The Quest for Significance Motivates Self-Sacrifice

The present research examined the motivational underpinnings of self-sacrifice. Based on the quest for significance theory, we argue that individuals are propelled to self-sacrifice for a cause to achieve a sense of self-worth, particularly after experiencing a loss of significance. Results from 6 studies yielded support for this hypothesis. Using a correlational design, Study 1 found that decreases in significance were associated with greater readiness for self-sacrifice. Study 2 experimentally demonstrated that experiences implicating negative self-worth increased the propensity for self-sacrifice controlling for positive and negative affect. Study 3 extended findings from Study 2 to a different context, and Study 4 demonstrated that failures in an important rather than a trivial domain increased individuals’ willingness to self-sacrifice for a cause. Study 5 found evidence that the search for significance mediates the relationship between significance loss and willingness to self-sacrifice. Finally, Study 6 provided evidence that self-sacrifice increased significance more than did pleasurable experiences, suggesting it is instrumental to significance restoration after loss. Findings are discussed in light of extant self-sacrifice literature and the quest for significance theory.