Preferences for and evaluation of self-relevant information depending on the elaboration of the self-schemata involved

Abstract

Previous findings have shown that some reactions (e.g. satisfaction with feedback) are guided by self-enhancement theory, whereas other reactions (e.g. perceived feedback accuracy) have been shown to follow predictions of self-consistency theory. The Integrative Self-Schema Model (ISSM) assumes that these effects should be moderated by the elaboration of the self-schema involved: This assumption was tested in an experimental study: 72 participants received fictitious feedback on different personality dimensions allegedly based on an adjective checklist. This feedback was either consistent with self-perceptions, more positive than expected, or more negative than expected, and addressed highly elaborated (schematic) or less elaborated (aschematic) personality dimensions. Satisfaction, feedback accuracy and interest in further information were analysed as dependent variables. The experimental results clearly confirmed the hypotheses derived from the ISSM for satisfaction and perceived feedback accuracy. A self-consistency effect regarding perceived feedback accuracy was found only for feedback on schematic dimensions but was attenuated on aschematic dimensions. A self-enhancement effect regarding satisfaction was found only on aschematic dimensions. This finding was reversed on schematic dimensions. Finally, interest in further information did not follow the predictions made by the ISSM. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.