Skip to main content

Self-Esteem, Self-Prediction, and Living up to Commitments

  • Chapter
Self-Esteem

Part of the book series: The Plenum Series in Social / Clinical Psychology ((SSSC))

Abstract

In this chapter, we examine the role of self-esteem in complex self- regulation. Although high self-esteem generally is associated with superior self-regulation (Bandura, 1989; Taylor, 1989), we present evidence indicating that high self-esteem may interfere with self-regulation when self-esteem is threatened. We propose that an optimal level of self- esteem is important for successfully making and living up to commitments.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

eBook
USD 16.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 129.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Bagozzi, R. P. & Heatherton, T. F. (1991). Further evidence on the psychometric properties of the State Self-Esteem Scale. Unpublished manuscript. University of Michigan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bandura, A. (1989). Human agency in social cognitive theory. American Psychologist, 44, 1175–1184.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Baumeister, R. F. (1982). Self-esteem, self-presentation, and future interaction: A dilemma of reputation. Journal of Personality, 50, 29–45.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Baumeister, R. F. (1984). Choking under pressure: Self-consciousness and paradoxical effects of incentives on skillful performance. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 46, 610–620.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Baumeister, R. F. (1989). The optimal margin of illusion.Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 8, 176–189.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Baumeister, R. F., Heatherton, T. F., & Tice, D. M. (1993). When ego threats lead to self- regulation failure: The negative consequences of high self-esteem. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 64, 141–156.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Baumeister, R. F., & Scher, S. J. (1988). Self-defeating behavior patterns among normal individuals: Review and analysis of common self-destructive tendencies.Psychological Bulletin, 104, 3–22.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Baumeister, R. F., & Tice, D. M. (1985). Self-esteem and responses to success and failure: Subsequent performance and intrinsic motivation. Journal of Personality, 53, 450–467.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Baumeister, R. F., Tice, D. M., & Hutton, D. G. (1989). Self-presentational motivations and personality differences in self-esteem. Journal of Personality, 57, 547–579.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Baumgardner, A. H. (1991). To know oneself is to like oneself: Self-certainty and self-affect. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 58, 1062–1072.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Baumgardner, A. H., Kaufman, C. M., & Levy, P. E. (1989). Regulating affect interper- sonally: When low self-esteem leads to greater enhancement. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 56, 907–921.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Beck, A. T. (1967). Depression: Clinical, experimental and theoretical aspects. New York: Harper & Row.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brockner, J. (1979). The effects of self-esteem, success-failure, and self-consciousness on task performance. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 37, 1732–1741.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brockner, J. (1983). Low self-esteem and behavioral plasticity: Some implications. In L. Wheeler & P. Shaver (Eds.), Review of personality and social psychology (Vol. 4, pp. 237–271). Beverly Hills, CA: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Campbell, J. D. (1990). Self-esteem and clarity of self-concept. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 59, 538–549.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Campbell, J. D. & Fairey, P. J. (1985). Effects of self-esteem, hypothetical explanations, and verbalizations on future performance. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 48, 1097–1111.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Carver, C. S., & Scheier, M. F. (1981). Attention and self-regulation: A control theory approach to human behavior. New York: Springer-Verlag.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ciliska, D. (1990). Beyond dieting psychoeducational interventions for chronically obese women: A non-dieting approach. New York: Brunner/Mazel.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cohen, L., van den Bout, J., van Vliet, T, & Kramer, W. (1989). Attributional asymmetries in relation to dysphoria and self-esteem. Personality and Individual Differences, 10, 1055–1061.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Coopersmith, S. (1967). The antecedents of self-esteem. San Francisco: Freeman.

    Google Scholar 

  • Crocker, J., Thompson, L. L., McGraw, K. M., & Ingerman, C. (1987). Downward comparisons, prejudice, and evaluation of others: Effects of self-esteem and threat. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 52, 907–916.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Htch, G. (1970). Effects of self-esteem, perceived performance, and choice on causal attributions. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 16, 311–315.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Greenwald, A. G. (1980). The totalitarian ego: Fabrication and revision of personal history. American Psychologist, 35, 603–618.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Greenwald, A. G., & Breckler, S. J. (1985). To whom is the self presented? In B. Schlenker (Ed.),The self and social life (pp. 126–145). New York: McCraw-Hill.

    Google Scholar 

  • Heatherton, T. F., & Baumeister, R. F. (1991). Binge eating as escape from self-awareness. Psychological Bulletin, 110, 86–108.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Heatherton, T. F., Herman, C. P., & Polivy, J. (1991). Effects of physical threat and ego threat on eating behavior. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 60, 138–143.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Heatherton, T. F., & Polivy, J. (1991). Development and validation of a scale for measuring state self-esteem. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 60, 895–910.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Heatherton, T. F., & Polivy, J. (1992). Chronic dieting and eating disorders: A spiral model. In J. H. Crowther, S. E. Hobfall, M. A. P. Stevens, & D. L. Tennenbaum (Eds.), The etiology of bulimia: The individual and familial context (pp. 133–155). Washington, DC: Hemisphere.

    Google Scholar 

  • Herman, C. P., & Polivy, J. (1980). Restrained eating. In A. Stunkard (Ed.),Eating and its disorders (pp. 141–156). Philadelphia: Saunders.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ickes, W., & Layden, M. A. (1978). Attributional styles. In J. Harvey (Ed.), New directions in attribution research (Vol. 2, pp. 119–152). Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum.

