The Self-Insight Motive: Why Do Some People Crave Self-Knowledge More Than Others?
The human desire to understand oneself has persisted for centuries, spanning ancient philosophy, religious traditions, and modern psychology. Given the popularity of astrology columns, self-help books, and personality quizzes, it seems that most, if not all, people are intrigued by the idea of self-discovery. My career coaching clients find great value through personality assessments, values activities and more. Not all of what is gleaned from these is what people already know. There is often new insight.
However, while many seek self-knowledge, the degree to which individuals are motivated to explore themselves varies significantly. Why is it that some people crave self-insight more than others?
The Self-Insight Motive: A Fundamental Drive or a Personality Trait?
At first glance, the pursuit of self-knowledge appears to be a fundamental human drive. From the Greek maxim “Know thyself” to Buddhist practices of introspection, history is filled with examples of individuals seeking to understand their true nature. However, recent research suggests that the self-insight motive may not be a universal drive but rather a personality trait that varies in strength between individuals, similar to extraversion or agreeableness. Some people are highly motivated to understand themselves, while others remain relatively indifferent. Reading the research on this was interesting to me, and something I hadn’t considered.
Who Is Most Motivated to Know Themselves?
To explore this, researchers developed a questionnaire assessing the self-insight motive, asking participants to rate statements like “Having accurate knowledge about my character traits is very important to me.” They found meaningful differences: some individuals place great importance on self-knowledge, while others do not. So, who is most likely to be self-insight motivated?
The data suggest that a typical self-insight motivated individual is relatively young, highly educated, open to new experiences, and interested in maintaining close relationships. These individuals tend to actively seek ways to improve themselves. Surprisingly, the research also revealed that the self-insight motive is linked to a desire for admiration, suggesting that narcissistic tendencies may play a role.
An initial question to me is why is this related more to young people. Is it because with age, we gain wisdom and either know ourselves more or lack interest in learning more? Or, is it linked to my research that not all older people seek out new experiences.
The Paradox of Narcissism and Self-Insight
One might assume that narcissists, who often have inflated self-views, would avoid self-insight.
However, the research indicates that narcissists are actually highly motivated to learn about themselves although this is largely to reinforce their own grandiosity. They expect any new information about themselves to confirm their superiority, rather than challenge their existing self-image. Wow!
Does a Strong Self-Insight Motive Lead to Greater Self-Knowledge?
A key question remains: do self-insight motivated individuals actually know themselves better? Researchers tested this by comparing participants’ self-estimations of intelligence with their actual scores on an intelligence test. Surprisingly, those with a strong self-insight motive were no more accurate than those with a weaker motive. This pattern repeated in other studies, including assessments of personality traits (comparing self-ratings to ratings from close others) and evaluations of social standing within groups. Despite their motivation, self-insight driven individuals were not significantly better at perceiving their own strengths and weaknesses.
Why Does Motivation Alone Not Guarantee Self-Knowledge?
Several factors may explain why self-insight motivated individuals don’t necessarily have a clearer understanding of themselves. One possibility is the prevalence of inaccurate feedback; friends, family, and colleagues may provide misleading or sugar-coated information. Additionally, the well-documented “self-enhancement motive“, our subconscious tendency to maintain a positive self-image, may interfere with accurate self-perception. Even those actively seeking self-knowledge might unknowingly filter out uncomfortable truths.
How to Improve Self-Knowledge
If motivation alone isn’t enough, what can we do to gain more accurate self-insight? One promising approach is mindfulness. Research suggests that practicing mindfulness, observing one’s thoughts and emotions without judgment, can help individuals acknowledge their strengths and weaknesses more objectively. By reducing defensiveness and self-deception, mindfulness may allow individuals to build a more realistic and balanced self-image.
For instance, imagine a middle-aged man who prides himself on his athletic abilities, despite his body signalling otherwise. While his self-enhancement motive might encourage him to hold on to an outdated self-image, mindfulness could help him accept reality without self-judgment, allowing him to adjust his expectations while maintaining self-worth.
The Ongoing Journey of Self-Discovery
While the pursuit of self-knowledge can be rewarding, it is not a straightforward path. The evidence suggests that while some people are more driven to understand themselves than others, motivation alone does not guarantee success. Overcoming biases, seeking honest feedback, and practicing mindfulness may be key to developing a clearer and more accurate self-concept.
Ultimately, the quest for self-insight is an ongoing process, one that requires curiosity, openness, and a willingness to face uncomfortable truths. For those willing to embark on this journey, the rewards can be profound: deeper self-awareness, more authentic relationships, and a greater sense of personal fulfilment.
Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay
