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Related Concept Videos

Self-Evaluation: Self-Enhancement and Self-Verification03:00

Self-Evaluation: Self-Enhancement and Self-Verification

Social psychologists have documented that feeling good about ourselves and maintaining positive self-esteem is a powerful motivator of human behavior (Tavris & Aronson, 2008). In the United States, members of the predominant culture typically think very highly of themselves and view themselves as good people who are above average on many desirable traits (Ehrlinger, Gilovich, & Ross, 2005). Often, our behavior, attitudes, and beliefs are affected when we experience a threat to our...
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Self-verification is a fundamental psychological drive wherein individuals seek affirmation of their self-concept from others, striving for consistency between their internal self-view and external perceptions. This drive operates even when the self-concept is negative, influencing interpersonal behavior and feedback preferences in complex and often counterintuitive ways. Unlike the self-enhancement motive, which seeks positive evaluations, self-verification prioritizes coherence and...
Self-Serving Bias01:29

Self-Serving Bias

Self-serving bias is a cognitive phenomenon in which individuals attribute positive outcomes to internal factors such as their abilities, intelligence, or effort while attributing negative outcomes to external circumstances. This cognitive distortion helps maintain self-esteem but can also impede objective self-assessment.Theoretical Explanations of Self-Serving BiasTwo primary theories explain the self-serving bias: the cognitive explanation and the motivational explanation.The cognitive...
Self-Discrepancy Theory02:45

Self-Discrepancy Theory

One influential perspective on what motivates people's behavior is detailed in Tory Higgin's self-discrepancy theory (Higgins, 1987). He proposed that people hold disagreeing internal representations of themselves that lead to different emotional states.
Sources of Self-Esteem III: Social Comparison01:27

Sources of Self-Esteem III: Social Comparison

Social comparison plays a fundamental role in the evaluation of personal success and self-worth. Rather than assessing our achievements in isolation, we interpret their significance relative to personal goals and critically in comparison to the performance of others. A grade of B in a mathematics exam might elicit pride if one's expectation was a C, yet result in disappointment if an A was anticipated or if peers achieved superior results. These comparative evaluations illustrate how both...
Self-Efficacy01:29

Self-Efficacy

Self-efficacy is the belief in one's capacity to organize and execute actions necessary to manage prospective situations. This belief significantly influences how individuals approach goals, tasks, and challenges across different domains of life.Psychological and Educational ImpactsIndividuals with strong self-efficacy are more resilient in the face of difficulties. They are more likely to adopt effective problem-solving strategies, persist through obstacles, and regulate emotions such as...

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Task Interruption and Resumption Paradigm for Testing the Activation and Pursuit of an Abstract Thinking Goal
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The Motivated Self: Self-Affirmation and the Better-Than-Average Effect.

Corey L Guenther1, Elizabeth A Timberlake

  • 1Creighton University, Omaha, NE, USA.

Personality & Social Psychology Bulletin
|August 24, 2012
PubMed
Summary

Self-affirmation, a psychological technique, reduces the "better-than-average" effect by making self-ratings more modest. This finding supports motivational theories of self-enhancement in judgment and behavior.

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Area of Science:

  • Psychology
  • Social Psychology
  • Cognitive Psychology

Background:

  • Individuals often exhibit a "better-than-average" effect, believing they surpass others in various traits and abilities.
  • This tendency is debated: some attribute it to self-enhancement motives, while others propose non-motivational explanations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate whether self-affirmation can reduce the magnitude of the "better-than-average" effect.
  • To explore the underlying mechanisms contributing to this reduction.

Main Methods:

  • Two studies were conducted involving participants affirming an important self-aspect.
  • Self-ratings and comparative judgments were assessed before and after the self-affirmation manipulation.

Main Results:

  • The "better-than-average" effect was significantly reduced after self-affirmation in both studies.
  • Study 2 indicated that this reduction was mainly due to participants making more modest self-ratings.

Conclusions:

  • Findings support motivational accounts of self-enhancement, suggesting self-affirmation can temper biased self-perceptions.
  • The results have implications for understanding the role of self-enhancement in human judgment and behavior.