The Effects of Positive and Negative Self- Presentation on Female Self- Esteem and Relationship Choices Stephanie Gunderson Robyn Hooker Hanover College

Self-Presentation and Women The statements individuals make about themselves that reflect upon their self-concept and self-esteem. Women’s self-presentation is synonymous with their actual self-concept when talking to other females and they tend to disclose more about themselves (Leary et al., 1994).

Consequences of Self-Presentation Also aids in forming the impressions that others can make about the speaker (Leary, Nezlek, & Downs, 1994). Positive self-presenters expect others to like them, causing negative opinions (Baumeister, 1982).

Self-Concept as Tool for Judgment Children named as friends those classmates who performed at a lower level than they themselves did on activities they considered important to them due to comparison processes (Tesser, Campbell, & Smith, 1984).

Perceptions of Women’s Self- Presentation Britton, Martz, and Bazzini (2006) Participants were shown fat talk dialogue and were asked how would a woman respond: –Self-Accepting of her body –No information provided about body –Self-degrading about her body

Hypotheses We expect that participants will rate as more likeable and more likely want to be friends with those individuals who displayed more negative self- presentations rather than those who displayed positive self- presentation. We also expect that participants with high self- esteem will prefer a person who displayed positive self-presentation and those with low self-esteem will prefer a person who displayed negative self- presentation.

Participants 33 female college students Ages: Ethnicity: Mostly Caucasian

Procedure Listen and read dialogue situation between four women –First woman puts herself down –Three Responders: Self-degrading Self-accepting No information about self-concept

The Dialogue Abby: Ugh, I am so fat. Ashley: Please, do you see how unattractive I am? Emily: I am so lucky to have good genes to keep me pretty. Hannah: Can we please get back to studying?

Method: Questionnaires The Likeability Questionnaire –To measure the perceptions that the participants had towards each confederates’ likeability in the study. How likely is it that you would be friends? Do you feel this person is genuine? Do you think this person has a number of good qualities?

Method: Questionnaires The Rosenberg Self- Esteem Scale –On the whole, I am satisfied with myself. –I feel that I’m a person of worth. –I wish I could have more respect for myself.

Likeability Means Neutral Self- acceptingSelf- degrading F(2,30) = 8.49, p =.001 More Likeable Less Likeable

Likeability by Self-Esteem Levels NeutralSelf- acceptingSelf- degrading

Likeability by Self-Esteem Levels NeutralSelf- acceptingSelf- degrading p =.208

Friendship Choice F(2,31) = 27.73, p <.001 Neutral Self-acceptingSelf-degrading More likely Less likely

Friendship Choice by Self-Esteem Levels NeutralSelf-acceptingSelf-degrading

Friendship Choice by Self-Esteem Levels NeutralSelf-acceptingSelf-degrading p =.05

Discussion Hypothesis supported: Participants preferred self- degrading over self- accepting individual. –Neutral individual received highest likeability ratings. Preference for neutral individual could be due to participants’ not having enough information about her to make strong judgment.

Discussion Hypothesis about participants’ self- esteem not supported. –Marginal significance with high self- esteem and liking Emily (self- accepting individual). Comparison processes evident in friendship choice for Ashley (self-degrading).

Limitations Small sample size Self-accepting woman may have been seen as narcissistic by participants and therefore a flaw Participants could be responding differently than they would in actual situations. –More qualitative studies with small groups of friends may be beneficial. Homogeneity of sample: All Caucasian –Different ethnicities could give different responses.

Questions ?