Self-reference in elaborative processing of desirability of trait adjectives.
We investigated whether the desirability of trait adjectives was elaboratively processed during self-reference tasks (Exp. 1-1, 1-2) and whether desirability information played a role in memory processes in self-reference tasks (Exp. 2). In Exp. 1-1, 14 participants performed a series of initial tasks and target tasks, which were self-reference, evaluative, or semantic. Responses on the evaluating target task were faster when the initial task was self-reference rather than semantic. Exp. 1-2 demonstrated that information relevant to the evaluative task did not facilitate the process of performing an other-reference task. Although there was no evidence that desirability information had a role in the self-reference effect in Exp. 2, desirability of trait adjectives was specifically processed during self-reference tasks.
Nakao
Takashi
T
Department of Psychology, Hiroshima University, Kagamiyama, Hagashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima, Japan. takana@hiroshima-u.ac.jp
Miyatani
Makoto
M
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011930:Reaction Time; D012649:Self Concept; D012928:Social Desirability