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- Title
The Hubris Hypothesis: You Can Self-Enhance, But You'd Better Not Show It.
- Authors
Hoorens, Vera; Pandelaere, Mario; Oldersma, Frans; Sedikides, Constantine
- Abstract
We tested whether and why observers dislike individuals who convey self-superiority through blatant social comparison (the hubris hypothesis). Participants read self-superiority claims ('I am better than others'; Experiments 1-7), noncomparative positive claims ('I am good'; Experiments 1-2, 4), self-equality claims ('I am as good as others'; Experiments 3-4, 6), temporally comparative self-superiority claims ('I am better than I used to be'; Experiment 5), other-superiority claims ('S/he is better than others'; Experiment 6), and self-superiority claims accompanied by persistent disclaimers (Experiment 7). They judged the claim and the claimant (Experiments 1-7) and made inferences about the claimant's self-view and view of others (Experiments 4-7) as well as the claimant's probable view of them (Experiment 7). Self-superiority claims elicited unfavorable evaluations relative to all other claims. Evaluation unfavorability was accounted for by the perception that the claimant implied a negative view of others (Experiments 4-6) and particularly of the observer (Experiment 7). Supporting the hubris hypothesis, participants disliked individuals who communicated self-superiority beliefs in an explicitly comparative manner. Self-superiority beliefs may provoke undesirable interpersonal consequences when they are explicitly communicated to others but not when they are disguised as noncomparative positive self-claims or self-improvement claims.
- Subjects
SELF-actualization (Psychology); SELF-perception testing; INTERPERSONAL relations; PERSONALITY; RESEARCH
- Publication
Journal of Personality, 2012, Vol 80, Issue 5, p1237
- ISSN
0022-3506
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1111/j.1467-6494.2011.00759.x