Discrepancies between implicit and explicit self-esteem: implications for narcissism and self-esteem instability.
There appear to be two forms of high self-esteem: secure high self-esteem (which is often linked with psychological health) and fragile high self-esteem (which is generally associated with poor psychological adjustment and impaired interpersonal relationships). Discrepant high self-esteem is a form of fragile self-esteem characterized by high explicit self-esteem and low implicit self-esteem. The present study examined whether discrepant high self-esteem was associated with narcissism and self-esteem instability in an undergraduate sample. Using multiple measures of implicit self-esteem, two basic findings emerged from the present study. First, participants with discrepant high self-esteem possessed the highest levels of narcissism. Second, participants with high explicit self-esteem and high implicit self-esteem displayed the most stable self-esteem. Findings are discussed in terms of secure and fragile high self-esteem.
Zeigler-Hill
Virgil
V
Department of Psychology, University of Southern Mississippi. Hattiesburg, MS 39406, USA. virgil@usm.edu
D000328:Adult; D003674:Defense Mechanisms; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D009289:Narcissism; D010555:Personality Inventory / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012649:Self Concept; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology