Self-esteem and perceptions of conveyed impressions: Is negative affectivity associated with greater realism?

Abstract

Two studies examined the notion that negative affectivity (Watson & Clark, 1984) is associated with more accurate perceptions of conveyed impressions in social interactions. In Study 1 (n = 160), low self-esteem (LSE) and high self-esteem (HSE) subjects were paired with either an LSE or an HSE partner. After a 15-min interaction, they rated themselves, their partners, and how they believed their partners would rate them on 20 adjectives related to social competence. Study 2 (n = 40) was identical except that each interaction was observed by 2 observers who rated each participant, and participants also rated how they believed an observer would rate them. LSE subjects exhibited greater accuracy only with respect to the elevation component of observers' ratings; HSE subjects overestimated the positivity of observers' evaluations, whereas LSE subjects were relatively accurate. However, LSE subjects exhibited less overall accuracy with respect to their partners' ratings. We argue that when these results are considered with earlier research, there is no support for the notion of depressive realism in assessing conveyed impressions.

Cites (6)

1. Illusion and well‐being: A social psychological perspective on mental health
   Taylor, Shelley E., Brown, Jonathon D. · 1988 · Psychological Bulletin
2. Negative affectivity: the disposition to experience aversive emotional states
   Watson, David, Clark, Lee A. · 1984 · Psychological Bulletin
3. Judgment of contingency in depressed and nondepressed students: Sadder but wiser?
   Alloy, Lauren B., Abramson, Lyn Y. · 1979 · Journal of Experimental Psychology: General
4. Self-esteem and clarity of the self-concept.
   Campbell, Jennifer D. · 1990 · Journal of Personality and Social Psychology
5. Friends and strangers: Acquaintanceship, agreement, and the accuracy of personality judgment.
   Funder, David C., Colvin, C. Randall · 1988 · Journal of Personality and Social Psychology
6. Functional flexibility: A new conception of interpersonal flexibility.
   Paulhus, Delroy L., Martin, Carol L. · 1988 · Journal of Personality and Social Psychology

Show all 6 references

Cited by (14)

1. Does high self-esteem cause better performance, interpersonal success, happiness, or healthier lifestyles?
   Baumeister, Roy F., Campbell, Jennifer D., Krueger, Joachim I., Vohs, Kathleen D. · 2003 · Psychological Science in the Public Interest
2. Self-concept clarity: Measurement, personality correlates and cultural boundaries
   Campbell, Jennifer D., Trapnell, Paul D., Heine, Steven J., Katz, Ilana M., Lavallee, Loraine F., Lehman, Darrin R. · 1996 · Journal of Personality and Social Psychology
3. Self-esteem and clarity of the self-concept.
   Campbell, Jennifer D. · 1990 · Journal of Personality and Social Psychology
4. Accuracy and bias in self-perception: Individual differences in self-enhancement and the role of narcissism.
   Oliver P. John, Richard W. Robins · 1994 · Journal of Personality and Social Psychology
5. Do people know how others view them? An empirical and theoretical account.
   Kenny, David A., DePaulo, Bella M. · 1993 · Psychological Bulletin

See all 172