Abstract
Choice of personality characteristics in a partner for a cooperative or competitive interaction was studied as a function of manipulated self-esteem levels. Individuals low in self-esteem differentiated sharply between the two situations, seeking a desirable partner in cooperation and a less desirable partner for competition, while high-esteem individuals responded similarly in the 2 situations. The results suggest that when the situation permits, low-esteem individuals will seek success rather than confirm their negative self-image by choosing to fail.
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References
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The authors are grateful to Howard Fromkin for comments on an earlier version of this manuscript.
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Deaux, K.K., Coppess, C. Partner Preferences for Cooperative and Competitive Tasks: The Effect of Self-Esteem. Psychol Rec 21, 265–268 (1971). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03394018
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03394018