Journal of Cultural and Evolutionary Psychology
Volume/Issue:
Volume 2: Issue 1-2
Self-enhancement and Self-protection Motivation: From the Laboratory to an Evolutionary Context
Authors:
Constantine Sedikides University of Southampton Please ask the editor of the journal.

Search for other papers by Constantine Sedikides in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
,
John J. Skowronski Northern Illinois University Please ask the editor of the journal.

Search for other papers by John J. Skowronski in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
, and
Lowell Gaertner University of North Carolina Please ask the editor of the journal.

Search for other papers by Lowell Gaertner in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
Pages:
61–79
Online Publication Date:
19 Jul 2005
Publication Date:
01 Aug 2004
Article Category:
Research Article
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1556/jcep.2.2004.1-2.4
Keywords:
evolution; evolution; mental health; culture; self-enhancement; self-protection; valuation motivation
Restricted access

Existing data suggest that the self-enhancement and self-protection motivations (which elevate or protect the positive self-concept) exert a pivotal influence on self-evaluation and behavior. Moreover, these motivations are more potent than the self-assessment motivation (which works to increase the accuracy of the self-concept) or the self-verification motivation (which works to confirm the self-concept). The data also suggest that the self-enhancement and self-protection motivations serve crucial mental health functions and that these functions are apparent across different cultures. This article relates these findings to the possible evolutionary utility of these motivations. It is argued that self-enhancement and self-protection motivations were evolutionarily selected, because they offered personal, relational, and group-rank advantages to species members who possessed these traits.

  • Wilson, D. S. and Sober, E. (1994): Reintroducing group selection to the human behavioral sciences. Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 17, 585-654.

    'Reintroducing group selection to the human behavioral sciences. ' () 17 Behavioral and Brain Sciences : 585 -654 .

    • Search Google Scholar

  • Wilson, A. E. and Ross, M. (2003): The identity function of autobiographical memory: Time is on our side. Memory, 11, 137-149.

    'The identity function of autobiographical memory: Time is on our side. ' () 11 Memory : 137 -149 .

    • Search Google Scholar

  • Anderson, C. A. (1999): Attributional style, depression, and loneliness: A cross-cultural comparison of American and Chinese students. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 25, 482-499.

    'Attributional style, depression, and loneliness: A cross-cultural comparison of American and Chinese students. ' () 25 Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin : 482 -499 .

    • Search Google Scholar

  • Arkin, R. M. and Oleson, K. C. (1998): Self handicapping. In J. M. Darley and J. Cooper (eds): Attribution and Social Interaction: The Legacy of Edward E. Jones. Washington, DC, US: American Psychological Association, 313-371.

    Attribution and Social Interaction: The Legacy of Edward E. Jones , () 313 -371 .

  • Armor, D. A. and Taylor, S. E. (1998): Situated optimism: Specific outcome expectancies and self-regulation. Advances in Experimental Social Psychology, 30, 309-379.

    'Situated optimism: Specific outcome expectancies and self-regulation. ' () 30 Advances in Experimental Social Psychology : 309 -379 .

    • Search Google Scholar

  • Baumeister, R. E (1998): The self. In D. T. Gilbert, S. T. Fiske and G. Lindzey (eds): Handbook of Social Psychology (4th ed., Vol. 1). New York: McGraw-Hill, 680-740.

    Handbook of Social Psychology , () 680 -740 .

  • Beggan, J. K. (1992): On the social nature of nonsocial perception: The mere ownership effect. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 62, 229-237.

    'On the social nature of nonsocial perception: The mere ownership effect. ' () 62 Journal of Personality and Social Psychology : 229 -237 .

    • Search Google Scholar

  • Bonano, G. A., Field, N. P., Kovacevic, A. and Kaltman, S. (2002): Self-enhancement as a buffer against extreme adversity: Civil war in Bosnia and traumatic loss in the United States. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 28, 184-196.

    'Self-enhancement as a buffer against extreme adversity: Civil war in Bosnia and traumatic loss in the United States. ' () 28 Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin : 184 -196 .

    • Search Google Scholar

  • Brown, J. D. and Kobayashi, C. (2002): Self-enhancement in Japan and America. Asian Journal of Social Psychology, 5, 145-167.

