People value the pursuit of potential-realization more than belonging, happiness, and status
Abstract: To what extent do people believe they should pursue potential-realization, compared to other goals? Across three experiments (N = 712), we found that U.S. adults valued pursuing potential-realization more than other major social and psychological goals, such as feeling a sense of belonging, experiencing happiness, or seeking status (Studies 1–2). This held whether we had participants imagined themselves pursuing these goals in abundant or deprived life conditions (Study 2). The only exception was that people valued pursuing material resources more than potential-realization in deprived life conditions (Study 2). High valuation of potential-realization was also observed among Chinese participants, who did not value material resources more than potential-realization – even in deprived conditions. This suggests that the effect is not limited to individualist cultures (Study 3). These findings reveal the robust valuation of pursuing potential-realization across contexts and cultures, highlighting it as a key pathway to understanding the self and the good life.