Behavioural consequences of motivated self-concept change

The present study examines how motivated self-concept changes are reflected in actual behaviour. Subjects were led to believe that either extroversion or introversion was related to success. Their preferences for others as interaction partners were then examined. The findings suggest that people seek others who confirmed the belief that they possessed the success-related attribute. Self-verification, as a possible strategy to confirm a desired self, was partially supported. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.