Friedman, Howard S. Effects of self-esteem and expected duration of interaction on liking for a highly rewarding partner. Of special interest are a person's reactions to receiving uncommonly high rewards. The present study addressed this issue by examining the development of same-sex liking in 40 female college students. It was hypothesized that Subjects with lowered self-esteem, having a great need for interpersonal rewards, would react favorably to the receipt of such rewards, even if undeserved. Subjects with raised self-esteem, on the other hand, having had their need for rewards met, should respond unfavorably to the receipt of high rewards, desiring a more equitable distribution of reward.
Results confirm the predictions.