Ironic effects of feedback on contingency of self-worth: Why self-reports of contingency are biased
Source
Self and Identity, 18, 2, (2019), pp. 183-200ISSN
Publication type
Article / Letter to editor
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Organization
SW OZ BSI SCP
Journal title
Self and Identity
Volume
vol. 18
Issue
iss. 2
Languages used
English (eng)
Page start
p. 183
Page end
p. 200
Subject
Behaviour Change and Well-beingAbstract
Contingent self-worth has been studied as an individual differences variable affecting how self-relevant information is processed. We examined the effects of self-relevant information on contingent self-worth as a dependent variable. In Experiment 1 (N = 79, college students), participants’ performance contingency was higher after negative than positive performance feedback. In Experiment 2 (N = 3764, community sample), social approval and appearance contingencies were lower in a social approval condition than in control conditions. Mediation analyses suggested this effect was mediated by enhanced self-esteem. Thus, self-esteem increased due to the very source that participants came to regard as less important: Social approval. Results are explained in terms of sociometer theory and limited introspection abilities: All self-esteem is sensitive to external contingencies, people just become more aware of this when it is threatened.
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- Academic publications [245399]
- Electronic publications [132866]
- Faculty of Social Sciences [30349]
- Open Access publications [106387]
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