Self-esteem accessibility as attitude strength: on the durability and impactfulness of accessible self-esteem.
The present research examines the accessibility of one's self-esteem as a predictor of the "strength" (durability and impactfulness) of that self-esteem. Based on attitude accessibility research, the authors predicted that accessibility of self-esteem (i.e., a self-attitude) would be positively related to self-esteem's ability to resist change and guide information processing. In Study 1, accessibility of self-esteem was positively related to resistance to change in a paradigm where participants listed either positive or negative self-attributes. Self-esteem was also associated with biases in judgments of ambiguous personality feedback (Study 2) and in explanatory style and future event predictions (Study 3), but did so to a greater extent as self-esteem accessibility increased. In addition, these patterns were obtained after controlling for other variables, including general reaction time, evaluative extremity, self-concept clarity, and self-esteem certainty. Results are discussed in relation to past literature, self-strength, and applied implications.
DeMarree
Kenneth G
KG
Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, USA. ken.demarree@ttu.edu
Petty
Richard E
RE
Strunk
Daniel R
DR
D001290:Attitude; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007206:Individuality; D008297:Male; D010551:Personality; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012649:Self Concept; D012647:Self-Assessment