TY - JOUR
T1 - The Effects of Self-Esteem and Ego Threat on Interpersonal Appraisals of Men and Women
T2 - A Naturalistic Study
AU - Vohs, Kathleen D.
AU - Heatherton, Todd F.
N1 - Copyright:
Copyright 2008 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.
PY - 2003/11
Y1 - 2003/11
N2 - A naturalistic study examined the effects of self-esteem and threats to the self on interpersonal appraisals. Self-esteem scores, ego threat (operationalized as a substantial decrease in self-esteem across an average of 9 months), and their interaction were used to predict likability and personality perceptions of college men and women. The results revealed a curvilinear function explaining likability: Moderate to low self-esteem men and women were higher in likability when threatened, whereas high self-esteem men were seen as less likable when threatened. Personality ratings indicated that high self-esteem men and women who were threatened were rated highest on Antagonism (i.e., fake, arrogant, unfriendly, rude, and uncooperative). Mediational analyses revealed that differences in Antagonism statistically accounted for differences in likability. These patterns are interpreted with respect to gender and time in interpersonal perceptions as well as naturalistic versus laboratory investigations.
AB - A naturalistic study examined the effects of self-esteem and threats to the self on interpersonal appraisals. Self-esteem scores, ego threat (operationalized as a substantial decrease in self-esteem across an average of 9 months), and their interaction were used to predict likability and personality perceptions of college men and women. The results revealed a curvilinear function explaining likability: Moderate to low self-esteem men and women were higher in likability when threatened, whereas high self-esteem men were seen as less likable when threatened. Personality ratings indicated that high self-esteem men and women who were threatened were rated highest on Antagonism (i.e., fake, arrogant, unfriendly, rude, and uncooperative). Mediational analyses revealed that differences in Antagonism statistically accounted for differences in likability. These patterns are interpreted with respect to gender and time in interpersonal perceptions as well as naturalistic versus laboratory investigations.
KW - Ego threat
KW - Gender
KW - Interpersonal appraisals
KW - Naturalistic investigations
KW - Self-esteem
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U2 - 10.1177/0146167203255767
DO - 10.1177/0146167203255767
M3 - Article
C2 - 15189578
AN - SCOPUS:0142246226
VL - 29
SP - 1407
EP - 1420
JO - Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin
JF - Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin
SN - 0146-1672
IS - 11
ER -