    'Self-enhancement in Japan and America. ' () 5 Asian Journal of Social Psychology : 145 -167 .

    • Search Google Scholar

  • Campbell, K. W. and Sedikides, C. (1999): Self-threat magnifies the self-serving bias: A meta-analytic integration. Review of General Psychology, 3, 23-43.

    'Self-threat magnifies the self-serving bias: A meta-analytic integration. ' () 3 Review of General Psychology : 23 -43 .

    • Search Google Scholar

  • Caporeal, L. R. (1997). The evolution of truly social cognition: The core configurations model. Personality and Social Psychology Review, 1, 276-298.

    'The evolution of truly social cognition: The core configurations model. ' () 1 Personality and Social Psychology Review : 276 -298 .

    • Search Google Scholar

  • Chang, E. C., Sanna, L. J. and Yang, K. (2003): Optimism, pessimism, affectivity, and psychological adjustments in US and Korea: A test of a mediation model. Personality and Individual Differences, 34, 1195-1208.

    'Optimism, pessimism, affectivity, and psychological adjustments in US and Korea: A test of a mediation model. ' () 34 Personality and Individual Differences : 1195 -1208 .

    • Search Google Scholar

  • Deci, E. L., Ryan, R. M., Gagne, M., Leone, D. R., Usunov, J. and Kornazheva, B. P. (2001): Need satisfaction, motivation, and well-being in the work organizations of a former Eastern Bloc country: A cross-cultural study of self-determination. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 27, 930-942.

    'Need satisfaction, motivation, and well-being in the work organizations of a former Eastern Bloc country: A cross-cultural study of self-determination. ' () 27 Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin : 930 -942 .

    • Search Google Scholar

  • Staats, S. and Skowronski, J. J. (1992): Perceptions of self-affect: Now and in the future. Social Cognition, 10,415-431.

    'Perceptions of self-affect: Now and in the future. ' () 10 Social Cognition : 415 -431 .

    • Search Google Scholar

  • Diener, E., Diener, M. and Diener, C. (1995): Factors predicting the subjective well-being of nations. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 69, 851-864.

    'Factors predicting the subjective well-being of nations. ' () 69 Journal of Personality and Social Psychology : 851 -864 .

    • Search Google Scholar

  • Dunning, D. A. (1999): A newer look: Motivated social cognition and the schematic representation of social concepts. Psychological Inquiry, 10, 1-11.

    'A newer look: Motivated social cognition and the schematic representation of social concepts. ' () 10 Psychological Inquiry : 1 -11 .

    • Search Google Scholar

  • Farran, C. J., Herth, K. A. and Popovich, J. M. (1995): Hope and Hopelessness: Critical, Clinical, Constructs. Thousand Oaks, USA: Sage Publications, Inc.

    Hope and Hopelessness: Critical, Clinical, Constructs , ().

  • Gonnerman, M. E., Parker, C., Lavine, H. and Huff, J. W. (2000): The relationship between self-discrepancies and affective states: the moderating roles of self-monitoring and standpoints on the self. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 26, 810-819.

    'The relationship between self-discrepancies and affective states: the moderating roles of self-monitoring and standpoints on the self. ' () 26 Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin : 810 -819 .

    • Search Google Scholar

  • Gosling, S. D., Kwan, V. S. Y. and John, O. P. (2003): A dog's got personality: A cross-species comparative approach to personality judgments in dogs and humans. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 85, 1161-1169.

    'A dog's got personality: A cross-species comparative approach to personality judgments in dogs and humans. ' () 85 Journal of Personality and Social Psychology : 1161 -1169 .

    • Search Google Scholar

  • Gould, S. J. (1980): The Panda's Thumb. New York: W. W. Norton.

    The Panda's Thumb , ().

  • Green, J. A. and Sedikides, C. (2004). Retrieval selectivity in the processing of self-referent information: Testing the boundaries of self-protection. Self and Identity, 3, 69-80.

    'Retrieval selectivity in the processing of self-referent information: Testing the boundaries of self-protection. ' () 3 Self and Identity : 69 -80 .

    • Search Google Scholar

  • Heine, S. J., Lehman, D. R., Markus, H. R. and Kitayama, S. (1999): Is there a universal need for positive self-regard? Psychological Review, 106, 766-794.

    'Is there a universal need for positive self-regard? ' () 106 Psychological Review : 766 -794 .

