Self-Enhancement Tendencies Among People With High Explicit Self-Esteem: The Moderating Role of Implicit Self-Esteem
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2003
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
https://doi.org/10.1080/15298860309029
Abstract
Consistent with recent research on initials-preferences, we assumed that people's preferences for their initials reflect an implicit form of self-esteem that buffers them against challenges to their self-worth. Accordingly, we proposed that high self-esteem persons who demonstrated weak initials-preferences would be particularly likely to engage in compensatory self-enhancement activities. Results of two studies revealed converging support for this prediction: Among people high in explicit self-esteem, those with weaker initials-preferences displayed more unrealistic optimism, stronger preferences for an excessively positive personality profile, and smaller actual-ideal self-discrepancies. Findings are discussed in terms of the distinction between secure high self-esteem—which is generally linked with psychological health—and fragile high self-esteem—which is generally associated with personal and interpersonal difficulties.
Was this content written or created while at USF?
No
Citation / Publisher Attribution
Self and Identity, v. 2, issue 3, p. 169-187
Scholar Commons Citation
Bosson, Jennifer K.; Brown, Ryan P.; Zeigler-Hill, Virgil; and Swann, William B. Jr., "Self-Enhancement Tendencies Among People With High Explicit Self-Esteem: The Moderating Role of Implicit Self-Esteem" (2003). Psychology Faculty Publications. 1191.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/psy_facpub/1191
