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Showing papers in "Self and Identity in 2017"


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examined whether boredom can subsequently cause prosocial intentions if the corresponding prosocial behavior is seen as purposeful and found that boredom, which is characterized by a search for meaning, promoted prosocial intention when the corresponding behavior was seen as highly meaningful.
Abstract: Boredom is typically regarded a nuisance. Past research on boredom depicts this common emotion as a correlate of many detrimental psychological and social factors, including addiction, depression, discrimination, and aggression. We present a more nuanced perspective on boredom. Specifically, we propose and test that state boredom serves an important self-regulatory function with the potential to foster positive interpersonal consequences: It signals a lack of purpose in activity and fosters a search for meaningful engagement. We examined whether boredom can subsequently cause prosocial intentions if the corresponding prosocial behavior is seen as purposeful. As predicted, boredom, which is characterized by a search for meaning (pilot study), promoted prosocial intentions (Experiment 1), in particular when the corresponding behavior was seen as highly meaningful (Experiment 2). Our novel findings suggest that boredom can have desirable consequences and recasts this emotion as not merely good or bad...

63 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This article explored people's everyday practice of counteractive control and found that strong temptation prompted stronger resistance and restraint of behaviors, compared to those cases where no conflict was perceived, indicating that a strong desire toward temptation intensified perception of conflict, and perceived conflict bolstered the value of goals that were in disagreement with the temptation.
Abstract: The present research explored people’s everyday practice of counteractive control. Experience sampling was used to test our prediction that strong temptations would promote self-control. Participants were 237 Japanese citizens with ages ranging from 18 to 69. Results indicated that perceived temptation prompted stronger resistance and restraint of behaviors, compared to those cases where no conflict was perceived. In addition, multilevel path analysis revealed the underlying process such that (a) a strong desire toward temptation intensified perception of conflict; (b) perceived conflict bolstered the value of goals that were in disagreement with the temptation; and (c) highly valued goals promoted self-control (i.e., stronger resistance and hence less yielding to temptation).

57 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examined whether a five-minute mindfulness exercise would cultivate empathy relative to two equally brief control exercises: relaxation and mind-wandering, and found that mindfulness improved mind reading in non-narcissistic people, but reduced it in narcissistic people.
Abstract: Cultivating empathy is a presumed benefit of mindfulness, but this possibility has rarely been investigated experimentally. We examined whether a five-minute mindfulness exercise would cultivate empathy relative to two equally brief control exercises: relaxation and mind-wandering. We further examined whether mindfulness would be especially beneficial for people with autistic or narcissistic traits. Results showed no effect of mindfulness relative to both control conditions on mind reading, empathic responding, or prosocial behavior. Mindfulness effects were independent of autistic traits. Unexpectedly, people higher in autistic traits did show increased prosocial behavior across conditions. Intriguingly, mindfulness improved mind reading in non-narcissistic people, but reduced it in narcissistic people. These findings question whether a brief mindfulness exercise is sufficient for building empathy.

53 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This paper developed the Brief State Humility Scale, which demonstrates strong construct validity and good reliability, is sensitive to experimental manipulation, and is uncorrelated with social desirability, and revealed links between state humility and intrapersonal processes.
Abstract: Humility is a core psychological process theoretically marked by low self-focus, secure identity, and balanced awareness of strengths and weaknesses. We began with a consensual definition of humility before theoretically unpacking it. First, using 25 samples and 2622 adults, we developed the Brief State Humility Scale, which demonstrates strong construct validity and good reliability, is sensitive to experimental manipulation, and is uncorrelated with social desirability. Second, using this measure, we replicated previously reported relationships involving interpersonal processes; revealed links between state humility and intrapersonal processes (e.g. affect, creativity, and personality); and demonstrated key theoretical differences between state humility and modesty. This framework highlights new avenues for humility research and suggests how humility plays a critical role in emotional experience.

46 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The authors found that the more genes twins share, the more they care about one another, and that a psychological mediator of such genetic influences, identity fusion, is a visceral sense of oneness with them.
Abstract: Researchers have shown that the more genes twins share, the more they care about one another. Here, we examine a psychological mediator of such genetic influences, “identity fusion” (a visceral sense of oneness with them). Results supported this hypothesis. Relative to dizygotic twins, monozygotic twins reported stronger fusion and elevated desire to have contact and share experiences with their twin (Study 1), to forgive and grant favors to their twin after being disappointed by him/her (Study 2), and willingness to make sacrifices for their twin (Study 3). Fusion with the twin mediated the impact of zygosity on these outcomes. These findings demonstrate that genetic relatedness fosters a powerful feeling of union with one’s twin that predicts sharing, tolerance, and self-sacrificial behavior toward him or her.

