Effects of interaction goals and personality feedback on the presentation of self.

Abstract

During a 30-min. interview Ss were (a) either exposed to a type of social feedback called reflective reinforcement or not exposed to such feedback, (b) presented this feedback in either a personal or impersonal manner, and (c) instructed either to be accurate about themselves or to make a good impression. As predicted, the positive character of the Ss' self-description increased to a greater extent under feedback than under conditions of no feedback. However, the variation in personalism had minimal consequences. Ss instructed to make a good impression demonstrated a greater increase in positiveness than did accurate Ss. The generalization of the responses produced by these manipulations and the role of awareness were also explored. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)