Self-reference in elaborative processing of desirability of trait adjectives

Psychol Rep. 2005 Jun;96(3 Pt 2):1055-65. doi: 10.2466/pr0.96.3c.1055-1065.

Abstract

We investigated whether the desirability of trait adjectives was elaboratively processed during self-reference tasks (Exp. 1-1, 1-2) and whether desirability information played a role in memory processes in self-reference tasks (Exp. 2). In Exp. 1-1, 14 participants performed a series of initial tasks and target tasks, which were self-reference, evaluative, or semantic. Responses on the evaluating target task were faster when the initial task was self-reference rather than semantic. Exp. 1-2 demonstrated that information relevant to the evaluative task did not facilitate the process of performing an other-reference task. Although there was no evidence that desirability information had a role in the self-reference effect in Exp. 2, desirability of trait adjectives was specifically processed during self-reference tasks.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Reaction Time
  • Self Concept*
  • Social Desirability*