34 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Based on uncertainty-identity theory, Wang et al. as mentioned in this paper established a measurement of social identity uncertainty, which is a unique type of self-uncertainty related to group identification.
Abstract: The following paper establishes a measurement of social identity uncertainty. Based on uncertainty-identity theory, we propose social identity uncertainty is a unique type of self-uncertainty related to group identification. We further believe social identity uncertainty is comprised of two components: identity-uncertainty (i.e., uncertainty about one’s group identity) and membership-uncertainty (i.e., uncertainty about being a group member). Study 1 (N = 314) and Study 2 (N = 299) explored and confirmed that two subcomponents exist within social identity uncertainty. Study 3 (N = 295) developed convergent validity using various social identity-related constructs, and discriminant validity using dispositional constructs. Overall, we found (a) identity-uncertainty and membership-uncertainty are distinct constructs, and (b) our measurements have both convergent and discriminant validity.

30 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This paper examined how lay theories about breadth of family inclusion (i.e., including a broader variety of entities in one's definition of family) were related to family experiences and to well-being.
Abstract: Family has profound meaning and represents the most important ingroup for most people, yet, we know very little about how lay perceptions of family affect well-being. In the current work, we examined how lay theories about breadth of family inclusion (i.e., including a broader variety of entities in one’s definition of family) were related to family experiences and to well-being. In Study 1, we found that lay theories about family as including a wider variety of entities (i.e., greater breadth of inclusion) predicted more positive family evaluations, more positive qualities, and greater family importance. In Study 2, we found that greater breadth of family inclusion was associated with greater resilience in the face of stress. Finally, in Study 3 we used an experimental manipulation of breadth of family inclusion, establishing that broader views of family produced greater social needs fulfillment. Implications for the role of ingroup memberships and identities in promoting well-being are discussed.

26 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The authors examined the reactions of Spanish participants to three negative historic events: a corruption scandal involving the Royal Family and two separatist efforts by a prosperous region of Spain, and found that negative events weaken some aspects of alignment with the group, including collective ties and fusion, but not other aspects, such as relational ties and endorsement of pro-group behaviors.
Abstract: We examined the reactions of Spanish participants to three negative historic events: a corruption scandal involving the Royal Family and two separatist efforts by a prosperous region of Spain. Although average fusion scores declined following these events, these declines were limited to sentiments toward the group category – collective ties-; they did not tarnish sentiments toward individual group members – relational ties. Moreover, strongly fused persons continued committed to remain in the group and act agentically by fighting and dying for it. Finally, rank orderings of fusion scores remained stable. These findings demonstrate that negative events weaken some aspects of alignment with the group, including collective ties and fusion, but not other aspects, such as relational ties and endorsement of pro-group behaviors.

26 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors focused on two factors which may influence self-concept clarity and explain differential experiences following role transitions and found that among individuals who experienced low levels of positive emotions after a role transition, greater self-change predicted reduced selfconcept clarity.
Abstract: Individuals experience numerous transitions across various roles during their lives. These role transitions can be disruptive to the way individuals view their identity, and thus their well-being; however, role transitions do not affect all individuals equally. Therefore, in the current work, we focused on two factors which may influence self-concept clarity and explain differential experiences following role transitions. We tested the relationship between the amount of self-change and positive emotions in reaction to a role transition predicting self-concept clarity, including both role entries (e.g. parenthood/new relationships, Studies 1–4) and role exits (e.g. divorce/job loss, Studies 3 and 4). Across several studies and all role transitions, we found that among individuals who experienced low levels of positive emotions after a role transition, greater self-change predicted reduced self-concept clarity. Among individuals who experienced higher levels of positive emotionality, this associatio...

