An Implicit Theory of Self-Esteem: The Consequences of Perceived Self-Esteem for Romantic Desirability

Authors

Virgil Zeigler-Hill, University of Southern MississippiFollow
Erin M. Myers, University of Southern MississippiFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2011

Department

Psychology

Abstract

The provision of information appears to be an important property of self-esteem as evidenced by previous research concerning the status-tracking and status-signaling models of self-esteem. The present studies examine whether there is an implicit theory of self-esteem that leads individuals to assume targets with higher levels of self-esteem possess more desirable characteristics than those with lower levels of self-esteem. Across 6 studies, targets with ostensibly higher levels of self-esteem were generally rated as more attractive and as more desirable relationship partners than those with lower levels of self-esteem. It is important to note, however, that this general trend did not consistently emerge for female targets. Rather, female targets with high self-esteem were often evaluated less positively than those with more moderate levels of self-esteem. The present findings are discussed in the context of an extended informational model of self-esteem consisting of both the status-tracking and status-signaling properties of self-esteem.

Publication Title

Evolutionary Psychology

Volume

9

Issue

2

First Page

147

Last Page

180

Recommended Citation

Zeigler-Hill, V., Myers, E. M. (2011). An Implicit Theory of Self-Esteem: The Consequences of Perceived Self-Esteem for Romantic Desirability. Evolutionary Psychology, 9(2), 147-180.
Available at: https://aquila.usm.edu/fac_pubs/621