TY - JOUR
T1 - Uncovering the Multifaceted-Self in the Domain of Negative Traits
T2 - On the Muted Expression of Negative Self-Knowledge
AU - Cheung, Wing Yee
AU - Wildschut, Tim
AU - Sedikides, Constantine
AU - Pinter, Brad
PY - 2014/4
Y1 - 2014/4
N2 - The multifaceted-self effect is the ascription of more traits to self than others. Consensus is that this effect occurs for positive, but not negative, traits. We propose that the effect also occurs for negative traits when they can be endorsed with low intensity ("I am a little bit lazy"), thereby circumventing self-protection concerns. In Experiment 1, the multifaceted-self effect occurred for positive, but not negative, traits on a high-intensity trait-endorsement measure. However, it occurred irrespective of trait valence on a low-intensity trait-endorsement measure. In Experiment 2, the multifaceted-self effect occurred for positive, but not negative, traits on a strong trait-endorsement measure. However, it occurred irrespective of trait valence on a diminuted trait-endorsement measure-a finding conceptually replicated in Experiment 3. In Experiment 4, participants spontaneously adopted diminutive terms ("a little bit") when describing their negative traits. Individuals reconcile negative self-knowledge with self-protection concerns by expressing it in muted terms.
AB - The multifaceted-self effect is the ascription of more traits to self than others. Consensus is that this effect occurs for positive, but not negative, traits. We propose that the effect also occurs for negative traits when they can be endorsed with low intensity ("I am a little bit lazy"), thereby circumventing self-protection concerns. In Experiment 1, the multifaceted-self effect occurred for positive, but not negative, traits on a high-intensity trait-endorsement measure. However, it occurred irrespective of trait valence on a low-intensity trait-endorsement measure. In Experiment 2, the multifaceted-self effect occurred for positive, but not negative, traits on a strong trait-endorsement measure. However, it occurred irrespective of trait valence on a diminuted trait-endorsement measure-a finding conceptually replicated in Experiment 3. In Experiment 4, participants spontaneously adopted diminutive terms ("a little bit") when describing their negative traits. Individuals reconcile negative self-knowledge with self-protection concerns by expressing it in muted terms.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84898679058&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84898679058&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1177/0146167213518224
DO - 10.1177/0146167213518224
M3 - Article
C2 - 24398541
AN - SCOPUS:84898679058
SN - 0146-1672
VL - 40
SP - 513
EP - 525
JO - Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin
JF - Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin
IS - 4
ER -