Topic: Reversing Negative Self Views Date: Wednesday 28th March, 2012 Introduction

Kwasi Akeem Worrell 809000558

According to the article, there are two ways in which society prefers feedback. The first option is by Self-enhancement where praise and adoration is presented for actions an individual perform. The second is by self-verification which is presenting criticism and telling the truth. Self-Verification brings forth motivation and strives for the self-concept. However, feedback produced is not always negative. This is especially true for persons with favourable views of themselves. In this case it can be hard to distinguish between self-verification and selfenhancement. Excess self enhancement feedback can lead to acting in the way of the negative feedback. This was confirmed in research where therapists attempted to change negative views of people who abuse drugs (Linehan 1997). The therapist must also determine that the patients self-view is unjustified before further therapy can be done. Reversing negative self-views can be done by two ways. The therapist can either present extreme self-verification (e.g. calling a non-assertive by calling them a complete doormat as tested by Swann in 1997). The second option is for patients to gain the support of key interaction partners such as family and friends because negative self-views are stabilized by interaction partners that provide a steady stream of negative feedback. (Swann and Predmore, 1985). Changing the negative view involves changing the social feedback one receives day after day. Criticisms I agree that presenting extreme self-verification can change negative self-views because if someone is not told the truth, they will not be motivated to change that negative view and make themselves better. I also believe that presenting self-enhancement cannot effectively eliminate

Topic: Reversing Negative Self Views Date: Wednesday 28th March, 2012

Kwasi Akeem Worrell 809000558

negative self-views because constant praise and positive reinforcement may maintain that negative view and the person will not strive to be the better self. Alternatively, I do not believe that the support of friends and family can effectively eliminate a self-view. These partners may be afraid of the persons reaction if they are told that the persons self-view is wrong. I also believe that in certain situations, self-enhancement can be useful. There may be situations which may prove too stressful to an individual and unfavourable criticism may not be helpful at that time. In these cases, praise and adoration should be administered so that the individual may feel better at that moment. Finally, self-verification may also cause the person to act toward the negative self-view in cases with someone with low selfesteem. If given criticism, they may be enabled to act toward the negative self-view. Further Research I did not think that the article adequately addressed why self-enhancement was a poor method in reversing negative self-views so I did some research on this. Self-enhancement brings short term self-esteem, increase persistence, provides effective coping, and resiliency. Nevertheless, excessive self-enhancement can predispose a person to excessive risk taking leading to physical injury, creating ineffective action plans, and reducing action readiness. They may also be seen as conceited, defensive, uninteresting, and hostile, causing discomfort in social setting. Suggestions for Future Research For further research, I will like to know if the preference of feedback is determined by parental/caretaker style (e.g. if the parent is authoritative, authoritarian, permissive, or uninvolved). Also, I believe that more research should be done on the failure of self enhancement as a means of reversing self-views.

Topic: Reversing Negative Self Views Date: Wednesday 28th March, 2012

Kwasi Akeem Worrell 809000558

Bibliography Sedikides, C., Hardin, D. P., Herbst, K. C., & Dardis, G. J. (2002). Accountability as a Deterrent to Self-Enhancement: The Search for Mechanisms. Journal of Presonality and Social Psychology, 592-605. Reeve, J. (2009). Understanding motivation and emotion (5th. Edition). New York: John Wiley & Sons Swann, W. B., Jr. (1983). Self-verification: Bringing social reality into harmony with the self.