the effects of positive and negative self- presentation on female self- esteem and relationship...
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The Effects of Positive and Negative Self- Presentation on Female Self- Esteem and Relationship Choices
Stephanie Gunderson Robyn Hooker
Hanover College
Self-Presentation and Women
• The statements individuals make about themselves that reflect upon their self-concept and self-esteem.
• Women’s self-presentation is synonymous with their actual self-concept when talking to other females and they tend to disclose more about themselves (Leary et al., 1994) .
Consequences of Self-Presentation
• Also aids in forming the impressions that others can make about the speaker (Leary, Nezlek, & Downs, 1994).
• Positive self-presenters expect others to like
them, causing negative opinions (Baumeister, 1982).
Self-Concept as Tool for Judgment
Children named as friends those classmates who performed at a lower level than they themselves did on activities they considered important to them due to comparison processes (Tesser, Campbell, & Smith, 1984).
Perceptions of Women’s Self-Presentation
Britton, Martz, and Bazzini (2006) Participants were shown fat talk dialogue and
were asked how would a woman respond: – Self-Accepting of her body– No information provided about body– Self-degrading about her body
Hypotheses
We expect that participants will rate as more likeable and more likely want to be friends with those individuals who displayed more negative self- presentations rather than those who displayed positive self- presentation.
We also expect that participants with high self-esteem will prefer a person who displayed positive self-presentation and those with low self-esteem will prefer a person who displayed negative self-presentation.
Participants
• 33 female college students• Ages: 18-22• Ethnicity: Mostly Caucasian
Procedure
Listen and read dialogue situation between four women– First woman puts herself down– Three Responders:
• Self-degrading• Self-accepting• No information about self-concept
The Dialogue
Abby: Ugh, I am so fat.Ashley: Please, do you see how unattractive I am?Emily: I am so lucky to have good genes to keep me pretty.Hannah: Can we please get back to studying?
Method: Questionnaires
The Likeability Questionnaire – To measure the perceptions that the participants
had towards each confederates’ likeability in the study.
• How likely is it that you would be friends?• Do you feel this person is genuine?• Do you think this person has a number of good
qualities?
Method: Questionnaires
The Rosenberg Self- Esteem Scale– On the whole, I am satisfied with myself.– I feel that I’m a person of worth.– I wish I could have more respect for myself.
Likeability Means
Neutral Self- accepting Self- degrading
F(2,30) = 8.49, p = .001
More Likeable
Less Likeable
Likeability by Self-Esteem Levels
Neutral Self- accepting Self- degrading
Likeability by Self-Esteem Levels
Neutral Self- accepting Self- degrading
p = .208
Friendship Choice
F(2,31) = 27.73, p < .001
Neutral Self-accepting Self-degrading
More likely
Less likely
Friendship Choice by Self-Esteem Levels
Neutral Self-accepting Self-degrading
Friendship Choice by Self-Esteem Levels
Neutral Self-accepting Self-degrading
p = .05
Discussion
• Hypothesis supported: Participants preferred self- degrading over self- accepting individual. – Neutral individual received highest likeability
ratings.• Preference for neutral individual could be due
to participants’ not having enough information about her to make strong judgment.
Discussion
• Hypothesis about participants’ self- esteem not supported. – Marginal significance with high self- esteem and
liking Emily (self- accepting individual).• Comparison processes evident in friendship
choice for Ashley (self-degrading).
Limitations• Small sample size • Self-accepting woman may have been seen as
narcissistic by participants and therefore a flaw• Participants could be responding differently than
they would in actual situations.– More qualitative studies with small groups of
friends may be beneficial.• Homogeneity of sample: All Caucasian
– Different ethnicities could give different responses.
Questions ?