Self-Esteem Protection Within a Close Relationship
Author(s): Kendell C. Thornton
Abstract: Self-esteem protection within a close relationship was investigated to determine how people behave in performance situations with a close other. After having already scored better or worse than a close other or a stranger on an intelligence test, half of the close participants were led to expect a comparison of scores. Participants then chose music that varied in helpfulness for themselves and the other to listen to when performing a similar test. Contrary to predictions, close comparison participants did not choose more helpful music for the other than did participants paired with a stranger. Implications for the other enhancement literature (Shepperd & Arkin, 1991) and how the present research can provide a bridge between the literature on self-protection and the literature on interpersonal relationships are discussed.
Pages: 184-196
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