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<p>Three studies examine individuals' implicit sensitivity to the absence of motivation
perceived in others and how the nature of this sensitivity is moderated by individuals'
own motivational states. Using a subliminal priming paradigm, Study 1 tested a direct
perception-behavior link between perceiving indifference in others and applying such
indifference towards one's own pursuits. Study 2 then examined how individuals who
are primed in advance with a nonconscious achievement goal show automatic counteraction
to the indifference perceived in others. Using a video-based priming paradigm, Study
3 then found that such goal-driven counteraction to indifference occurred only among
individuals with higher action control--those who had the ability to sustain goal
pursuit after the intention to pursue it has been formed. In contrast, individuals
with lower action control in Study 3 were more susceptible to indifference than all
other participants, particularly when an achievement goal was made highly active in
memory. These influences were found in all three studies to occur largely without
participants' conscious intent or awareness.</p>
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