Niiya, Jiang, & Yakin (2000) JRP: Compassionate goals and dissent

Although compassionate goals often result in harmonious relationships, people with higher compassionate goals expressed dissent toward their ingroup, both directly (Study 1) and indirectly, through higher collectively oriented motives (Studies 2-4). They expressed dissent in clearer and less harmful ways, and were more likely to take ownership of their opinions (Studies 2-4). In contrast, the goals to project a desirable self-image showed mixed associations with the degree and methods of dissent expression.

Similar results emerged in two contrasting socio-cultural contexts, namely Japan (Studies 1, 2, and 3) and the U.S. (Studies 3 and 4). Unlike interdependent cultural orientation, which involves the avoidance of confrontation, compassionate goals dissent expression to ingroup members by highlighting the benefit of dissent for the group. Keywords: compassionate goals; self-image goals; dissent; conformity; interdependence