The nonconsciousness of self-consciousness.
Five studies demonstrated that private self-consciousness is associated with nonconscious, automatic behaviors. In 2 studies, high but not low self-conscious individuals walked more slowly following exposure to an implicit elderly prime. In a 3rd study, high but not low self-conscious individuals showed improved performance following exposure to a subliminal success prime relative to a subliminal failure prime. In a 4th study, subliminal exposure to an angry prime was shown to increase blood pressure relative to a relax prime. In a final study, the latter effect was shown to be true only for high self-conscious individuals and only for subliminal presentations. Results are discussed in terms of their implications for understanding a variety of effects associated with self-consciousness and self-awareness.
Hull
Jay G
JG
Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire 03755-3578, USA. jay.hull@dartmouth.edu
Slone
Laurie B
LB
Meteyer
Karen B
KB
Matthews
Amanda R
AR
D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001364:Awareness; D001794:Blood Pressure; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011582:Psychological Theory; D011930:Reaction Time; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012649:Self Concept; D012919:Social Behavior; D012927:Social Control, Informal; D013240:Stereotyping; D013360:Subliminal Stimulation; D014481:United States; D014936:Word Association Tests