Exploring Asymmetries in Self-Concept Change After Discrepant Feedback.

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Social Psychology
• Self-Concept Research

Background:

• Self-concept change can be triggered by feedback discrepant from one's self-view.
• The differential impact of positive versus negative feedback on self-concept change remains underexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate whether negative or positive feedback has a greater effect on self-concept change.
• To examine the role of discrepancy size and improvement opportunities in self-concept adjustment.

Main Methods:

• Four studies involving 1,438 participants were conducted.
• Methods included assessing intentions for self-concept change and actual self-concept change.
• Discrepancy size and feedback valence (positive/negative) were systematically varied.

Main Results:

• Larger discrepancies between self-concept and feedback led to greater self-concept change.
• Negative feedback resulted in significantly larger self-concept change compared to positive feedback.
• No evidence was found that the opportunity for improvement moderated this negativity bias.

Conclusions:

• The study provides robust evidence for a negativity bias in self-concept change.
• This bias appears to be independent of the perceived opportunity for improvement.
• Findings contribute to understanding the psychological mechanisms underlying self-concept adjustment.