    • Search Google Scholar

  • Higgins, E. T. (1999): When do self-discrepancies have specific relations to emotions? The second-generation question of Tangney, Niedenthal, Covert, and Barlow (1998): Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 77, 1313-1317.

    'When do self-discrepancies have specific relations to emotions? The second-generation question of Tangney, Niedenthal, Covert, and Barlow (1998): ' () 77 Journal of Personality and Social Psychology : 1313 -1317 .

    • Search Google Scholar

  • Jones, E. E. and Berglas, S. (1978): Control of attributions about the self through self-handicapping strategies: The appeal of alcohol and the role of underachievement. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 4, 200-206.

    'Control of attributions about the self through self-handicapping strategies: The appeal of alcohol and the role of underachievement. ' () 4 Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin : 200 -206 .

    • Search Google Scholar

  • Kobayashi, C. and Brown, J. D. (2003). Self-esteem and self-enhancement in Japan and America. Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, 34, 567-580.

    'Self-esteem and self-enhancement in Japan and America. ' () 34 Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology : 567 -580 .

    • Search Google Scholar

  • Kurman, J. (2001): Self-enhancement: Is it restricted to individualistic cultures? Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 12, 1705-1716.

    'Self-enhancement: Is it restricted to individualistic cultures? ' () 12 Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin : 1705 -1716 .

    • Search Google Scholar

  • Kurman, J. and Siram, N. (1997): Self-enhancement, generality of self-evaluation, and affectivity in Israel and Singapore. Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, 28, 421-441.

    'Self-enhancement, generality of self-evaluation, and affectivity in Israel and Singapore. ' () 28 Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology : 421 -441 .

    • Search Google Scholar

  • Leary, M. R. (1995): Self-presentation: Impression Management and Interpersonal Behavior. Madison, WI: Brown and Benchmark Publishers.

    Self-presentation: Impression Management and Interpersonal Behavior , ().

  • Leary, M. R., Haupt, A. L., Strausser, K. S. and Chokel, J. T. (1998): Calibrating the sociometer: The relationship between interpersonal appraisals and state self-esteem. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 74, 1299-1299.

    'Calibrating the sociometer: The relationship between interpersonal appraisals and state self-esteem. ' () 74 Journal of Personality and Social Psychology : 1299 -1299 .

    • Search Google Scholar

  • Leary, M. R., Gallagher, B., Fors, E., Buttermore, N., Baldwin, E., Kennedy, K. and Mills, A. (2003): The invalidity of disclaimers about the effects of social feedback on self-esteem. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 29, 623-636.

    'The invalidity of disclaimers about the effects of social feedback on self-esteem. ' () 29 Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin : 623 -636 .

    • Search Google Scholar

  • Sedikides, C. and Green, J. D. (2000): On the self-protective nature of inconsistency/negativity management: Using the person memory paradigm to examine self-referent memory. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 79, 906-922.

    'On the self-protective nature of inconsistency/negativity management: Using the person memory paradigm to examine self-referent memory. ' () 79 Journal of Personality and Social Psychology : 906 -922 .

    • Search Google Scholar

  • Sedikides, C. and Green, J. D. (2004): What I don't recall can't hurt me: Information negativity versus information inconsistency as determinants of memorial self-defense. Social Cognition, 22, 4-29.

    'What I don't recall can't hurt me: Information negativity versus information inconsistency as determinants of memorial self-defense. ' () 22 Social Cognition : 4 -29 .

    • Search Google Scholar

  • Sedikides, C. and Gregg, A. P. (2003): Portraits of the self. In M. A. Hogg and J. Cooper (eds): Sage Handbook of Social Psychology. London: Sage Publications, 110-138.

    Sage Handbook of Social Psychology , () 110 -138 .

  • Sedikides, C. and Skowronski, J. A. (1997): The symbolic self in evolutionary context. Personality and Social Psychology Review, 1, 80-102.

    'The symbolic self in evolutionary context. ' () 1 Personality and Social Psychology Review : 80 -102 .

    • Search Google Scholar

  • Sedikides, C. and Skowronski, J. J. (2000): On the evolutionary functions of the symbolic self: The emergence of self-evaluation motives. In A. Tesser, R. Felson and J. Suls (eds): Psychological Perspectives on Self and Identity. Washington, DC: APA Books, 91-117.

