Perceived regard explains self- esteem differences in expressivity.
Baumeister, Tice, and Hutton proposed that individuals with low self-esteem (LSEs) adopt a more cautious, self-protective self-presentational style than individuals with high self-esteem (HSEs). The authors predicted that LSEs' self-protectiveness leads them to be less expressive--less revealing of their thoughts and feelings--with others than HSEs, and that this self-esteem difference is mediated by their perceptions of the interaction partner's regard for them. Two correlational studies supported these predictions (Studies 1 and 2). Moreover, LSEs became more expressive when their perceived regard was experimentally heightened--when they imagined speaking to someone who was unconditionally accepting rather than judgmental (Study 3) and when their perceptions of regard were increased through Marigold, Holmes, and Ross's compliment-reframing task (Study 4). These findings suggest that LSEs' expressiveness can be heightened through interventions that reduce their concerns about social acceptance.
University of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. d.gaucher@uwinnipeg.ca
Danielle
D
Gaucher
Joanne V
JV
Wood
Danu Anthony
DA
Stinson
Amanda L
AL
Forest
John G
JG
Holmes
Christine
C
Logel
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D003142:Communication; D004644:Emotions; D005149:Facial Expression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D010465:Perception; D012649:Self Concept; D012938:Social Perception; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires