Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 7, 2026

Creating Virtual-hand and Virtual-face Illusions to Investigate Self-representation
Published on: March 1, 2017
Possible self-complexity and affective reactions to goal-relevant evaluation
P M Niedenthal1, M B Setterlund, M B Wherry
1Department of Psychology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21218.
Abstract:
The complexity of people's self-concept appears to be inversely related to the intensity of their reactions to evaluative feedback about present goals and abilities (Linville, 1985, 1987). The idea that the complexity of individuals' possible self-concept similarly mediates reactions to feedback regarding future goals was investigated. Two preliminary studies suggested that complexity of the actual self only explains 20% to 30% of the variance in possible self-complexity. Three studies were conducted. Support was found for the idea that possible self-complexity mediates affective reactions to evaluative feedback about future goals and actual self-complexity mediates affective reactions to evaluative feedback about present goals. The findings underscore the independent roles of the organization of actual and possible self-concepts in affective processes.
More Related Videos
06:45Task Interruption and Resumption Paradigm for Testing the Activation and Pursuit of an Abstract Thinking Goal
Published on: April 18, 2017
08:24The Joint Effect of Social Comparison and Social Distance on Evaluation of Intertemporal Choice Outcomes in Event-related Potential Studies
Published on: August 25, 2023
Related Concept Videos
Self-Evaluation: Self-Enhancement and Self-Verification
Self-Discrepancy Theory
Social Foundations of Self III: Self-Evaluation
Self-Evaluation Maintenance Model
Self-Awareness and Its Effects
Self-Discrepancy and Its Effects