Gathering information about one's own abilities

MAKI WADA

doi:10.4992/psycholres1954.32.36

MAKI WADA

Author information

Keywords: information gathering behavior, ability evaluations, uncertainty reduction, selfesteem, self-conceptions

JOURNAL FREE ACCESS

1990 Volume 32 Issue 1 Pages 36-47

DOI https://doi.org/10.4992/psycholres1954.32.36

Details

Published: February 26, 1990 Received: November 19, 1988 Available on J-STAGE: February 24, 2009 Accepted: July 15, 1989 Advance online publication: - Revised: -
Correction information
Date of correction: February 24, 2009 Reason for correction: - Correction: ABSTRACT Details: Wrong : This study investigated information gathering behavior about one's own abilities. Fifty-five female undergraduates participated in Experiment 1 and the following three hypotheses were examined: (1) both self-enhancement and self-confirmation model predicted that those who were confident in the high level of ability would select information about the high ability level; (2) self-enhancement model predicted that those who were confident in the low level of ability would avoid information about the low ability level while (3) self-confirmation model predicted that those who were confident in the low level of ability would approach information about the low ability level. The result provided some support to the first hypothesis. The second hypothesis was rejected and the third hypothesis was supported. Experiment 2 tested whether or not the ability evaluation would be accepted if the ability evaluation induced a negative impact on the self. The result from seventy male undergraduates showed that those who were at the low level of ability as well as the high and intermediate did not discredit the validity of their evaluation and would likely to accept their ability evaluation. These results were discussed in terms of the self-relevant information gathering behavior.
Right : This study investigated information gathering behavior about one's own abilities. Fifty-five female undergraduates participated in Experiment 1 and the following three hypotheses were examined: (1) both self-enhancement and self-confirmation model predicted that those who were confident in the high level of ability would select information about the high ability level; (2) self-enhancement model predicted that those who were confident in the low level of ability would avoid information about the low ability level while (3) self-confirmation model predicted that those who were confident in the low level of ability would approach information about the low ability level. The result provided some support to the first hypothesis. The second hypothesis was rejected and the third hypothesis was supported. Experiment 2 tested whether or not the ability evaluation would be accepted if the ability evaluation induced a negative impact on the self. The result front seventy male undergraduates showed that those who were at the low level of ability as well as the high and intermediate did not discredit the validity of their evaluation and would likely to accept their ability evaluation. These results were discussed in terms of the self-relevant information gathering behavior.

Date of correction: February 24, 2009 Reason for correction: - Correction: AFFILIATION Details: Wrong :
1) Department of Psychology, College of Humanities and Sciences, Nihon University

Right :
1) Department of Psychology, College of Humanities and Sciences,. Nihon University

Date of correction: February 24, 2009 Reason for correction: - Correction: CITATION Details: Wrong : Atkinson, J. W. 1957 Motivational determinants of risk-taking behavior. Psychological Review, 64, 359-372.
Atkinson, J. W., & Raynor, J. O. (Eds.) 1974 Motivation and achievement. Washington, D. C.: Winston.
Frey, D. 1981 The effect of negative feedback about oneself and cost of information of preferences for information about the source of this feedback. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 17, 42-50.
Frety, D., & Stahlberg, D. 1986 Selection of information after receiving more or less reliable self-threatening information. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 12, 434-441.
Markus, H., & Wurf, E. 1987 The dynamic self-concept: A social psychological perspective. Anuual Review of Psychology, 38, 299-337.
Swann, W. B., Jr. 1983 Self-verification: Bringing social reality into harmony with the self. In J. Suls & A. G. Greenwald (Eds.), Psychological perspectives on the self. Vol. 2 Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. Pp. 33-66.
Swann, W. B., Jr., & Giuliano, T. 1987 Confirmatory search strategies in social interaction: How, when, why and with what consequences. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 5, 511-524.
Swann, W. B., Jr., & Reed, S. J. 1981a Acquiring self knowledge: The search for feedback that fits. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 41, 1119-1128.
Swann, W. B., Jr., & Reed, S. J. 1981b Selfverification processes: How we sustain our selfconceptions. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 17, 351-372.
Swann, W. B., Jr., & Snyder, M. 1980 On translating beliefs into action: Theories of ability and their application in an instructional setting. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 38, 879-888.
Takata, T. 1987 Self-deprecative tendencies in self evaluation through social comparison. Japanese Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 27, 27-36.
Trope, Y. 1983 Self-assessment in achievement behavior. In J. Suls & A. G. Greenwald (Eds.), Psychological perspectives on the self. Vol. 2. Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. Pp. 93-122.
Trope, Y. 1986 Self-enhancement and self-assessment in achievement behavior. In R. M. Sorrentino & E. T. Higgins (Eds.), Handbook of motivation and cognition. New York: Guilford Press. Pp. 350-378.
Weiner, B. 1979 A theory of motivation for some classroom experiences. Journal of Educational Psychology, 71, 1161-1173.
Weiner, B. 1986 Attribution, emotion, and motivation. In R. M. Sorrentino & E. T. Higgins (Eds.), Handbook of motivation and cognition. New York: Guilford Press. Pp. 281-312.