    Psychological Perspectives on Self and Identity , () 91 -117 .

  • Sedikides, C. and Skowronski, J. J. (2003): Evolution of the self: Issues and prospects. In M. R. Leary and J. P. Tangney (eds): Handbook of Self and Identity. New York, NY: Guilford, 594-609.

    Handbook of Self and Identity , () 594 -609 .

  • Pronin, E., Yin, D. Y. and Ross, L. (2002): The bias blind spot: Perceptions of bias in self versus others. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 3, 369-381.

    'The bias blind spot: Perceptions of bias in self versus others. ' () 3 Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin : 369 -381 .

    • Search Google Scholar

  • Pyszczynski, T., Greenberg, J., Solomon, S., Arndt, J. and Schimel, J. (2004): Why do people need self-esteem? A theoretical and empirical review. Psychological Bulletin, 130, 435-468.

    'Why do people need self-esteem? A theoretical and empirical review. ' () 130 Psychological Bulletin : 435 -468 .

    • Search Google Scholar

  • Sedikides, C. (1993): Assessment, enhancement, and verification determinants of the self-evaluation process. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 65, 317-338.

    'Assessment, enhancement, and verification determinants of the self-evaluation process. ' () 65 Journal of Personality and Social Psychology : 317 -338 .

    • Search Google Scholar

  • Sedikides, C. and Strube, M. J. (1997): Self-evaluation: To thine own self be good, to thine own self be sure, to thine own self be true, and to thine own self be better. In M. P. Zanna (ed.): Advances in Experimental Social Psychology, 29, 209-269. New York, NY: Academic Press.

    Advances in Experimental Social Psychology , ().

  • Sedikides, C., Gaertner, L. and Vevea, J. L. (in press): Pancultural self-enhancement reloaded: A meta-analytic reply to Heine. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology.

    'Pancultural self-enhancement reloaded: A meta-analytic reply to Heine ' () Journal of Personality and Social Psychology .

    • Search Google Scholar

  • Skowronski, J.J., Gibbons, J. A., Vogl, R. J. and Walker, W. R. (in press): The effect of social disclosure on the affective intensity provoked by autobiographical memories. Self and Identity.

    Self and Identity , ().

  • Snyder, C. R. (2002): Hope theory: Rainbows in the mind. Psychological Review, 13, 249-275.

    'Hope theory: Rainbows in the mind. ' () 13 Psychological Review : 249 -275 .

  • Stewart, S. M., Byrne, B. M., Lee, P. W. H., Ho, L. M., Kennard, B. D., Hughes, C. and Emslie, G. (2003): Personal versus interpersonal contributions to depressive symptoms among Hong Kong adolescents. International Journal of Psychology, 38, 160-169.

    'Personal versus interpersonal contributions to depressive symptoms among Hong Kong adolescents. ' () 38 International Journal of Psychology : 160 -169 .

    • Search Google Scholar

  • Swann, W. B., Jr. (1990): To be adored or to be known?: The interplay of self-enhancement and self-verification. In E. T. Higgins and R. M. Sorrentino (eds): Handbook of motivation and cognition: Foundations of social behavior (Vol. 2). New York: Guilford Press, 408-448.

    Handbook of motivation and cognition: Foundations of social behavior , () 408 -448 .

    • Search Google Scholar

  • Swann, W. B., Jr., Rentfrow, P. J. and Guinn, J. S. (2003): Self-verification: The search for coherence. In M. R. Leary and J. P. Tangney (eds): Handbook of Self and Identity. New York, NY: Guilford, 367-383.

    Handbook of Self and Identity , () 367 -383 .

  • Taylor, S. E., Kemeny, M. E., Reed, G. M., Bower, J. E. and Gruenewald, T. L. (2000): Psychological resources, positive illusions, and health. American Psychologist, 55, 99-109.

    'Psychological resources, positive illusions, and health. ' () 55 American Psychologist : 99 -109 .

    • Search Google Scholar

  • Taylor, S. E., Lerner, J. S., Sherman, D. K., Sage, R. M. and Mcdowell, N. K. (2003): Portrait of the self-enhancer: Well adjusted and well liked or maladjusted and friendless? Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 84, 165-176.

