The functional domain specificity of self-esteem and the differential prediction of aggression.

Full Abstract

On the basis of an evolutionary theory of self-esteem (SE), it was hypothesized that the SE-aggression relationship differs across functionally distinct domains of SE and across contexts. In 2 experiments, participants had the opportunity to aggress against the evaluator of an essay they had written. In Study 1, self-perceived superiority was positively related to aggression, whereas social inclusion was inversely related to aggression. In Study 2, in which the context was altered to simulate a mating competition, only a measure of self-perceived mate value emerged as a (positive) predictor of aggression. Global SE failed to contribute to the prediction of aggression in either experiment. Statistically controlling for narcissism did not eliminate either set of findings. Implications for the conceptualization and measurement of SE and narcissism are discussed.

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Author information

Author/s: Kirkpatrick, Lee A (LA); Waugh, Christian E (CE); Valencia, Alelhie (A); Webster, Gregory D (GD);

Affiliation: Department of Psychology, College of William & Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia 23187-8795, USA.

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: Journal of personality and social psychology (J Pers Soc Psychol), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2002-May; vol 82 (issue 5) : pp 756-67

Dates: Created 2002/05/10; Completed 2002/10/24; Revised 2006/11/15;

PMID: 12003475, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 11/6/2008)

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Female
Humans
Male
Risk Factors
Self Concept
Students - psychology

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