24 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This article explored the possibility that a basic component of mental imagery, spatial visual perspective, may be an important determinant of people's decisions to spend now or save for the future and found that rates of saving were enhanced when a distant-future event was generated from a third-person vs. first-person vantage point, an effect mediated by visual bodily awareness during mental imagery.
Abstract: Despite increased longevity, many people fail to save the funds necessary to support their retirement. In an attempt both to elucidate and remedy this failing, research exploring the “future-self continuity” hypothesis has revealed that temporal discounting is decreased and saving increased when connections between one’s current and future self are strengthened. Here, we explored the possibility that a basic component of mental imagery – spatial visual perspective – may be an important determinant of people’s decisions to spend now or save for the future. The results of two experiments supported this prediction. Rates of saving were enhanced when a distant-future event was generated from a third-person vs. first-person vantage point, an effect that was mediated by visual bodily awareness during mental imagery.

23 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The Circumplex of Identity Formation Modes (COFM) model as discussed by the authors is designed to integrate the various concepts describing identity formation in the Erikson-Marcia tradition, including exploration, consolidation, socialization, Normativity, Petrification, Diffusion, Defiance, and Moratorivity.
Abstract: The paper presents the Circumplex of Identity Formation Modes, which is designed to integrate the various concepts describing identity formation in the Erikson–Marcia tradition. The theoretical foundations of the model were formulated based on (1) analysis of the definitions of constructs currently used in the literature on identity development, (2) redefinition of exploration and commitment (basic constructs proposed by Marcia to describe identity formation), and (3) the relationship between identity constructs and personality metatraits. The new model incorporates circumplex structure from other personality models and distinguishes eight modes of identity formation: Exploration, Consolidation, Socialization, Normativity, Petrification, Diffusion, Defiance, and Moratorivity. In this way, our proposal resolves problems inherent in the theory of identity formation offering a synthesis of models developed in the Erikson–Marcia tradition.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examined how self-concept organization may differ among individuals with different levels of dissociation proneness and found that individuals with high levels of selfconcept proneness have lower selfconcept clarity and compartmentalize self-aspects.
Abstract: Dissociative pathology is characterized by an altered sense of self. Still, it remains unclear (a) whether the altered sense of self is also associated with non-pathological dissociation as well and (b) whether this potential association is an intrinsic connection or a consequence of other related constructs, including childhood trauma. This study addresses this question by examining how self-concept organization may differ among individuals with different levels of dissociation proneness. The structure of self-concept was operationalized by various indexes of self-concept integration and differentiation. Results showed that individuals high in dissociation proneness have lower self-concept clarity and compartmentalize self-aspects with more polarized evaluations. Notably, the association between dissociation proneness and evaluative self-compartmentalization held after controlling for childhood trauma, anxiety, and depression. This characteristic self-concept organization can be an attribute of n...

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examined how implicit and explicit self-esteem and time spent drinking with friends influence college student drinking after a friendship threat manipulation and found that low implicit selfesteem may be a risk factor for drinking.
Abstract: The current study examined how implicit and explicit self-esteem and time spent drinking with friends influence college student drinking after a friendship threat manipulation. Poisson regression analyses revealed that students with low implicit self-esteem showed a greater increase in alcohol consumption when drinking with friends after experiencing a friendship threat than in the control condition. These effects were not found among students with high implicit self-esteem. A similar, but weaker, pattern emerged when testing the independent effects of explicit self-esteem. We suggest that low self-esteem students are drinking because they lack the self-resources to deal with unmet belongingness needs. These findings suggest that low implicit self-esteem may be a risk factor for college student drinking.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Intrapersonal Curiosity (InC) involves inquisitively introspecting to better understand one's inner self as mentioned in this paper, and a pool of 39 face-valid InC items was administered to 1005 participants.
Abstract: Intrapersonal Curiosity (InC) involves inquisitively introspecting to better understand one’s inner self. A pool of 39 face-valid InC items was administered to 1005 participants, along with other c...

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This paper found that attributing responsibility for a romantic breakup to the self can have dual effects on psychological adjustment, exacerbating disruptive thoughts and feelings, yet also increasing the likelihood of positive changes.
Abstract: Attributing responsibility for a romantic breakup to the self can have dual effects on psychological adjustment, exacerbating disruptive thoughts and feelings, yet also increasing the likelihood of positive changes. Three studies (N = 441) examined whether these dual effects associated with attributing responsibility for a romantic breakup to the self are moderated by self-compassion. Supporting this assertion, trait self-compassion predicted better romantic outlook (Studies 1 & 2), and induced self-compassion predicted greater intended future romantic partner appreciation (Study 3), among people who attributed greater responsibility of a breakup to themselves. In addition, higher trait (Study 2) and induced self-compassion (Study 3) boosted self-improvement motivation with regard to future relationships among participants who attributed responsibility of a romantic breakup to themselves. These adjustment-promoting tendencies associated with self-compassion held controlling for a range of variable...

