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Promoting a SAFE Environment: An Empirical Look at the State Authenticity as Fit to Environment Model
Abstract
The state authenticity as fit to environment (SAFE) model describes a process by which people’s sense of fit is cued by the environment (Schmader & Sedikides, 2018). According to the SAFE model, the environment cues positive feelings of fit for people from advantaged identities, while the opposite is true for people from disadvantaged identities. The model further suggests that positive feelings of fit lead to increased authenticity, which in turn leads to increased approach motivation, whereas a lack of fit leads to decreased authenticity, and increased avoidance motivation. Study 1 of this research empirically examined the predictions of the SAFE model by comparing the experiences of college students of color and white students at a predominantly white institution. To further test the SAFE model, a longitudinal study was conducted to see if the predictions of the model persisted across time. Specifically, study 2 examined the safe model over the duration of one semester. Both studies found mixed empirical support for the SAFE model. Students of color consistently reported lower fit and increased self-alienation compared to white students. Implications for the model and future research are discussed.
Citation
Crist, Jaren D. (2023). Promoting a SAFE Environment: An Empirical Look at the State Authenticity as Fit to Environment Model. Doctoral dissertation, Texas A&M University. Available electronically from https : / /hdl .handle .net /1969 .1 /200102.