Ryan, R. M. Articles by Deci, E. L. Social Bookmarking                         What's this?

The American Dream in Russia: Extrinsic Aspirations and Well-Being in Two Cultures

University of Rochester, ryan{at}psych.rochester.edu

Valery I. Chirkov

University of Rochester

Todd D. Little

Yale University

Kennon M. Sheldon

University of Missouri, Columbia

Elena Timoshina

Yaroslavl University

Edward L. Deci

University of Rochester

Recent research in the United States suggests that individuals who strongly value extrinsic goals (e.g., fame, wealth, image) relative to intrinsic goals (e.g., personal growth, relatedness, community) experience less well-being. This study examines such goals in university samples from two cultures—the United States and Russia. Participants (N = 299) rated the importance, expectancies, and current attainment of 15 life goals, including 4 target intrinsic and 4 target extrinsic goals. Results confirmed the relevance of the intrinsic-extrinsic distinction for both samples and that stronger importance and expectancies regarding extrinsic goals were negatively related to well-being, although these effects were weaker for Russian women. Furthermore, for both men and women, perceived attainment of intrinsic goals was associated with greater well-being, whereas this was not the case for perceived attainment of extrinsic goals.

Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, Vol. 25, No. 12, 1509-1524 (1999)
DOI: 10.1177/01461672992510007


CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter    What's this?

This article has been cited by other articles:

				N. Weinstein, A. K. Przybylski, and R. M. Ryan Can Nature Make Us More Caring? Effects of Immersion in Nature on Intrinsic Aspirations and Generosity Pers Soc Psychol Bull, October 1, 2009; 35(10): 1315 - 1329. [Abstract] [PDF]

				M. Matsunaga and T. T. Imahori Profiling Family Communication Standards: A U.S.-Japan Comparison Communication Research, February 1, 2009; 36(1): 3 - 31. [Abstract] [PDF]

				L. Camfield and S. M. Skevington On Subjective Well-being and Quality of Life J Health Psychol, September 1, 2008; 13(6): 764 - 775. [Abstract] [PDF]

				T. G. Patterson and S. Joseph Person-Centered Personality Theory: Support from Self-Determination Theory And Positive Psychology Journal of Humanistic Psychology, January 1, 2007; 47(1): 117 - 139. [Abstract] [PDF]

				N. W. Van Yperen A Novel Approach to Assessing Achievement Goals in the Context of the 2x 2 Framework: Identifying Distinct Profiles of Individuals With Different Dominant Achievement Goals Pers Soc Psychol Bull, November 1, 2006; 32(11): 1432 - 1445. [Abstract] [PDF]

				V. I. Chirkov, R. M. Ryan, and C. Willness Cultural Context and Psychological Needs in Canada and Brazil: Testing a Self-Determination Approach to the Internalization of Cultural Practices, Identity, and Well-Being Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, July 1, 2005; 36(4): 423 - 443. [Abstract] [PDF]

				V. I. Chirkov and R. M. Ryan Parent and Teacher Autonomy-Support in Russian and U.S. Adolescents: Common Effects on Well-Being and Academic Motivation Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, September 1, 2001; 32(5): 618 - 635. [Abstract] [PDF]

				K. M. Sheldon and T. Kasser Goals, Congruence, and Positive Well-Being: New Empirical Support for Humanistic Theories Journal of Humanistic Psychology, January 1, 2001; 41(1): 30 - 50. [Abstract] [PDF]