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Updated: Jun 28, 2026
06:53
Creating Virtual-hand and Virtual-face Illusions to Investigate Self-representation
Published on: March 1, 2017
[Are positive illusions adaptive?: self- and other-rating]
1Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tennodai, Tsukuba 305-8572, Japan. mtoyama@human.tsukuba.ac.jp
Shinrigaku Kenkyu : the Japanese Journal of Psychology
|October 23, 2008
Summary
Children with overly positive self-perceptions of social competence reported better mental health. However, these positive illusions were linked to increased aggression and lower peer acceptance among elementary students.
Area of Science:
- Child Psychology
- Social-Emotional Development
- Mental Health Research
Context:
- Investigates the link between self-perception and mental health in children.
- Examines positive illusions regarding social competence in elementary students.
- Utilizes self-ratings and teacher/peer ratings for comprehensive assessment.
Purpose:
- To explore the relationship between positive self-perceptions of social competence and mental health outcomes.
- To identify potential detrimental effects of overly positive self-views on social functioning.
- To understand how children's social competence illusions influence peer and teacher perceptions.
Summary:
- Positive illusions in social competence correlated with higher self-reported mental health.
- Excessively positive self-perceptions were associated with teacher and peer ratings of increased aggression.
- Children with inflated social competence views experienced lower acceptance from same-sex classmates.
Impact:
- Highlights the complex interplay between self-perception, mental health, and social dynamics in children.
- Suggests that while positive illusions may boost self-rated well-being, they can negatively impact social standing.
- Informs interventions aimed at fostering realistic self-appraisals for improved social adjustment and peer relationships.
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