Overly positive self-evaluations and personality: negative implications for mental health.
The relation between overly positive self-evaluations and psychological adjustment was examined. Three studies, two based on longitudinal data and another on laboratory data, contrasted self-descriptions of personality with observer ratings (trained examiners or friends) to index self-enhancement. In the longitudinal studies, self-enhancement was associated with poor social skills and psychological maladjustment 5 years before and 5 years after the assessment of self-enhancement. In the laboratory study, individuals who exhibited a tendency to self-enhance displayed behaviors, independently judged, that seemed detrimental to positive social interaction. These results indicate there are negative short-term and long-term consequences for individuals who self-enhance and, contrary to some prior formulations, imply that accurate appraisals of self and of the social environment may be essential elements of mental health.
Colvin
C R
CR
Department of Psychology, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA.
Block
J
J
Funder
D C
DC
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D003674:Defense Mechanisms; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D010551:Personality; D011936:Reality Testing; D012649:Self Concept; D012931:Social Environment; D012938:Social Perception