Becoming All You Can Be: Behavioral Change, Socially-Referenced Preferences, and Spiritual Growth

26 Pages Posted: 17 Sep 2007

See all articles by Rowena Pecchenino

Rowena Pecchenino

NUI Maynooth - Department of Economics

Date Written: June 2007

Abstract

As a result of unanticipated life-transforming events many individuals decide to change, to become the person they always wanted to be. Often an individual will explore her spirituality, seek out mentors, and find a reference group whose behavior mirrors that of the person she hopes to become. Change requires that she invest today, perhaps at great cost, to gain consistency between whom she is and who she wants to be. These investments may generate dividends in terms of greater meaning and improved life satisfaction. We examine the net benefits of change, and the cost of failure to change.

Keywords: Social norms, Spirituality, Behavioral change

JEL Classification: Z12, Z13, I12

Suggested Citation

Pecchenino, Rowena, Becoming All You Can Be: Behavioral Change, Socially-Referenced Preferences, and Spiritual Growth (June 2007). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1015016 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1015016

Rowena Pecchenino (Contact Author)

NUI Maynooth - Department of Economics ( email )

County Kildare
Ireland
35317083751 (Phone)
35317083934 (Fax)

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