The pupillometric response as a parameter of self-esteem

Investigated the relationship between self-esteem and the pupillometric response. Because a positive correlation has been established between pupillary dilation and positive interest in an observed stimulus, it was hypothesized that self-esteem would be correlated positively with the pupillometric response when Ss (N = 82) viewed photographs of themselves. Results indicated that self-esteem was related to the pupillometric response only for females. The relationship, however, was opposite to that predicted. The greater the pupillometric index, the poorer the self-esteem. It is suggested that in a situation in which implicit anxiety states are involved, sympathetic nervous system activity predominates over the interest value of the stimulus. It may be that females more than males are constitutionally prone to exhibit this sympathetic reaction and/or are more responsive to the body image properties inherent in the stimulus photographs.