Supplementary file 3_Diversity in scarcity: financial scarcity uniquely impairs success-seeking beyond a universal surge in failure-avoidance.docx

Although the “scarcity mindset theory” suggests a general cognitive cost of deprivation, research on how different contextual factors, especially time and financial scarcity, shape motivation structure remains limited. This study investigates the divergent effects of these two forms of scarcity on achievement motivation, specifically distinguishing between the motivation to pursue success (Ms) and the motivation to avoid failure (Mf).</p>Methods<p>We employed a multi-study approach across three studies.

Study 1 (N = 200) was a questionnaire survey designed to establish the initial ecological correlation between naturally occurring scarcity perceptions and motivational orientations. Study 2 (N = 180) used an unconstrained recall manipulation to probe causality; its results revealed that relatively high, unbuffered ecological baselines can complicate the specific effects of scarcity. To isolate the core psychological construct, Study 3 (N = 160) employed an orthogonal manipulation that anchored non-target resources at a neutral, zero-scarcity baseline, thereby disentangling general ecological strain from the unique psychological experience of each specific resource scarcity.</p>Results<p>Our findings across the three studies support a “Convergent-Divergent” model of social cognition under scarcity.