When ego threats lead to self-regulation failure: negative consequences of high self-esteem.
The tendency for people with high self-esteem to make inflated assessments and predictions about themselves carries the risk of making commitments that exceed capabilities, thus leading to failure. Ss chose their performance contingencies in a framework where larger rewards were linked to a greater risk of failure. In the absence of ego threat, Ss with high self-esteem showed superior self-regulation: They set appropriate goals and performed effectively. Ego threat, however, caused Ss with high self-esteem to set inappropriate, risky goals that were beyond their performance capabilities so they ended up with smaller rewards than Ss with low self-esteem. The results indicate the danger of letting egotistical illusions interfere with self-regulation processes.
Baumeister
R F
RF
Department of Psychology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44106-7123.
Heatherton
T F
TF
Tice
D M
DM
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001076:Aptitude; D004532:Ego; D006040:Goals; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008297:Male; D010553:Personality Development; D012649:Self Concept