The Self-expression Motivational System

Abstract

The main aim of this chapter is to introduce and promote the concept of self-expression as a basic motivation. Considering that the amount of literature on self-expression, matched with the concepts of control and affiliation, is practically non-existent, the chapter starts by attempting to provide a viable definition of self-expression motivation. Furthermore, the concept of art as a domain in which the underlying tendency for self-expression is clearly manifested is also considered. The chapter also includes a literature review to show whether or not self-expression motivation is able to fulfil the criteria suggested by Baumeister and Leary (Psychological Bulletin, 117, 497--529, 1995). The chapter concludes with a summary of the arguments and suggests that self-expression is indeed worthy of consideration as a basic motivational concept.