Not All Self-affirmations Were Created Equal: The Cognitive and Social Benefits of Affirming The Intrinsic (vs. Extrinsic) Self

Three studies investigated whether affirming the self intrinsically (vs. extrinsically) would reduce defensive concerns and improve cognitive and social functioning in evaluative contexts. Study 1 found that an intrinsic self-affirmation reduced self-handicapping and increased performance on a threatening serial subtraction task relative to an extrinsic self-affirmation. Study 2 replicated the effects of Study 1, showing that an intrinsic (vs. extrinsic) self-affirmation increased women's performance on a math test under conditions that arouse stereotype threat. A third study extended these findings to threatening social contexts. Focusing participants on intrinsic (vs. extrinsic) aspects of self reduced thoughts about social rejection prior to an evaluative social interaction. Discussion focused on the need for further investigation into the multifaceted nature of the self and self-esteem.