Studies in Symbolic Interaction: II. An Experimental Analysis of Self-Referent Behavior

Abstract

In a study designed to identify the determinants of accurate self-referent behavior, Ss predicted their individual performances on arithmetic and clerical tasks and indicated self-descriptive traits and roles on the Adjective Check List and the Twenty Statements Test. Traits and roles characterizing accurate or inaccurate predictors were then presented to additional Ss before they predicted their scores on the same taks. As hypothesized, the self-ascription of traits and roles associated with baseline accuracy increased predictive accuracy, and inaccurate ascriptions decreased accuracy. The findings are consistent with Mead’s symbolic interactionist approach of self-referent action and suggest that the experimental analysis of behavior may shed further light on the antecedents of accurate self-prediction and self-control.