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Diminishing the Perceived Importance of the Self: An Alternative Route to Self-Protection

Mizoguchi, Nobuko
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1344524035

Abstract Details

2012, Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Ohio University, Psychology (Arts and Sciences).
A large body of literature has documented the existence of numerous strategies designed to protect and promote the self-concept. Indeed, a number of researchers have viewed affirming and asserting self-aspects as the primary vehicle for promoting resilience in the face of threat and maintaining positive overall self-evaluations. The present studies depart from this approach and instead propose an alternative means by which one may alleviate the personal impact of negative life events—diminishing one’s perceived importance. It is argued that diminishing one’s perceived importance by viewing oneself within the context of a broader life perspective (i.e., within “the grand scheme of things”) can help ameliorate the deleterious psychological consequences of negative events. Study 1 demonstrated that the construct of diminished self-importance can be manipulated by video exposure to nature images in a laboratory setting. Study 2 examined whether diminishing the perceived self-importance would help alleviate stressful reactions to hypothetical negative events. Study 3 and 4 attempted to show that diminished self-importance induced by other manipulation techniques would buffer the impact of actual negative events and that the effects were moderated by levels of state self-esteem. The results provided partial support for the hypothesis that diminished self- importance serves as a buffer against negative events. Discussion focuses on issues associated with manipulating the construct of diminished self-importance as well as directions for future research.
Keith Markman, Ph.D. (Committee Chair)
Matthew Vess, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
Peggy Zoccol, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
Amy Taylor-Bianco, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
85 p.
Psychology; Social Psychology
self; self-protection; self-resources; diminished self-importance

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Mizoguchi, N. (2012). Diminishing the Perceived Importance of the Self: An Alternative Route to Self-Protection [Doctoral dissertation, Ohio University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1344524035

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Mizoguchi, Nobuko. Diminishing the Perceived Importance of the Self: An Alternative Route to Self-Protection. 2012. Ohio University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1344524035.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Mizoguchi, Nobuko. "Diminishing the Perceived Importance of the Self: An Alternative Route to Self-Protection." Doctoral dissertation, Ohio University, 2012. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1344524035

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ohiou1344524035
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© 2012, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Ohio University and OhioLINK.