Self-Esteem and threats to self: implications for self-construals and interpersonal perceptions.
In 4 studies, the authors examined interpersonal perceptions as a function of self-construals and ego threats for those with high and low self-esteem. Previous research (T. F. Heatherton & K. D. Vohs, 2000a) found that after threat, high self-esteem people were rated as less likable by an unacquainted dyad partner, whereas low self-esteem people were rated as more likable. Study I showed that after threat, high self-esteem people seek competency feedback, whereas low self-esteem people seek interpersonal feedback. Study 2 showed that high self-esteem people become more independent after threat, whereas low self-esteem people become more interdependent. Study 3 linked differences in independence versus interdependence to interpersonal evaluations. Study 4 found that differences in independent and interdependent self-construals statistically accounted for differences in likability and personality perceptions of high and low self-esteem people after threat. Thus, the combination of threat and self-esteem alters people's focus on different self-aspects, which consequently leads to different interpersonal appraisals.
Vohs
K D
KD
Department of Psychology, Case Western Reserve University Cleveland, Ohio 44106-7123, USA. kdv3@po.cwru.edu
Heatherton
T F
TF
D000328:Adult; D005246:Feedback; D005260:Female; D006791:Hostility; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D010551:Personality; D011897:Random Allocation; D012649:Self Concept; D012928:Social Desirability