Mindset effects on information search in self-evaluation

By Ute C. Bayer, Peter M. Gollwitzer. 2005

111 citations recorded by the source corpus.

Research on mindset theory (GollwitTer & Baye4 1999) observed that people in an implemental mindset show an orientation towards positive illusionary self-evaluations, whereas people in a deliberative mindset opt for accura.te self-evaluations. In the present study, we tested whether these self-evaluative orientations and the associated search for certain types of self-relevant information (feedback) are moderated by low versus high self-views. With high self-view participants we observed the hypothesized mindset effects on information search, but we obtained the reverse pattern for low self-view participants. The latter finding points to self-defensiveness in low self-view individuals. Implications are discussed in terms of the consequences of accurate versus positive illusionary selfevaluations for the successful control of goal pursuits, and individual dffirences in mindset effects. Self-evaluation is guided by different motives or purposes (Pomerantz, Saxon, & Kenney, 2001; Sedikides & Skowronski, 2000; Sedikides & Strube, 1997). First, a concern for self-assessment motivates people to reduce uncertainty about their abilities and personal attributes. This is achieved by performing high diagnostic tasks and searching for diagnostic information (Trope, 1936). Second, people's self-evaiuations also serve self-enhancement concerns. The self is protected from negative information by selectively processing positive information. The valence of feedback and the personal importance of the attribute in question are of primary importance. People guidedby self-enhancement concerns will thus find information diagnostic of success, high ability, or any other positive personal attribute to be more attractive than information diagnostic of failure, low ability, or any other negative personal attribute (Brown & Dutton, 1995; Kunda,1990; Taylor & Brown, 1988). Thfud, people's self-evaluations are also guided by self-verification concerns which aim at endorsing preexisting self-conceptions. Self-verification applies to both positive and negative aspects of the self. People seek verification of their certain self-concepts to a larger degree than $reir uncertain self-concepts. What matters is the consistency between self-concept and feedback rather than selfconcept valence or feedback valence (Swann, 1990,1997). Finally, people are motivated to improve their traits, abilities, skills, health status, or well-being. This motive is conceptually different from the

Subfields: Applied Psychology, Social Psychology, Sociology and Political Science

View Paper: https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/3f41fc79823f03e20186d13ea19f90642d163658

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In Applied Psychology

  1. Frederick Anseel
  2. Filip Lievens
  3. P. Levy
  4. B. Kuvaas

In Social Psychology

  1. Frederick Anseel
  2. Filip Lievens
  3. P. Levy
  4. Brian G. Whitaker
  5. Jason J. Dahling

In Sociology and Political Science

  1. Filip Lievens
  2. P. Levy
  3. Frederick Anseel
  4. Greet van Hoye
  5. T. Macan

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