| Abstract: | Self-consistency and self-verification theories propose individuals communicate consistent self-concepts and resist challenges to self-concepts in order to achieve consistent and predictable social realities. These theories propose that this preference for consistency occurs regardless of self-concept valence. Furthermore, these theories posit that consistency is maintained by self-verification behaviors that reconfirm a challenged self-concept. When self-verification behaviors are blocked, research suggests self-views become more reliant on outside feedback. Contradictory to the consistency view, self-enhancement theory predicts that individuals prefer to think favorably of themselves, particularly when past attempts have been thwarted. These two theoretical perspectives make conflicting predictions regarding receptivity to favorable feedback that is discrepant with a negative self-appraisal. The current project evaluated these perspectives relevant to persons who were high or low on depressive symptoms. All subjects received feedback indicating they ranked highly on a specified trait. Feedback was either consistent or discrepant with previously stated trait appraisals. Half of the subjects in each condition were allowed to self-verify by means of retrieval of trait-related behavioral examples. The remaining subjects participated in a distracting filler task. Thus, the study is a 2 (depressed versus nondepressed) x 2 (consistent versus discrepant favorable feedback) x 2 (self-verify versus distracter task) design. Dependent variables consisted of post-feedback trait ratings, judgments concerning feedback, and mood ratings. Because depressed persons are characterized by a negative self-schema, it was predicted they would neither verify favorable feedback nor self-enhance. Results were as predicted. Post-feedback trait ratings of nondepressed persons became more positive whereas trait ratings of depressed persons changed minimally or became more negative. Depressed persons who were allowed to verify feedback evidenced the lowest post-feedback trait ratings whereas depressed persons who were blocked from verifying evidenced striking increases in post-feedback trait ratings. Results are discussed in terms of consistency effects in line with a congruence between a general self-evaluation and feedback valance. Specific relevance to a depressogenic negative self-schema is also discussed as are implications for clinical practice. |
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