Effects of intergroup upward comparison, trait self-esteem, and identity shift on state self-esteem and affect in upward comparison with in-group members

Isobe Chikae

Ura Mitsuhiro

Asian Journal of Social Psychology

The present study investigated factors that protect people low in trait self-esteem (Low-SEs), who may be less skilled at constructing information in self-enhancing manners, from threats after interpersonal upward comparison with in-group members. We hypothesized that even Low-SEs can maintain their state self-esteem under intergroup upward comparison. Furthermore, this study explored the possibility that individuals used identity-shift, a strategy to maintain their personal identity, even in an intergroup upward comparison condition. The results of a quasi-experiment supported these hypotheses. We further explored the possibility that individuals might use a twofold strategy to protect/enhance their self-esteem based on an interplay of personal and social identity.

identity shift

intergroup comparison

interpersonal comparison

trait self-esteem

Psychology [ 140 ]

eng

Blackwell Publishing

Copyright (c) 2006 Blackwell Publishing Ltd with the Asian Association of Social Psychology and the Japanese Group Dynamics Association. The definitive version is available at www.blackwell-synergy.com

[NCID] AA11235034

[ISSN] 1367-2223

[DOI] 10.1111/j.1467-839X.2006.00171.x

[DOI] http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-839X.2006.00171.x isVersionOf