    'Portrait of the self-enhancer: Well adjusted and well liked or maladjusted and friendless? ' () 84 Journal of Personality and Social Psychology : 165 -176 .

    • Search Google Scholar

  • Tesser, A. (1988): Toward a self-evaluation maintenance model of social behavior. Advances in Experimental Social Psychology, 21, 181-227.

    'Toward a self-evaluation maintenance model of social behavior. ' () 21 Advances in Experimental Social Psychology : 181 -227 .

    • Search Google Scholar

  • Tesser, A. Millar, M. and Moore, J. (1988): Some affective consequences of social comparison and reflection processes: The pain and pleasure of being close. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 54, 49-61.

    'Some affective consequences of social comparison and reflection processes: The pain and pleasure of being close. ' () 54 Journal of Personality and Social Psychology : 49 -61 .

    • Search Google Scholar

  • Walker, W. R, SkowronskI, J. J. and Thompson, C. P. (2003): Life is good - and memory helps to keep it that way. Review of General Psychology 7, 203-210.

    'Life is good - and memory helps to keep it that way ' () 7 Review of General Psychology : 203 -210 .

    • Search Google Scholar

  • Walker, W. R., Skowronski, J. J., Gibbons, J. A., Vogl, R. J. and Thompson, C. P. (in press): On the emotions accompanying autobiographical memory: Dysphoria disrupts the fading affect bias. Cognition and Emotion.

    'On the emotions accompanying autobiographical memory: Dysphoria disrupts the fading affect bias ' () Cognition and Emotion .

    • Search Google Scholar

  • Weinstein, N. D. (1980): Unrealistic optimism about future life events. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 39, 806-820.

    'Unrealistic optimism about future life events. ' () 39 Journal of Personality and Social Psychology : 806 -820 .

    • Search Google Scholar

  • Wilson, D. S. (1998): Hunting, sharing, and multilevel selection: The tolerated-theft model revisited. Current Anthropology, 39, 73-97.

    'Hunting, sharing, and multilevel selection: The tolerated-theft model revisited. ' () 39 Current Anthropology : 73 -97 .

    • Search Google Scholar

  • Alicke, M. D. (1985): Global self-evaluation as determined by the desirability and controllability of trait adjectives. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 49, 1621-1630.

    'Global self-evaluation as determined by the desirability and controllability of trait adjectives. ' () 49 Journal of Personality and Social Psychology : 1621 -1630 .

    • Search Google Scholar

  • Trope, Y. (1983): Self-assessment in achievement behavior. In J. M. Suls and A. G. Greenwald (eds): Psychological Perspectives on the Self (Vol. 2). Hillsdale, NJ: Erlbaum, 93-121.

    Psychological Perspectives on the Self , () 93 -121 .

  • Trope, Y. (1986): Self-enhancement and self-assessment in achievement behavior. In R. M. Sorrentino and E. T. Higgins (eds): Handbook of Motivation and Cognition: Foundations of Social Behavior Vol. 1). New York: Guilford Press, 350-378.

    Handbook of Motivation and Cognition: Foundations of Social Behavior , () 350 -378 .

    • Search Google Scholar
  • Collapse
  • Expand
Cover Journal of Cultural and Evolutionary Psychology
Journal of Cultural and Evolutionary Psychology
Print ISSN:
1589-7397
Online ISSN:
1589-5254

Journal of Cultural and Evolutionary Psychology
Language English
Size  
Year of
Foundation		 2003
Publication
Programme		 changed title
Volumes
per Year		  
Issues
per Year		  
Founder Akadémiai Kiadó
Founder's
Address		 H-1117 Budapest, Hungary 1516 Budapest, PO Box 245.
Publisher Akadémiai Kiadó
Publisher's
Address		 H-1117 Budapest, Hungary 1516 Budapest, PO Box 245.
Responsible
Publisher		 Chief Executive Officer, Akadémiai Kiadó
ISSN 1589-5254 (Print)
ISSN 1589-7397 (Online)

Monthly Content Usage

Abstract Views Full Text Views PDF Downloads
Jul 2024 39 0 0
Aug 2024 43 0 0
Sep 2024 92 0 0
Oct 2024 127 0 0
Nov 2024 89 0 0
Dec 2024 41 0 0
Jan 2025 32 0 0