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Trait Self-esteem Moderates Decreases in Self-control Following Rejection: An Information-processing Account
Michelle Vandellen1, Megan L Knowles, Elizabeth Krusemark
1Social Science Research Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.
European Journal of Personality
|May 22, 2012
Summary
Social rejection impairs self-control, but only for individuals with low trait self-esteem. This effect was observed when tasks lacked social implications, suggesting a focus on belonging needs.
Area of Science:
- Social Psychology
- Self-Control Research
Background:
- Trait self-esteem influences how individuals respond to social feedback.
- Social rejection can negatively impact cognitive functions like self-control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the moderating role of trait self-esteem on the relationship between social rejection and self-control.
- To propose and test an information-processing model of this moderation.
Main Methods:
- Studies 1 and 2: Measured trait self-esteem, experimentally induced social rejection, and assessed self-control.
- Study 3: Examined motivational influences by framing a self-control task as diagnostic of social skills.
Main Results:
- Social rejection impaired self-control, but this effect was significant only for individuals with low trait self-esteem.
- The self-control decrement was observed only when the task had no social implications.
Conclusions:
- Trait self-esteem moderates the impact of social rejection on self-control.
- Low self-esteem individuals prioritize social tasks and may be preoccupied with belonging needs, affecting self-control on non-social tasks.
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