title: Feedback Seeking in Early Adolescence: Self-Enhancement or Self-Verification?
abstract: The authors examined whether early adolescents (N= 90) solicit self-enhancing feedback (i.e., positive feedback) or self-verifying feedback (i.e., feedback congruent with self-views, even when these views are negative). Sixth, seventh, and eighth graders first completed a self-perception measure and then selected whether to receive positive or negative feedback from an unknown peer in different domains of self. Results were consistent with self-verification theory; adolescents who perceived themselves as having both strengths and weaknesses were more likely to seek negative feedback regarding a self-perceived weakness compared to a self-perceived strength. The authors found similar support for self-verification processes when they considered the entire sample regardless of perceived strengths and weaknesses; hierarchical linear modeling (HLM) examined the predictive power of ratings of self-perceived ability, certainty, and importance on feedback seeking for all participants and provided additional evidence of self-verification strivings in adolescence.
authors.affiliation: Texas Woman's University, Denton, TX.
authors.forename: Lisa H
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Rosen
authors.forename: Connor P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Principe
authors.forename: Judith H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Langlois
keywords: early adolescence; self-enhancement; self-esteem; self-verification
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