Abstract
This research examines the opposing theories that high self-esteem is responsible for aggression and that low self-esteem is responsible for aggression. Our findings suggest that both theories may be correct. Targets' self-esteem and self-reported physical aggression were assessed; additionally, targets' roommates reported their esteem for the target. In support of both theories, self-esteem was related to aggression in a curvilinear fashion, such that very low and very high self-esteem people were more likely to report physical aggression than moderate self-esteem people. This phenomenon was partly qualified by interpersonal context; specifically, participants who thought more positively of themselves than their roommates thought of them as well as participants who thought less positively of themselves than their roommates thought of them reported higher levels of physical aggression. Those whose self-esteem (low or high) corresponded to roommates' esteem of them did not report physical aggression. These findings inform psychological theories of aggression, especially regarding self-views and interpersonal reality.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 607-620 |
| Number of pages | 14 |
| Journal | Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology |
| Volume | 24 |
| Issue number | 5 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Aug 2005 |
| Externally published | Yes |
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ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Psychology(all)
- Clinical Psychology
- Social Psychology
Cite this
Discrepancies between self-and other-esteem as correlates of aggression. / Perez La Mar, Marisol; Vohs, Kathleen D.; Joiner, Thomas E.
In: Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, Vol. 24, No. 5, 08.2005, p. 607-620.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Discrepancies between self-and other-esteem as correlates of aggression
AU - Perez La Mar, Marisol
AU - Vohs, Kathleen D.
AU - Joiner, Thomas E.
PY - 2005/8
Y1 - 2005/8
N2 - This research examines the opposing theories that high self-esteem is responsible for aggression and that low self-esteem is responsible for aggression. Our findings suggest that both theories may be correct. Targets' self-esteem and self-reported physical aggression were assessed; additionally, targets' roommates reported their esteem for the target. In support of both theories, self-esteem was related to aggression in a curvilinear fashion, such that very low and very high self-esteem people were more likely to report physical aggression than moderate self-esteem people. This phenomenon was partly qualified by interpersonal context; specifically, participants who thought more positively of themselves than their roommates thought of them as well as participants who thought less positively of themselves than their roommates thought of them reported higher levels of physical aggression. Those whose self-esteem (low or high) corresponded to roommates' esteem of them did not report physical aggression. These findings inform psychological theories of aggression, especially regarding self-views and interpersonal reality.
AB - This research examines the opposing theories that high self-esteem is responsible for aggression and that low self-esteem is responsible for aggression. Our findings suggest that both theories may be correct. Targets' self-esteem and self-reported physical aggression were assessed; additionally, targets' roommates reported their esteem for the target. In support of both theories, self-esteem was related to aggression in a curvilinear fashion, such that very low and very high self-esteem people were more likely to report physical aggression than moderate self-esteem people. This phenomenon was partly qualified by interpersonal context; specifically, participants who thought more positively of themselves than their roommates thought of them as well as participants who thought less positively of themselves than their roommates thought of them reported higher levels of physical aggression. Those whose self-esteem (low or high) corresponded to roommates' esteem of them did not report physical aggression. These findings inform psychological theories of aggression, especially regarding self-views and interpersonal reality.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=27844544444&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=27844544444&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1521/jscp.2005.24.5.607
DO - 10.1521/jscp.2005.24.5.607
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:27844544444
VL - 24
SP - 607
EP - 620
JO - Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology
JF - Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology
SN - 0736-7236
IS - 5
ER -