Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 11, 2026
08:16
Movement Retraining using Real-time Feedback of Performance
Published on: January 17, 2013
13.9K
Self-Affirmation Theory and Performance Feedback: When Scoring High Makes You Feel Low.
John A Velez1, Michael D Hanus2
11 Department of Journalism and Electronic Media, College of Media & Communication, Texas Tech University , Lubbock, Texas.
Cyberpsychology, Behavior and Social Networking
|November 22, 2016
Summary
Video games can help players accept threatening self-information by acting as a self-affirmation. However, this benefit only applies to players who value video game success, otherwise, it can be harmful.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Human-Computer Interaction
- Media Psychology
Background:
- Negative self-information often triggers defensive responses.
- Self-Affirmation Theory suggests affirming unrelated values can reduce defensiveness.
- Video games may serve as a source of self-affirmation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if video game play can reduce defensiveness after a self-threat.
- To explore the role of valuing video game success in this process.
Main Methods:
- Participants received negative or no feedback on an intelligence test.
- They then played a video game, receiving positive or no feedback.
- Defensiveness was measured by test credibility ratings and self-perceptions.
Main Results:
- Players valuing video game success showed fewer defensive reactions after positive game feedback.
- This suggests video game success acts as an affirmational resource for these players.
- Players not valuing video game success showed increased defensiveness with positive game feedback.
Conclusions:
- Video game success can be an effective self-affirmation strategy for individuals whose identity is tied to gaming.
- For those who do not value gaming, positive feedback may paradoxically increase defensiveness.
- The findings highlight the importance of personal values in moderating the psychological effects of video games.
Related Concept Videos
01:24Sources of Self-Esteem II: Performance Feedback
207
Self-esteem is intricately tied to our perception of competence and our ability to exert control over our lives. One of the primary sources of this perception is performance feedback — the ongoing evaluation of our actions in terms of success and failure. According to Franks and Marolla (1976), people derive self-worth from experiencing themselves as causal agents, capable of achieving goals and overcoming obstacles. This process nurtures a critical component of self-esteem:...
207
03:00Self-Evaluation: Self-Enhancement and Self-Verification
5.8K
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...
5.8K
01:17Strategies of Self-Presentation II: Self-Verification
248
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...
248
01:29Self-Evaluation Maintenance Model
377
The Self-Evaluation Maintenance (SEM) model offers a psychological framework to understand how individuals’ self-esteem is influenced by the achievements of others, particularly those with whom they share close personal bonds. The SEM model operates when personal rather than social identity guides individuals. Central to this model is the notion that individuals have an inherent desire to preserve a favorable self-image, which is continuously shaped by interpersonal comparisons and...
377
01:29Self-Efficacy
303
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...
303
01:30Social Foundations of Self III: Self-Evaluation
221
Self-evaluation is the process by which individuals assess their abilities, behaviors, and characteristics based on feedback from others. Charles H. Cooley observed that a person’s self-perception is primarily influenced by how others see and judge them. He suggested that individuals form their identities based on their interpretations of others' reactions. As a result, social interactions play a crucial role in shaping self-esteem and personal identity. These external evaluations often...
221