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The revised compensation model of aggression as discussed by the authors posits that bullying is driven by defensive personality, not low self-esteem, and it has been found that bullies and bully-victims score higher in defensive egotism than pure victims and controls but did not differ from each other.
Abstract: The revised compensation model of aggression posits that bullying is driven by defensive personality, not low self-esteem. Supporting research has failed to distinguish bullies vs. bully-victims (i.e., bullies who are also victims). In three studies with middle school students on two continents, pure bullies and bully-victims scored higher in defensive egotism than pure victims and controls but, unexpectedly, did not differ from each other. Low self-esteem was linked with victimization, high self-esteem with defending victims. Boys were higher than girls in bullying and physical aggression; girls were higher in social than physical aggression. Part of the lack of success of anti-bullying programs may be their failure to accommodate different types of bullies and different forms of bullying.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This article investigated how group members subjectively feel about their prosocial vs. harmful intergroup behaviors and whether these behaviors can represent who they are more globally as a person, and found that participants who conform to a pro-discrimination norm reported compartmentalizing this behavior to a greater extent than participants who conformed to apro-merit norm.
Abstract: This research investigates how group members subjectively feel about their prosocial vs. harmful intergroup behaviors, and whether these behaviors can represent who they are more globally as a person. Three experiments tested how group norms (pro-merit/parity vs. pro-discrimination) and congruence with these norms predicted compartmentalization of these intergroup behaviors in the self and intra-individual conflict. Experiment 1 (N = 122) revealed that participants who conformed to a pro-discrimination norm reported compartmentalizing this behavior to a greater extent than participants who conformed to a pro-merit norm. Experiments 2 (N = 149) and 3 (N = 222) replicated and extended these findings in real and conflictual intergroup settings, also over and above the effect of relevant superordinate norms. Mediated moderation analyses also revealed that following discriminatory norms was associated with more intra-individual conflict, and that this conflict in turn predicted higher compartmentalization.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present the empirical verification of the Circumplex of Identity Formation Modes proposed by Cieciuch and Topolewska (current issue), which implies eight identity formation modes, characterized as ways of identity management: Exploration, Consolidation, Socialization, Normativity, Petrification, Diffusion, Defiance, and Moratorivity.
Abstract: The paper presents the empirical verification of the Circumplex of Identity Formation Modes proposed by Cieciuch and Topolewska (current issue). The model implies eight identity formation modes, characterized as ways of identity management: Exploration, Consolidation, Socialization, Normativity, Petrification, Diffusion, Defiance, and Moratorivity. The proposed model builds a basis for the synthesis of knowledge on identity formation gathered in various models developed in the Erikson–Marcia tradition. The three studies were conducted: two involving college students (N = 371 and N = 466) and one involving young adults (N = 715). The studies corroborated (1) the eight-factor structure of identity formation modes both among students and young adults, (2) the circular organization of the modes in both age groups, (3) a sinusoidal relationship between the modes and well-being as an additional test for the circular structure of the differentiated modes, and (4) the possibility to apply the proposed mod...

