Implementing cognitive strategies for interpersonal esteem enhancement

Three experiments (N_total= 924) examine message implementation of distinct cognitive strategies for supporting esteem-threatened others: interpersonal reappraisal (IR), cognitive acceptance (CA) and cognitive rejection (CR). We used a message evaluation method to test effects of implementation. Across three experiments, participants read IR messages containing IR content only, IR messages incorporated with CA and/or CR content, and messages incorporating these content forms in other ways. These messages were composed in response to hypothetical (Studies 1-2) or recalled (Study 3) situations that were perceived as esteem-threatening. Participants rated the effectiveness of these messages for esteem enhancement. IR content alone produced the most substantial and robust effects on esteem enhancement (Studies 1-3). Adding CA content to IR only messages did not make messages more effective (CA + IR messages ≈ IR messages; Studies 1-3). Adding CR content to IR messages tarnished message effects (CR + IR messages < IR messages; Studies 2 and 3), but the tarnishing effect could be avoided by further adding CA content to CR + IR messages (CA + CR + IR or CR + CA + IR messages ≈ IR messages). Differences were mediated by perceived threat to freedom, experience of reactance, and message processing (Study 3). Findings clarify effects of distinct cognitive strategies and shed light on their underexplored combinations.