title: An implicit theory of self-esteem: the consequences of perceived self-esteem for romantic desirability.
abstract: The provision of information appears to be an important property of self-esteem as evidenced by previous research concerning the status-tracking and status-signaling models of self-esteem. The present studies examine whether there is an implicit theory of self-esteem that leads individuals to assume targets with higher levels of self-esteem possess more desirable characteristics than those with lower levels of self-esteem. Across 6 studies, targets with ostensibly higher levels of self-esteem were generally rated as more attractive and as more desirable relationship partners than those with lower levels of self- esteem. It is important to note, however, that this general trend did not consistently emerge for female targets. Rather, female targets with high self-esteem were often evaluated less positively than those with more moderate levels of self-esteem. The present findings are discussed in the context of an extended informational model of self-esteem consisting of both the status-tracking and status-signaling properties of self-esteem.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS, USA. virgil@usm.edu
authors.forename: Virgil
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Zeigler-Hill
authors.forename: Erin M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Myers
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003380:Courtship; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007600:Judgment; D008297:Male; D012649:Self Concept; D012737:Sex Factors; D019529:Sexuality; D012928:Social Desirability; D012938:Social Perception