    Google Scholar 

  • Janis, I. L., & Field, P. B. (1959). Sex differences and factors related to persuasibility. In C. I. Hovland & I. L. Janis (Eds.), Personality and persuasibility (pp. 55–68). New Haven, CT: Yale University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Janoff-Bulman, R., & Brickman, R. (1982). Expectations and what people leam from failure. In N. T. Féather (Ed.), Expectations and actions: Expectancy-value models in psychology (pp. 207–237). Hillsdale, NJ: Uwrence Erlbaum.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jones, E. E., Rhodewalt, F., Berglas, S., & Skelton, J. A. (1981). Effect of strategic self presentation in subsequent self-esteem. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 41, 407–421.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Josephs, R. A. (1990). The threat of risky decision making to self-esteem. Unpublished doctoral dissertation. University of Michigan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kemis, M. H., Brockner, J., & Frankel, B. S. (1989). Self-esteem and reactions to failure: The mediating role of overgeneralization. Journal of Persormlity, 57, 707–714.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kirschenbaum, D. S., Tomarken, A. J., & Humphrey, L. L. (1985). Affect and adult self- regulation. Journal of Personality and Social liychology, 48, 509–523.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kuiper, N. (1978). Depression and causal attributions for success and failure. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 36, 236–246.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Langer, E. (1975). The illusion of control. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 32, 311–328.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mayo, L. G. (1978). The correlates of success in a behavioral weight reduction program. Dissertations Abstracts International, 38, 78 3897.

    Google Scholar 

  • McFarlin, D. B. (1985). Persistence in the face of failure: The impact of self-esteem and contingency information. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 11, 153–163.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McFarlin, D. B., & Blascovich, J. (1981). Effects of self-esteem and performance on future affective preferences and cognitive expectations. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 40, 521–531.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McFarlin, D. B., Baumeister, R. F., & Blascovich, J. (1984). On knowing when to quit: Task failure, self-esteem, advice, and nonproductive persistence. Journal of Personality, 52, 138–155.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Perez, R. C. (1973). The effect of experimentally-induced failure, self-esteem, and sex on cognitive differentiation. Journal Abnormal Psychology, 81, 74–79.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Polivy, J., Heatherton, T. F., & Herman, C. P. (1988). Self-esteem, restraint, and eating behavior. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 97, 354–356.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pyszczynski, T., & Greenberg, J. (1983). Determinants of reduction in intended effort as a strategy for coping with anticipated failure. Journal of Research in Personality, 17, 412- 422.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Raskin, R., Novacek, J., & Hogan, R. (1991). Narcissism, self-esteem, and defensive self- enhancement. Journal of Personality, 59, 19–38.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rizley, R. (1978). Depression and distortion in the attribution of causality. Journal of Personality and Abnormal Psychology, 87, 32–48.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rodin, J., Elias, M., Silberstein, L. R., & Wagner, A. (1988). Combined behavioral and pharmacologic treatment for obesity: Predictors of successful weight maintenance. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 56, 399–404.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sandelands, L. E., Brockner, J., & Glynn, M. A. (1988). If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again: Effects of persistence-performance contingencies, ego involvement, and self- esteem on task persistence.Journal of Applied Psychology, 73, 208–216.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Scheier, M. F., & Carver, C. S. (1988). A model of behavioral self-regulation: Translating intention into action. Advances in Experimental Social Psychology, 21, 303–346.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schlenker, B. R., Weigold, M. F., & Hallam, J. R. (1990). Self-serving attributions in social context: Effects of self-esteem and social pressure. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 58, 855–863.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schneider, D. J., & Turkat, D. (1975). Self-presentation following success and failure: Defensive self-esteem models. Journal of Personality, 43, 127–135.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Shrauger, J., & Sorman, P. (1977). Self-evaluations, initial success and failure, and improvement as determinants of persistence. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 45, 784–795.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Steele, C. M. (1988). The psychology of self-affirmation: Sustaining the integrity of the self. In L. Berkowitz (Ed.), Advances in experimental social psychology (Vol. 21, pp. 261–302) New York: Academic Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Taylor, S. E. (1989). Positive illusions: Creative self-deception and the healthy mind. New York: Basic Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Taylor, S. E., & Brown, J. D. (1988). Illusion and well-being: A social psychological perspective on mental health. Psychological Bulletin, 103, 193–210.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Tennen, H., & Herzberger, S. (1987). Depression, self-esteem, and the absence of self- protective attributional biases.Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 52, 72–80.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Tice, D. M. (1991). Esteem protection or enhancement? Self-handicapping motives and attributions differ by trait self-esteem. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 60, 711–725.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wahl, C. (1956). Some antecedent factors in the family histories of 109 alcoholics. Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 17, 643–654.

    Google Scholar 

  • White, J. (1982). Rejection. Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zautra, A. J., Guenther, R. T, & Chartier, G. M. (1985). Attributions for real and hypothetical events: Their relation to self-esteem and depression. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 94, 530–540.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1993 Plenum Press, New York

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Heatherton, T.F., Ambady, N. (1993). Self-Esteem, Self-Prediction, and Living up to Commitments. In: Baumeister, R.F. (eds) Self-Esteem. The Plenum Series in Social / Clinical Psychology. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-8956-9_7

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-8956-9_7

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4684-8958-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4684-8956-9

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics