Regulating Connection: The role of the implicit self
In response to threat, goals for connection may become automatically activated. We propose that our more automatic, implicit self-evaluations should regulate these goals. Therefore, in a series of studies we have been exploring the relation between implicit self-esteem and connection promoting behavior following threat. We have found that, when perceptions of commitment are high, people high (vs. low) in implicit self-esteem engage in more positive nonverbal behavior toward their romantic partner during conflict (Peterson & DeHart, 2013). These findings suggest that implicit self-esteem may play a particularly important role in motivating connection.
We are also exploring whether experimental manipulations that heighten feelings of connection allow people with more negative implicit self-evaluations to experience their relationships positively. For example, research in the stereotyping and discrimination literature suggests that perspective-taking results in a merging of self with others. Our research suggests that perspective-taking may have similar benefits for close relationships. That is, while people with low (vs. high) implicit self-esteem report less overlap between mental representations of the self and close others under neutral conditions, people low in implicit self-esteem significantly increase the cognitive overlap between self and other following a perspective-taking manipulation, suggesting perspective-taking is one way to improve relationship closeness among people with low implicit self-esteem (Peterson, Bellows, & Peterson, 2015).
Unfortunately, not all people respond positively to connection promoting events. For example, people high in attachment-related anxiety report greater anxieties and ambivalence when feelings of relationship security are activated. Therefore, in another series of studies we are investigating whether anxiously attached people also experience a decrease in implicit feelings of self-worth in response to security. Across several studies we found that participants high (vs. low) in attachment anxiety report more negative implicit self-evaluations after thinking about a security enhancing interaction. These studies reveal that, for people who are anxiously attached, there may be something implicitly threatening about receiving care and support from a loved one (Peterson, 2014). We believe that identifying how positive events influence implicit evaluations may prove particularly important for understanding disparities in well-being across attachment styles.
In response to threat, goals for connection may become automatically activated. We propose that our more automatic, implicit self-evaluations should regulate these goals. Therefore, in a series of studies we have been exploring the relation between implicit self-esteem and connection promoting behavior following threat. We have found that, when perceptions of commitment are high, people high (vs. low) in implicit self-esteem engage in more positive nonverbal behavior toward their romantic partner during conflict (Peterson & DeHart, 2013). These findings suggest that implicit self-esteem may play a particularly important role in motivating connection.
We are also exploring whether experimental manipulations that heighten feelings of connection allow people with more negative implicit self-evaluations to experience their relationships positively. For example, research in the stereotyping and discrimination literature suggests that perspective-taking results in a merging of self with others. Our research suggests that perspective-taking may have similar benefits for close relationships. That is, while people with low (vs. high) implicit self-esteem report less overlap between mental representations of the self and close others under neutral conditions, people low in implicit self-esteem significantly increase the cognitive overlap between self and other following a perspective-taking manipulation, suggesting perspective-taking is one way to improve relationship closeness among people with low implicit self-esteem (Peterson, Bellows, & Peterson, 2015).
Unfortunately, not all people respond positively to connection promoting events. For example, people high in attachment-related anxiety report greater anxieties and ambivalence when feelings of relationship security are activated. Therefore, in another series of studies we are investigating whether anxiously attached people also experience a decrease in implicit feelings of self-worth in response to security. Across several studies we found that participants high (vs. low) in attachment anxiety report more negative implicit self-evaluations after thinking about a security enhancing interaction. These studies reveal that, for people who are anxiously attached, there may be something implicitly threatening about receiving care and support from a loved one (Peterson, 2014). We believe that identifying how positive events influence implicit evaluations may prove particularly important for understanding disparities in well-being across attachment styles.
Regulating Connection: Narcissism
We have also been investigating how overly inflated self-views influence responses to relationship conflict and romantic rejection. For example, during a videotaped conflict discussion, people high (vs. low) in narcissism were observed by independent coders as engaging in significantly more negative behaviors (i.e., criticizing, name-calling, insulting) toward their romantic partner. Post-conflict, narcissists reported feeling less committed to their relationships, while reporting that their partners felt more committed to their relationships (Peterson & DeHart, 2014). We are currently exploring the intriguing possibility that decreases in own commitment and increases in perceived partner commitment might be a nonconscious or unintentional way for narcissists protect the self from relationship threats. In addition, in collaboration with Dr. Tracy DeHart at Loyola University of Chicago, we are exploring whether decreases in implicit self-esteem in response to relationship threats may be one cause of the negative behaviors exhibited by narcissists during conflict (preliminary data presented at SPSP 2015).
Relatedly, we are exploring how mate-value threats (e.g., romantic rejection) affect women’s self-worth, acceptance of socially sanctioned methods of increasing female attractiveness (e.g., make-up products, cosmetic surgery, dieting), and sexual selectivity. Preliminary analyses suggest that narcissistic women in particular respond to mate-value threats (vs. control) by decreasing esteem, increasing acceptance of cosmetic surgery, and foreseeing themselves with a greater number of sexual partners in the next 5 years.
We have also been investigating how overly inflated self-views influence responses to relationship conflict and romantic rejection. For example, during a videotaped conflict discussion, people high (vs. low) in narcissism were observed by independent coders as engaging in significantly more negative behaviors (i.e., criticizing, name-calling, insulting) toward their romantic partner. Post-conflict, narcissists reported feeling less committed to their relationships, while reporting that their partners felt more committed to their relationships (Peterson & DeHart, 2014). We are currently exploring the intriguing possibility that decreases in own commitment and increases in perceived partner commitment might be a nonconscious or unintentional way for narcissists protect the self from relationship threats. In addition, in collaboration with Dr. Tracy DeHart at Loyola University of Chicago, we are exploring whether decreases in implicit self-esteem in response to relationship threats may be one cause of the negative behaviors exhibited by narcissists during conflict (preliminary data presented at SPSP 2015).
Relatedly, we are exploring how mate-value threats (e.g., romantic rejection) affect women’s self-worth, acceptance of socially sanctioned methods of increasing female attractiveness (e.g., make-up products, cosmetic surgery, dieting), and sexual selectivity. Preliminary analyses suggest that narcissistic women in particular respond to mate-value threats (vs. control) by decreasing esteem, increasing acceptance of cosmetic surgery, and foreseeing themselves with a greater number of sexual partners in the next 5 years.