动机理论的新发展：调节定向理论

Higgins（1997）提出的调节定向理论，独立于享乐主义原则，揭示了人们如何趋近积极目标状态和回避消极目标状态。该理论区分了两种不同的调节定向——促进定向和预防定向，两者在服务的需要类型、对目标的表征、对结果的关注点、情绪体验等方面存在区别，并会产生独立的动机结果。文章介绍了关于两种调节定向的特点、调节定向的测量、调节定向对基本心理过程和调节定向理论在社会生活的应用的研究成果，并提出未来研究应重视对调节定向的测量、调节定向与人格、与时间动力等方面的研究。

New Development in the Domain of Motivation: Regulatory Focus Theory

Beyond the hedonic principle, Regulatory Focus Theory (Higgins, 1997) distinguished two kinds of regulatory systems-promotion focus and prevention focus, and explained how people approached the desired end-states and avoided undesired end-states. Promotion and prevention focus induced independent motivational outcomes, and differed in the types of needs serviced, the presentations for the goals, and outcome and emotional sensitivity. This paper reviewed previous literatures from four aspects: traits of promotion/prevention focus, the measurement for regulatory focus, the impact of regulatory focus on basic psychological processes and social life. The issues deserved further research were also outlined, such as developing more scientific measuring tools for regulatory focus, the relationship between regulatory focus and personality variables, and regulatory focus with temporary dynamics.