Paper Title
When ego threats lead to self-regulation failure: Negative consequences of high self-esteem.
Keywords
- Ego Threat
- Self-Regulation Failure
- High Self-Esteem
- Inflated Assessments
- Risky Goals
- Performance Capabilities
- Egotistical Illusions
- Goal Setting
- Performance Contingencies
- Reward System
- Self-Regulatory Processes
- Ego Threat Effects
- Self-Esteem Consequences
- Risk Management
- Self-Control
Research Impact Tools
Publication Info
Volume: 64 | Issue: 1 | Pages: 141–156
Published On
March, 1993
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Abstract
The tendency for people with high self-esteem to make inflated assessments and predictions about themselves carries the risk of making commitments that exceed capabilities, thus leading to failure. Ss chose their performance contingencies in a framework where larger rewards were linked to a greater risk of failure. In the absence of ego threat, Ss with high self-esteem showed superior self-regulation: They set appropriate goals and performed effectively. Ego threat, however, caused Ss with high self-esteem to set inappropriate, risky goals that were beyond their performance capabilities so they ended up with smaller rewards than Ss with low self-esteem. The results indicate the danger of letting egotistical illusions interfere with self-regulation processes. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)
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