Report

"Certainly I am not attractive, but very intelligent.' Self-Affirmation Effects and Controllability

Author(s) / Creator(s)

Bak, Peter Michael

Abstract / Description

This study examined the effects of controllability on self-affirmation processes. The core question was: Does threatening a particular facet of one's self lead to self-affirmation processes in other non-related self-dimensions. In two trials subjects conducted self-evaluations on valent attributes that were either controllable or uncontrollable. Before the second trial, they had to rate highly or non-attractive models. This was done to question perceived physical attractiveness. Presenting highly attractive models led to reduced attractiveness ratings, whereas presenting less attractive models led to higher attractiveness ratings. At the same time, subjects changed their self- evaluations. While self-evaluations for controllable attributes remained stable, positive uncontrollable attributes received higher self-ratings when highly attractive models were shown. Such asymmetrical effects are discussed against the backdrop of controllability.

Keyword(s)

Steuerbarkeit Selbstbild Selbstregulation Persönlichkeitsentwicklung Psychosoziale Entwicklung Schüchternheit Selbsthilfe Persönlichkeitsentwicklung Psychosoziale Entwicklung Schüchternheit Selbsthilfetechniken Selbstkontrolltechniken Selbstvertrauen Personality Development Psychosocial Development Timidity Self Help Techniques Self Confidence Self Esteem Self Perception

Persistent Identifier

Date of first publication

2009

Citation

  • Author(s) / Creator(s)
    Bak, Peter Michael
  • PsychArchives acquisition timestamp
    2022-11-17T11:01:46Z
  • Made available on
    2010-05-28
  • Made available on
    2015-12-01T10:32:29Z
  • Made available on
    2022-11-17T11:01:46Z
  • Date of first publication
    2009
  • Abstract / Description
    This study examined the effects of controllability on self-affirmation processes. The core question was: Does threatening a particular facet of one's self lead to self-affirmation processes in other non-related self-dimensions. In two trials subjects conducted self-evaluations on valent attributes that were either controllable or uncontrollable. Before the second trial, they had to rate highly or non-attractive models. This was done to question perceived physical attractiveness. Presenting highly attractive models led to reduced attractiveness ratings, whereas presenting less attractive models led to higher attractiveness ratings. At the same time, subjects changed their self- evaluations. While self-evaluations for controllable attributes remained stable, positive uncontrollable attributes received higher self-ratings when highly attractive models were shown. Such asymmetrical effects are discussed against the backdrop of controllability.
    en
  • Persistent Identifier
    https://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bsz:291-psydok-26173
  • Persistent Identifier
    https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11780/1307
  • Persistent Identifier
    https://doi.org/10.23668/psycharchives.8900
  • Language of content
    eng
  • Keyword(s)
    Steuerbarkeit
    de
  • Keyword(s)
    Selbstbild
    de
  • Keyword(s)
    Selbstregulation
    de
  • Keyword(s)
    Persönlichkeitsentwicklung
    de
  • Keyword(s)
    Psychosoziale Entwicklung
    de
  • Keyword(s)
    Schüchternheit
    de
  • Keyword(s)
    Selbsthilfe
    de
  • Keyword(s)
    Persönlichkeitsentwicklung
    de
  • Keyword(s)
    Psychosoziale Entwicklung
    de
  • Keyword(s)
    Schüchternheit
    de
  • Keyword(s)
    Selbsthilfetechniken
    de
  • Keyword(s)
    Selbstkontrolltechniken
    de
  • Keyword(s)
    Selbstvertrauen
    de
  • Keyword(s)
    Personality Development
    en
  • Keyword(s)
    Psychosocial Development
    en
  • Keyword(s)
    Timidity
    en
  • Keyword(s)
    Self Help Techniques
    en
  • Keyword(s)
    Self Confidence
    en
  • Keyword(s)
    Self Esteem
    en
  • Keyword(s)
    Self Perception
    en
  • Dewey Decimal Classification number(s)
    150
  • Title
    "Certainly I am not attractive, but very intelligent.' Self-Affirmation Effects and Controllability
    en
  • DRO type
    report
  • Visible tag(s)
    PsyDok