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is suggested that positive self-schema (in the form of self-compassion) may contribute to the downstream mental health effects of both adaptive HD and maladaptive DO.
Abstract: Depression is highly prevalent among college students and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Dependency is among the known personality traits that predict an elevated risk for depression. Prior research has focused on the depressogenic role of self-critical thoughts among destructive overdependent (DO) individuals but has not considered other internal processes (such as self-compassion) that might influence mental health. The current report examined whether self-compassion had either moderating or mediating effects on the links between dependency and depression in college students. In a cross-sectional study, 85 college students completed measures of dependency, self-compassion, and depressive symptoms. Analyses suggested that self-compassion mediated both the effect of DO on depressive symptoms and the effect of healthy dependency (HD) on lower depressive symptoms; self-compassion did not moderate links between dependency and depressive symptoms. Our exploratory findings suggest that positive self-schema (in the form of self-compassion) may contribute to the downstream mental health effects of both adaptive HD and maladaptive DO.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, a large-scale longitudinal mental training study was conducted to examine whether learning different contemplative practices can change the emotional content of people's self-concept as assessed through emotional word use in the Twenty Statement Test.
Abstract: In a large-scale longitudinal mental training study, we examined whether learning different contemplative practices can change the emotional content of people’s self-concept as assessed through emotional word use in the Twenty Statement Test. During three 3-month training modules, participants learned distinct practices targeting attentional, socio-affective, or socio-cognitive capacities, or were re-tested. Emotional word use specifically increased after socio-cognitive training including perspective-taking on self and others, compared to attentional and socio-affective compassion-based trainings, and retest-controls. Overall, our findings demonstrate training-induced behavioral plasticity of the emotional self-concept content in healthy adults and could indicate greater emotional granularity. These findings can inform future interventions in mental health, given that alterations in self-referential processing are a common contributing factor in psychopathology.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This paper showed that the effect of the direction of thoughts (positive vs. negative) on self-evaluation was greater after receiving an aggressive (vs. control) priming induction.
Abstract: Past research has shown that exposure to aggression is associated with more negative responses toward others and also toward the self. In the present research, we argue that aggressive priming not only influences the content of thoughts (primary cognition) but also can influence how people think about their thoughts (secondary or meta-cognition) under some circumstances. Two experiments showed that the effect of the direction of thoughts (positive vs. negative) on self-evaluation was greater after receiving an aggressive (vs. control) priming induction. Among participants listing negative self-attributes, those in the aggressive (vs. control) prime condition reported more negative self-attitudes. However, among participants listing positive traits, the aggressive (vs. neutral) primes led to more favorable self-attitudes, reversing traditional effects of aggression on self-evaluation.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The authors found that participants minimized the extent to which their bad characteristics reflected what kind of people they were, predicted that they would improve more in the future than would others with the same faults, and claimed that others have done worse things to them than they have to others.
Abstract: Three studies explored whether self-enhancement is precluded when people recognize or even exaggerate their worst faults and behaviors. Even when acknowledging their faults, participants minimized the extent to which their bad characteristics reflected what kind of people they were, predicted that they would improve more in the future than would others with the same faults, claimed that others have done worse things to them than they have to others, and indicated that others are more likely to repeat the same bad behaviors in the future than themselves. Observers who read actors’ descriptions of their own misdeeds and those of others also saw the things that were done to actors as worse than the things actors had done.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: These studies suggested that people with compassionate goals have high RSCs and that they also develop higher levels of RSC by being responsive to relationship partners.
Abstract: Although research has examined the consequences of relational self-construal, little is known about what psychological factors predict it. Four studies examined the association between compassionate goals and relational self-construal. Study 1 showed that compassionate goals are positively associated with relational self-construal in college students. Study 2 replicated this association among adults in romantic relationships. Studies 3 and 4 showed that compassionate goals predict increased relational self-construals over time in college roommates. Moreover, Studies 2-4 showed that responsiveness to relationship partners statistically mediated the association between compassionate goals and self-construal. These studies suggested that people with compassionate goals have highly relational self-construals and that they also develop higher levels of relational self-construals by being responsive to relationship partners.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This article found no evidence of vulnerability among participants who base self-worth on academics when avoidance self-validation goals were salient, and instead, it was when they aim to avoid demonstrating inability that participants' academically contingent selfworth most reliably predicted vulnerability.
Abstract: When are people who base their self-worth on academic competence vulnerable to negative outcomes such as anxiety and underperformance? One answer, according to decades of achievement goal research, seems obvious: when they aim to avoid demonstrating inability (called avoidance self-validation goals). Less clear is whether such vulnerability also exists when aiming to demonstrate ability (approach self-validation goals). Surprisingly, two studies found no evidence of vulnerability among participants who base self-worth on academics when avoidance self-validation goals were salient. Instead, it was when approach self-validation goals were salient that participants’ academically contingent self-worth most reliably predicted vulnerability. These results suggest that, within domains of contingency, people worry more about self-enhancement afforded by approach self-validation goals than about self-protection afforded by avoidance self-validation goals.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This article showed that local comparisons with one or a few people in the immediate environment have a stronger influence on self-evaluations than general comparisons with larger samples and that local comparison has a significant indirect effect on persistence via intrinsic motivation.
Abstract: Previous research indicates that local comparisons with one or a few people in the immediate environment have a stronger influence on self-evaluations than general comparisons with larger samples. Two studies examined whether this local dominance effect extends to intrinsic motivation. Study 1 suggests that local comparisons have a stronger effect on both self-evaluations and task enjoyment than general comparisons. Study 2 suggests that local comparisons have a stronger effect on intrinsic motivation than general comparisons and that local comparisons have a significant indirect effect on persistence via intrinsic motivation. Altogether, the present findings are among the first to demonstrate the contribution of local social comparisons to intrinsic motivation. We highlight the implications of these findings for social comparison theories.

