Explicit and Implicit Basic Human Motives, and Public Service Motivation

Hendrik Slabbinck; Arjen Van Witteloostuijn; Arjen Van Witteloostuijn; Arjen Van Witteloostuijn

doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2020.01542

Frontiers in Psychology (Jun 2020)

Explicit and Implicit Basic Human Motives, and Public Service Motivation

Hendrik Slabbinck,
Arjen Van Witteloostuijn,
Arjen Van Witteloostuijn,
Arjen Van Witteloostuijn

Affiliations

Hendrik Slabbinck: Department of Marketing, Innovation and Organisation, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
Arjen Van Witteloostuijn: School of Business and Economics, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Arjen Van Witteloostuijn: Antwerp Management School, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
Arjen Van Witteloostuijn: Department of Management, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.01542
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 11

Abstract

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This article contributes to the literature on the roots of Public Service Motivation (PSM) by turning to the psychological theory of basic human motives. The study explores the differential associations of explicit and implicit basic human motives with PSM, Attraction to Policy-Making (APM), Commitment to the Public Interest (CPI), Compassion (COM), and Self-Sacrifice (SS). Methodologically, the research contributes to the literature by introducing a measurement instrument new to Public Administration: the Brief Implicit Association Test (BIAT). The BIAT is an easy-to-use and flexible tool to probe into the human unconsciousness, offering ample opportunities for further research in Public Administration and Management.

Published in Frontiers in Psychology

ISSN: 1664-1078 (Online)
Publisher: Frontiers Media S.A.
Country of publisher: Switzerland
LCC subjects: Philosophy. Psychology. Religion: Psychology
Website: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology

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