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MENTAL MODEL · M12301

Conservation of Resources Theory

Conservation of Resources Theory
BehaviorHigh supportPsychology
Included
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Version 1.0.0 · Updated 2026-07-30

CORE DEFINITION

People strive to acquire, maintain, and protect valuable resources; resource loss has a greater psychological impact than resource gain.

SCAFFOLDING EFFECT

psychology

Reduce cognitive load

Protection is more important than acquisition. In stressful situations, prioritize protecting existing resources rather than risking the acquisition of new ones.

anchor

Anchor fast decisions

Conservation of Resources (COR) theory, proposed by Hobfoll, posits that people are motivated to acquire, retain, protect, and foster valued resources (such as energy, status, and support); resource threats or losses trigger stress, and loss carries greater psychological weight than gain.

MINIMUM ACTION

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Source support: Explicit

  • link
    en.wikipedia.orghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conservation_of_resources_theoryZH · Explicit
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