Skip to Main Content
 

Global Search Box

 
 
 
 

ETD Abstract Container

Abstract Header

Self-Distancing and Its Benefits: The Role of Social Perspective-Taking

Abstract Details

2018, Master of Arts, Ohio State University, Psychology.
This study explored the role of social perspective-taking in accounting for the relationship that has been found between self-distancing and benefits such as lower emotional reactivity. Studies have shown that self-distancing can help people come to terms with emotionally upsetting experiences. We used both quantitative and qualitative methods to investigate the processes that account for this relationship. 352 undergraduates reflected on a recent interpersonal conflict that still aroused strong emotions. Those who reflected on the conflict from a psychologically distanced perspective reported less intense feelings. Regression analyses indicated that social perspective-taking (e.g., reflecting on the conflict from the viewpoint of the other person) substantially mediated the relationship between self-distancing and lower emotional reactivity. A content analysis found that most of respondents’ open-ended reflections on the conflict were scorable in terms of categories of social perspective-taking. Greater insight into the processes by which self-distancing promotes lower emotional reactivity and other benefits can enhance the effectiveness of cognitive interventions in therapeutic and educational contexts.
John Gibbs (Advisor)
Stephen Petrill (Committee Member)
Susan Johnson (Committee Member)
46 p.

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Lee, D. (2018). Self-Distancing and Its Benefits: The Role of Social Perspective-Taking [Master's thesis, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1521633477307586

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Lee, Dasom. Self-Distancing and Its Benefits: The Role of Social Perspective-Taking. 2018. Ohio State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1521633477307586.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Lee, Dasom. "Self-Distancing and Its Benefits: The Role of Social Perspective-Taking." Master's thesis, Ohio State University, 2018. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1521633477307586

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)