Name of Theory?

[CheetahGirl]

Does anyone know the name of the "theory" in which a person strives for a goal and once it becomes more attainable, this goal becomes less desirable to the person? It's similar to self-sabotage or buyer’s remorse.

For example: a person applies for very desirable job, and interviews for this job. However, as this person leaves the interview, he/she starts thinking about all the reasons that he/she may not want to work there.

Silly thread, I know, but I'm driving myself insane trying to remember the name of this theory.

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[mander]

It's a cognitive dissonance thing -- maybe overjustification effect?

 

[Pia Getty]

Let me guess. You're referring to the "you finally got the guy and now you don't want him syndrome"?

 

[RayneeDeigh]

Um... this reminded me of an approach-avoidance conflict but I'm pretty sure I'm wrong. haha.

Now it's gonna bug me too.

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

Darn you CheetahGirl!!! Now you have me thinking about it too.

-t

 

[CheetahGirl]

Um... this reminded me of an approach-avoidance conflict but I'm pretty sure I'm wrong. haha.

Now it's gonna bug me too.

That's it! I'm an internet junkie at 12:33am, so I'm going to cite a questionnable source (that I love):

Approach-avoidance occurs when an individual moves closer (physically or psychologically) to a seemingly desirable object, only to have the potentially negative consequences of contacting that object push back against the closing behavior. Appears in the 2006 AP Psychology Test
Source: Wikipedia

Now, for the life of me, why couldn't I have found this on my own?!!! Thank you very much...I can sleep now.

 

[RayneeDeigh]

That's it! I'm an internet junkie at 12:33am, so I'm going to cite a questionnable source (that I love):

Approach-avoidance occurs when an individual moves closer (physically or psychologically) to a seemingly desirable object, only to have the potentially negative consequences of contacting that object push back against the closing behavior. Appears in the 2006 AP Psychology Test
Source: Wikipedia

Now, for the life of me, why couldn't I have found this on my own?!!! Thank you very much...I can sleep now.

YAY! My intro to clinical psych class finally comes in handy!

Now if only my random jeopardy knowledge could get me into grad school, I'd be set!