Journal ArticleDOI
Abstract: The death of a close other (DOCO) is perhaps the most difficult experience that people endure. According to terror management theory (TMT), people manage the potentially terrorizing awareness of their mortality by immersing in cultural worldviews that allow them to feel like valuable members of a meaningful universe who may have some existence or trace after death. Although TMT has potential implications for understanding how people cope with DOCO, few studies have examined this possibility. We report results from four studies showing that, in line with TMT, students who experienced DOCO reported stronger valuing of their identification with their in-groups, which in turn was associated with higher levels of self-esteem. These findings shed new light on the social-psychological dynamics of DOCO.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Two studies examined (what seemed to be) a relatively straightforward prediction that mortality salience would increase belief in a true self as discussed by the authors, which was based on existing evidence that th...
Abstract: Two studies examined (what seemed to be) a relatively straightforward prediction that mortality salience would increase belief in a true self. This hypothesis was based on existing evidence that th...

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This article found that perceivers were better at discriminating between real/fake smiles displayed by outgroup than ingroup members, and that participants were not only more accurate, but also faster to make real or fake judgments for outgroup rather than inggroup targets.
Abstract: Ingroup memberships are an important component of the self-concept and people favor their ingroups on a variety of evaluative and behavioral dimensions. Recent research has extended these ingroup favoritism effects to face processing, including an ingroup advantage in emotion identification. The current research was designed to extend these past demonstrations of ingroup favoring biases in face processing to a novel domain: discriminating between genuine and posed smiles. However, across two experiments an unexpected finding emerged: perceivers were better at discriminating between real/fake smiles displayed by outgroup than ingroup members. Experiment 2 also finds that participants are not only more accurate, but also faster to make real/fake judgments for outgroup than ingroup targets. Explanations for these unexpected findings are discussed.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In two experiments, groups’ relative status and competence stereotypes were manipulated and members of a low-status group were self-protective, favoring the in-group over the out-group under both non-contingent and contingent outcomes.
Abstract: People often favor groups they belong to over those beyond the in-group boundary. Yet, in-group favoritism does not always occur, and people will sometimes favor an out-group over the in-group. We delineate theoretically when in-group favoritism (i.e., self-protection) and out-group favoritism (i.e., benevolence) should occur. In two experiments, groups’ relative status and competence stereotypes were manipulated; groups’ outcomes were non-contingent in Experiment 1 and contingent in Experiment 2. When allocating reward, members of a low-status group were self-protective, favoring the in-group over the out-group under both non-contingent and contingent outcomes. Those with high status benevolently favored the out-group when outcomes were non-contingent, but were self-protective with contingent outcomes. People were willing to engage in social activities with an out-group member regardless of competence. However, when task collaboration had implications for the self, those with low status preferred...

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This article explored whether attachment style predicted evening Facebook use and whether this effect was moderated by daily interpersonal conflict, finding that high anxiety participants reported spending significantly more time on Facebook at night, regardless of daily conflict.
Abstract: Using a daily diary methodology we explored whether attachment style predicted evening Facebook use and whether this effect was moderated by daily interpersonal conflict. High anxiety participants reported spending significantly more time on Facebook at night, regardless of daily conflict. Conversely, participants high in avoidance only reported increased time on Facebook on nights following days of more (vs. less) conflict. Daily conflict did not influence time spent in face-to-face interactions for avoidant participants. Interestingly, increased time on Facebook led to lower self-esteem next day , but increased time in face-to-face interactions led to higher self-esteem. Results suggest people high in avoidance use Facebook as an indirect way to seek connection following conflict, but, ironically, Facebook fails to fulfill avoidant’s belongingness needs.