Poster Title

Presenter Information

Institution

University of Kentucky

Faculty ​Advisor/​ Mentor

Rick Hoyle

Abstract

Current psychological research on self-esteem focuses on the various factors that give rise to feelings about the self.  One theory posits that self-esteem is based on the degree to which one feels included in a group.  Another theory proposes that selfesteem comes from many domains that may or may not include belonging to a group.  This experiment seeks to examine the effects of social acceptance and rejection on self-esteem.  Participants were identified as having self-esteem that is based on inclusion-exclusion in a pre-screening measure.  During the experiment they wrote about a time in which they were included or excluded from a group.  The experiment concluded with measures of self-esteem.  The predictions are that high self-esteem people whose self-esteem is predicated on inclusion-exclusion will show a defensive reaction that results in an ironic but temporary boost in self-esteem following an experience of exclusion.  Low self-esteem people whose self-esteem is based on inclusion-exclusion are expected to show a temporary decline in self-esteem after an experience of exclusion.  Self-esteem should temporarily rise for high and low selfesteem people following an experience of social inclusion. 

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Effects of Social Acceptance and Rejection on Self-Esteem

Current psychological research on self-esteem focuses on the various factors that give rise to feelings about the self.  One theory posits that self-esteem is based on the degree to which one feels included in a group.  Another theory proposes that selfesteem comes from many domains that may or may not include belonging to a group.  This experiment seeks to examine the effects of social acceptance and rejection on self-esteem.  Participants were identified as having self-esteem that is based on inclusion-exclusion in a pre-screening measure.  During the experiment they wrote about a time in which they were included or excluded from a group.  The experiment concluded with measures of self-esteem.  The predictions are that high self-esteem people whose self-esteem is predicated on inclusion-exclusion will show a defensive reaction that results in an ironic but temporary boost in self-esteem following an experience of exclusion.  Low self-esteem people whose self-esteem is based on inclusion-exclusion are expected to show a temporary decline in self-esteem after an experience of exclusion.  Self-esteem should temporarily rise for high and low selfesteem people following an experience of social inclusion.