Right : Atkinson, J. W. 1957 Motivational determinants of risk-taking behavior. Psychological Review, 64, 359-372.
Atkinson, J. W., &Raynor, J. O.(Eds.) 1974 Motivation and achievement. Washington, D. C.: Winston.
Frey, D. 1981 The effect of negative feedback about oneself and cost of information of for information about the source of this feedback. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 17, 42-50.
Frey, D., &Stahlberg, D. 1986 Selection of information after receiving more or less reliable self-threatening information. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 12, 434-441.
Markus, H., &Wurf, E. 1987 The dynamic self-concept: A social psychological perspective. Annual Review of Psychology, 38, 299-337.
Swann, W. B., Jr. 1983 Self-verification: Bringing social reality into harmony with the self. In J. Suls&A. G. Greenwald (Eds.), Psychological perspectives on the self. Vol.2 Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. Pp.33-66.
Swann, W. B., Jr., &Giuliano, T. 1987 Confirmatory search strategies in social interaction: How, when, why and with what consequences. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 5, 511-524.
Swann, W. B., Jr., &Reed, S. J. 1981a Acquiring self knowledge: The search for feedback that fits. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 41, 1119-1128.
Swann, W. B., Jr., &Reed, S. J. 1981b Selfverification processes: How we sustain our selfconceptions. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 17, 351-372.
Swann, W. B., Jr., &Snyder, M. 1980 On translating beliefs into action: Theories of ability and their application in an instructional setting. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 38, 879-888.
Takata, T. 1987 Self-deprecative tendencies in self evaluation through social comparison. Japanese Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 27, 27-36.
Trope, Y. 1983 Self-assessment in achievement behavior. In J. Suls&A. G. Greenwald (Eds.), Psychological perspectives on the self. Vol.2. Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. Pp.93-122.
Trope, Y. 1986 Self-enhancement and self-assessment in achievement behavior. In R. M. Sorrentino&E. T. Higgins (Eds.), Handbook of motivation and cognition. New York: Guilford Press. Pp.350-378.
Weiner, B. 1979 A theory of motivation for some classroom experiences. Journal of Educational Psychology, 71, 1161-1173.
Weiner, B. 1986 Attribution, emotion, and motivation. In R. M. Sorrentino&E. T. Higgins (Eds.), Handbook of motivation and cognition, New York: Guilford Press. Pp.281-312.

Date of correction: February 24, 2009 Reason for correction: - Correction: PDF FILE Details: -

Date of correction: February 24, 2009 Reason for correction: - Correction: ABSTRACT Details: Wrong : This study investigated information gathering behavior about one's own abilities. Fifty-five female undergraduates participated in Experiment 1 and the following three hypotheses were examined: (1) both self-enhancement and self-confirmation model predicted that those who were confident in the high level of ability would select information about the high ability level; (2) self-enhancement model predicted that those who were confident in the low level of ability would avoid information about the low ability level while (3) self-confirmation model predicted that those who were confident in the low level of ability would approach information about the low ability level. The result provided some support to the first hypothesis. The second hypothesis was rejected and the third hypothesis was supported. Experiment 2 tested whether or not the ability evaluation would be accepted if the ability evaluation induced a negative impact on the self. The result front seventy male undergraduates showed that those who were at the low level of ability as well as the high and intermediate did not discredit the validity of their evaluation and would likely to accept their ability evaluation. These results were discussed in terms of the self-relevant information gathering behavior.
Right : This study investigated information gathering behavior about one's own abilities. Fifty-five female undergraduates participated in Experiment 1 and the following three hypotheses were examined:(1) both self-enhancement and self-confirmation model predicted that those who were confident in the high level of ability would select information about the high ability level;(2) self-enhancement model predicted that those who were confident in the low level of ability would avoid information about the low ability level while (3) self-confirmation model predicted that those who were confident in the low level of ability would approach information about the low ability level. The result provided some support to the first hypothesis. The second hypothesis was rejected and the third hypothesis was supported. Experiment 2 tested whether or not the ability evaluation would be accepted if the ability evaluation induced a negative impact on the self. The result from seventy male undergraduates showed that those who were at the low level of ability as well as the high and intermediate did not discredit the validity of their evaluation and would likely to accept their ability evaluation. These results were discussed in terms of the self-relevant information gathering behavior.

Date of correction: February 24, 2009 Reason for correction: - Correction: AFFILIATION Details: Wrong :
1) Department of Psychology, College of Humanities and Sciences,. Nihon University

Right :
1) Department of Psychology, College of Humanities and Sciences, Nihon University

