Issue 3/4 Vol. 38 1996

Preferences for and evaluations of positive, negative and consistent self-relevant information

PETERSEN, L.-E., STAHLBERG, D., DAUENHEIMER, D.

This study investigated how the self-concept affects reactions to self-relevant information. Subjects received feedback on different personality dimensions. These feedbacks were either consistent with self-perceptions, more positive than expected (closer to the ideal self) or more negative than expected (positive vs. negative feedback). Affective and cognitive reactions and interest in further information were analysed as dependent variables. The Integrative Self-Schema Model (ISSM) - a theoretical approach, formulated by the authors of this paper - postulates that on schematic dimensions, the motive of self-consistency controls preferences for an evaluation of self-relevant information, thus implying the most positive reactions towards self-consistent feedback. However, on aschematic dimensions, the motive for self-esteem enhancement is expected to dominate, thus leading to the most positive reactions towards positive feedback. The experimental results clearly confirmed the hypotheses derived from the ISSM for affective reactions. However, cognitive reactions and interest in further information did not follow the predictions made by the ISSM and are explained using alternative theoretical approaches.

Keywords: self-concept, self-schemata, self-enhancement, self-verification

Short Title: Petersen, L.-E. et al. (1996) PsyBeit 3-4:231

[Pabst Science Publishers] [Psychologische Beiträge] [Table of Contents] [Search] [Order]