Abstract
Extrinsic contingency focus reflects people's tendency to derive self-esteem by meeting socially (versus personally) defined standards. Three studies examined the relationship between extrinsic contingency focus (ECF) and responses to social ideals. The results of Studies 1 and 2 showed that exposure to advertisements that contained idealized body images led high-ECF participants to engage in behaviors directed toward the attainment of the ideal. For low-ECF participants, exposure to this type of advertisement led to behaviors aimed at resisting the social ideal. Study 3 showed that self-affirmation reduced striving to meet and resist social ideals among high- and low-ECF individuals. Implications of these findings relative to the body image literature and directions for future research are discussed.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 398-418 |
Number of pages | 21 |
Journal | Self and Identity |
Volume | 13 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Jul 2014 |
ASJC Scopus Subject Areas
- General Psychology