Affiliation and rejection behaviors function as second-order boosts to self-esteem.

Evidence

Phenomena of implicit affiliation and rejection also reveal second-order implicit self-esteem, because either association with an attractive other or distancing from an unattractive other should bolster self-esteem. Support for this interpretation comes from studies in which tendencies to bask in reflected glory or to engage in self-enhancing downward comparison were increased by procedures, such as failing at an ego-involving task or learning that one possesses undesirable personality traits, that temporarily lowered subjects’ self-esteem (e.g., Cialdini & Richardson, 1980; Crocker, Thompson, McGraw, & Ingerman, 1987). Further support comes from studies in which subjects are shown to be biased toward embracing, as self-descriptive, whichever of two opposing traits (extraversion or introversion) is presented as being predictive of personal success (Kunda & Sanitioso, 1989; Sanitioso, Kunda, & Fong, 1990). — Anthony G. Greenwald and Mahzarin R. Banaji, Implicit Social Cognition, 162

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Basking in reflected glory and downward comparison are complementary affiliation strategies for self-esteem. — Anthony G. Greenwald and Mahzarin R. Banaji, Implicit Social Cognition: Attitudes,…, 161; Attributing rejection to discrimination can damage self-esteem rather than protect it — Roderick M. Kramer, Geoffrey J. Leonardelli, Robert W. Livingston, Social Cognition, Social Identity, and…, 129; Attributing disadvantage to systemic bias predicts positive self-esteem. — , Rudman, Laurie A - On the Nature of…, 1070 (+9 more)

Broader Connections

• Discriminating against out-groups directly raises self-esteem #expands (0.85) — John T. Jost and Jim Sidanius, Political Psychology, 2734
• Self-esteem protection may come from combined inward- and outward-directed defenses #expands (0.82) — John F. Dovidio, Peter Glick, Laurie A. Rudman, On the Nature of Prejudice, 1099
• Stigmatized individuals protect self-esteem by disengaging from feedback in negatively stereotyped domains #exemplifies (0.80) — , Rudman, Laurie A - On the Nature of…, 966
• Attributing rejection to discrimination can damage self-esteem rather than protect it #complicates (0.78) — Roderick M. Kramer, Geoffrey J. Leonardelli, Robert W. Livingston, Social Cognition, Social Identity, and…, 129
• Attributing disadvantage to structural causes rather than personal character protects self-esteem. #exemplifies (0.78) — John F. Dovidio, Peter Glick, Laurie A. Rudman, On the Nature of Prejudice, 1070
• Self-esteem threat spurs ingroup favoritism, but chronic low self-esteem does not #expands (0.78) — , Rudman, Laurie A - On the Nature of…, 343
• Similarity-attraction functions as an implicit shield for self-esteem #exemplifies (0.76) — Anthony G. Greenwald and Mahzarin R. Banaji, Implicit Social Cognition, 165
• Attributing disadvantage to systemic bias predicts positive self-esteem. #exemplifies (0.75) — , Rudman, Laurie A - On the Nature of…, 1070
• Attributing disadvantage to structural causes boosts self-esteem in Blacks #exemplifies (0.74)
• A consensual status system can paradoxically protect group self-esteem from comparison #corroborates (0.72)
• Downward and intraclass comparisons protect the self-esteem of low-status groups #exemplifies (0.72)