When the possibilities are infinite : the significance of self-extension

This paper contributes to positive psychology and positive organizational behaviour research by addressing important gaps in the literature on growth needs and experiences. It proposes a conceptual framework to clarify the connection (and distinction) between two types of growth experiences, viz., C...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Skinner, Alaka Rajan
Other Authors: Chiu Chi-Yue
Format: Thesis
Language:English
Published: 2015
Subjects:
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/10356/63810
_version_ 1811679389088219136
author Skinner, Alaka Rajan
author2 Chiu Chi-Yue
author_facet Chiu Chi-Yue
Skinner, Alaka Rajan
author_sort Skinner, Alaka Rajan
collection NTU
description This paper contributes to positive psychology and positive organizational behaviour research by addressing important gaps in the literature on growth needs and experiences. It proposes a conceptual framework to clarify the connection (and distinction) between two types of growth experiences, viz., Capability Extension (going past the perceived limits of one’s abilities) and Connectedness Extension (going beyond once-conceived boundaries of the self). Across three sets of studies, both sets of experiences are shown to be united by the overarching theme of Self-Extension, i.e. self-growth that involves going beyond previously perceived limits of the self. Not only are both Capability and Connectedness Extension seen to be positively associated with subjective well-being and engagement in Organizational Citizenship Behaviour, but Positive Expectations (i.e. Hope, Optimism and Self-Efficacy) and a focus on meaning are shown to mediate these relationships. Further, notwithstanding the links between them, Capability and Connectedness Extension are shown to be distinguishable forms of Self-Extension in that they are associated with differing relative priorities in relation to both the self and the key responsibilities of organizations. Finally, two individual dimensions of Self-Extension are proposed (i.e. the perceived Importance of Self-Extension vs. the Frequency of its experiences) and each is seen to have differing associations with the key individual and organizational outcome variables.
first_indexed 2024-10-01T03:08:22Z
format Thesis
id ntu-10356/63810
institution Nanyang Technological University
language English
last_indexed 2024-10-01T03:08:22Z
publishDate 2015
record_format dspace
spelling ntu-10356/638102024-01-12T10:10:51Z When the possibilities are infinite : the significance of self-extension Skinner, Alaka Rajan Chiu Chi-Yue Nanyang Business School DRNTU::Business::Management::Organizational behavior DRNTU::Business::Management::Social responsibility This paper contributes to positive psychology and positive organizational behaviour research by addressing important gaps in the literature on growth needs and experiences. It proposes a conceptual framework to clarify the connection (and distinction) between two types of growth experiences, viz., Capability Extension (going past the perceived limits of one’s abilities) and Connectedness Extension (going beyond once-conceived boundaries of the self). Across three sets of studies, both sets of experiences are shown to be united by the overarching theme of Self-Extension, i.e. self-growth that involves going beyond previously perceived limits of the self. Not only are both Capability and Connectedness Extension seen to be positively associated with subjective well-being and engagement in Organizational Citizenship Behaviour, but Positive Expectations (i.e. Hope, Optimism and Self-Efficacy) and a focus on meaning are shown to mediate these relationships. Further, notwithstanding the links between them, Capability and Connectedness Extension are shown to be distinguishable forms of Self-Extension in that they are associated with differing relative priorities in relation to both the self and the key responsibilities of organizations. Finally, two individual dimensions of Self-Extension are proposed (i.e. the perceived Importance of Self-Extension vs. the Frequency of its experiences) and each is seen to have differing associations with the key individual and organizational outcome variables. Doctor of Philosophy (NBS) 2015-05-19T04:09:12Z 2015-05-19T04:09:12Z 2015 2015 Thesis Skinner, A. R. (2015). When the possibilities are infinite : the significance of self-extension. Doctoral thesis, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. http://hdl.handle.net/10356/63810 en 175 p. application/pdf
spellingShingle DRNTU::Business::Management::Organizational behavior
DRNTU::Business::Management::Social responsibility
Skinner, Alaka Rajan
When the possibilities are infinite : the significance of self-extension
title When the possibilities are infinite : the significance of self-extension
title_full When the possibilities are infinite : the significance of self-extension
title_fullStr When the possibilities are infinite : the significance of self-extension
title_full_unstemmed When the possibilities are infinite : the significance of self-extension
title_short When the possibilities are infinite : the significance of self-extension
title_sort when the possibilities are infinite the significance of self extension
topic DRNTU::Business::Management::Organizational behavior
DRNTU::Business::Management::Social responsibility
url http://hdl.handle.net/10356/63810
work_keys_str_mv AT skinneralakarajan whenthepossibilitiesareinfinitethesignificanceofselfextension