Are you afraid to fall? What are the things in life that you do not want to fall for, and which ones are you willing to take a risk on?
Promotion vs Prevention-Focused
There are two kinds of parents you could observe on the playground. The first group of parents will let their children to run about freely. Children may be hurt or fall, but they will learn. They take greater risks and, rather than avoiding them, choose to focus on the benefits of mistakes and how to learn from them. The second group, on the other hand, is more concerned with safety and security. They are afraid of making mistakes and want to avoid undesirable outcomes.
Introduction
The promotion vs. prevention mindset is based on the Regulatory Focus Theory by E. Tory Higgins in 1997. The theory analyzes the link between a person’s motivation and the ways by which they achieve their goals while adhering to their values and beliefs.
Promotion-Focus Orientation
People who place a higher value on receiving a reward are said to be promotion-focused. This is about approaching goals with the intention of achieving, accomplishing and progressing.
Prevention-Focus Orientation
People who prioritize avoiding punishment are said to be prevention-focused. Motivated individuals seek stability and the avoidance of negative or unfavourable events.
Different definitions of success and failure result from promotion and prevention mindsets.
A student with a promotion approach defines success as being praised or receiving a ‘A’ on an exam.
A student with a promotion approach defines failure as not being praised or receiving a ‘A’ on an exam.
A student with a prevention approach defines success as not failing an exam.
A student with a promotion approach defines failure as failing an exam.
Having a prevention approach is not always a bad thing.
Depending on the company’s objectives, some may want to find someone who can focus on their primary business rather than looking for new opportunities.
Summary
Some evidence suggests that the most successful people use both promotion and prevention strategies. Different situations necessitate a different focus than others; the ability to adopt different styles at different times is advantageous.
