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The relationship between self-esteem level, self-esteem stability, and cardiovascular reactions to performance
Mark D Seery1, Jim Blascovich, Max Weisbuch
1Department of Psychology, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106-9660, USA. seery@psych.ucsb.edu
Journal of Personality and Social Psychology
|July 15, 2004
Summary
Individuals with unstable high self-esteem may doubt themselves, reacting negatively to failure. Stable high self-esteem, however, is linked to a positive challenge response, even after setbacks.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Social Psychology
- Personality Psychology
Background:
- High self-esteem is generally considered beneficial.
- However, the stability of self-esteem may moderate its effects.
- Unstable high self-esteem might mask underlying self-doubt.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if unstable high self-esteem is associated with implicit self-doubt.
- To examine cardiovascular responses to performance feedback in relation to self-esteem stability.
- To test predictions derived from the biopsychosocial model of challenge and threat.
Main Methods:
- Participants completed measures of self-esteem level and stability.
- Spontaneous cardiovascular reactions (e.g., heart rate, blood pressure) were assessed.
- Participants received success and failure performance feedback in experimental tasks.
Main Results:
- A significant interaction was found between feedback, self-esteem level, and stability.
- Unstable high self-esteem participants showed threat responses (negative cardiovascular reactions) to failure.
- Stable high self-esteem participants showed challenge responses (positive cardiovascular reactions) to failure.
Conclusions:
- Findings support the notion that unstable high self-esteem involves implicit self-doubt.
- Self-esteem stability is a crucial factor in how individuals respond to performance feedback.
- Results align with the biopsychosocial model, differentiating challenge and threat responses.