Acts of emptying promote self‐focus: A perceived resource deficiency perspective

Abstract No one likes feeling empty. When people feel empty they seek replenishment, which usually takes the form of increased self‐focused behaviors that provide value to the self and decreased other‐focused behaviors that provide value to others. This research demonstrates how exposure to the concept of emptiness by simply performing or observing acts of emptying (vs. filling or control) of a glass vase, coat pockets, a glass jar, or a duffle bag triggers the cognitive metaphor of resource deficiency. The resource deficiency metaphor in turn leads people to engage in self‐focused behaviors such as eating candy or planning a dream vacation and to disengage from other‐focused behaviors such as donating to charities or helping others.