From Self to Social Relationships
An Essentially Relational Perspective on Social Motivation

Martijn van Zomeren develops 'selvations theory', and proposes that human motivation is based around changes in social relationships.

Martijn van Zomeren (Author)

9781107093799, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 7 July 2016

206 pages, 7 b/w illus.
23.6 x 15.8 x 1.5 cm, 0.45 kg

'This well-written book covers a lot of ground, and does so in a thoughtful manner. It is one of the most integrative books I have seen in recent years.' Paul A. M. Van Lange, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam

What is it that moves and motivates us in our lives? Martijn van Zomeren proposes that social relationships are at the essence of this key question and, in a fascinating investigation into human motivation, he develops a novel and integrative psychological theory termed 'selvations theory'. The theory suggests that we are essentially relational beings that seek to regulate relationships in response to felt changes in our network of relationships (selvations). However, we need to do this in culturally appropriate ways and this is where our culturally construed self comes to be of use. From Self to Social Relationships constitutes a powerful argument about human essence, integrating major theories in and around psychology, which has strong implications for the study and practice of social motivation.

Prologue
Part I. Assumptions: 1. Toward theoretical integration
2. A shift from self to selvations
Part II. Selvations Theory: 3. Selvations theory I: value infusion
4. Selvations theory II: coping with value-infused events
Part III. Implications: 5. So what?
Epilogue.

Subject Areas: Social, group or collective psychology [JMH], Psychology [JM], Social & cultural anthropology, ethnography [JHMC], Social theory [JHBA], Sociology [JHB]