Date of correction: February 24, 2009 Reason for correction: - Correction: CITATION Details: Wrong : Atkinson, J. W. 1957 Motivational determinants of risk-taking behavior. Psychological Review, 64, 359-372.
Atkinson, J. W., &Raynor, J. O.(Eds.) 1974 Motivation and achievement. Washington, D. C.: Winston.
Frey, D. 1981 The effect of negative feedback about oneself and cost of information of for information about the source of this feedback. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 17, 42-50.
Frey, D., &Stahlberg, D. 1986 Selection of information after receiving more or less reliable self-threatening information. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 12, 434-441.
Markus, H., &Wurf, E. 1987 The dynamic self-concept: A social psychological perspective. Annual Review of Psychology, 38, 299-337.
Swann, W. B., Jr. 1983 Self-verification: Bringing social reality into harmony with the self. In J. Suls&A. G. Greenwald (Eds.), Psychological perspectives on the self. Vol.2 Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. Pp.33-66.
Swann, W. B., Jr., &Giuliano, T. 1987 Confirmatory search strategies in social interaction: How, when, why and with what consequences. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 5, 511-524.
Swann, W. B., Jr., &Reed, S. J. 1981a Acquiring self knowledge: The search for feedback that fits. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 41, 1119-1128.
Swann, W. B., Jr., &Reed, S. J. 1981b Selfverification processes: How we sustain our selfconceptions. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 17, 351-372.
Swann, W. B., Jr., &Snyder, M. 1980 On translating beliefs into action: Theories of ability and their application in an instructional setting. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 38, 879-888.
Takata, T. 1987 Self-deprecative tendencies in self evaluation through social comparison. Japanese Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 27, 27-36.
Trope, Y. 1983 Self-assessment in achievement behavior. In J. Suls&A. G. Greenwald (Eds.), Psychological perspectives on the self. Vol.2. Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. Pp.93-122.
Trope, Y. 1986 Self-enhancement and self-assessment in achievement behavior. In R. M. Sorrentino&E. T. Higgins (Eds.), Handbook of motivation and cognition. New York: Guilford Press. Pp.350-378.
Weiner, B. 1979 A theory of motivation for some classroom experiences. Journal of Educational Psychology, 71, 1161-1173.
Weiner, B. 1986 Attribution, emotion, and motivation. In R. M. Sorrentino&E. T. Higgins (Eds.), Handbook of motivation and cognition, New York: Guilford Press. Pp.281-312.

Right : Atkinson, J. W. 1957 Motivational determinants of risk-taking behavior. Psychological Review, 64, 359-372.
Atkinson, J. W., & Raynor, J. O.(Eds.) 1974 Motivation and achievement. Washington, D. C.: Winston.
Frey, D. 1981 The effect of negative feedback about oneself and cost of information of preferences for information about the source of this feedback. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 17, 42-50.
Frey, D., & Stahlberg, D. 1986 Selection of information after receiving more or less reliable self-threatening information. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 12, 434-441.
Markus, H., & Wurf, E. 1987 The dynamic self-concept: A social psychological perspective. Annual Review of Psychology, 38, 299-337.
Swann, W. B., Jr. 1983 Self-verification: Bringing social reality into harmony with the self. In J. Suls & A. G. Greenwald (Eds.), Psychological perspectives on the self. Vol.2 Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. Pp.33-66.
Swann, W. B., Jr., & Giuliano, T. 1987 Confirmatory search strategies in social interaction: How, when, why and with what consequences. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 5, 511-524.
Swann, W. B., Jr., & Reed, S. J. 1981a Acquiring self knowledge: The search for feedback that fits. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 41, 1119-1128.
Swann, W. B., Jr., & Reed, S. J. 1981b Selfverification processes: How we sustain our selfconceptions. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 17, 351-372.
Swann, W. B., Jr., & Snyder, M. 1980 On translating beliefs into action: Theories of ability and their application in an instructional setting. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 38, 879-888.
Takata, T. 1987 Self-deprecative tendencies in self evaluation through social comparison. Japanese Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 27, 27-36.
Trope, Y. 1983 Self-assessment in achievement behavior. In J. Suls & A. G. Greenwald (Eds.), Psychological perspectives on the self. Vol.2. Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. Pp.93-122.
Trope, Y. 1986 Self-enhancement and self-assessment in achievement behavior. In R. M. Sorrentino & E. T. Higgins (Eds.), Handbook of motivation and cognition. New York: Guilford Press. Pp.350-378.
Weiner, B. 1979 A theory of motivation for some classroom experiences. Journal of Educational Psychology, 71, 1161-1173.
Weiner, B. 1986 Attribution, emotion, and motivation. In R. M. Sorrentino & E. T. Higgins (Eds.), Handbook of motivation and cognition. New York: Guilford Press. Pp.281-312.

Abstract

This study investigated information gathering behavior about one's own abilities. Fifty-five female undergraduates participated in Experiment 1 and the following three hypotheses were examined:(1) both self-enhancement and self-confirmation model predicted that those who were confident in the high level of ability would select information about the high ability level;(2) self-enhancement model predicted that those who were confident in the low level of ability would avoid information about the low ability level while (3) self-confirmation model predicted that those who were confident in the low level of ability would approach information about the low ability level. The result provided some support to the first hypothesis. The second hypothesis was rejected and the third hypothesis was supported. Experiment 2 tested whether or not the ability evaluation would be accepted if the ability evaluation induced a negative impact on the self. The result from seventy male undergraduates showed that those who were at the low level of ability as well as the high and intermediate did not discredit the validity of their evaluation and would likely to accept their ability evaluation. These results were discussed in terms of the self-relevant information gathering behavior.

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Correction information

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