Two potential developmental costs of high self-esteem were investigated. One was that high self-esteem leads children to act on antisocial cognitions (the disposition activating hypothesis). The other was that high self-esteem leads children to rationalize antisocial conduct (the disposition-rationalizing hypothesis). Both hypotheses were explored in two longitudinal studies with preadolescents. In Study 1 (N = 189) the antisocial behavior was aggression; in Study 2 (N = 407) the antisocial behavior under focus was avoidance of the mother. There was little evidence for the disposition-activating hypothesis in either study but considerable support for the disposition-rationalizing hypothesis in both studies. Over time, aggressive children with high self-esteem increasingly valued the rewards that aggression offers and belittled their victims, and avoidant children with high self-esteem increasingly viewed their mother as harassing and uninvolved. Results therefore suggest that for antisocial children, high self-esteem carries costs, for both themselves and others. / by Madhavi Menon. / Vita. / Thesis (Ph. D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2007. / Includes bibliography. / Also available in print. / Electronic reproduction. Boca Raton, FL : 2007 Mode of access: World Wide Web.

Superstitious behavior is still a common occurrence in modern society, seemingly impervious to intellectual progress that humans have made throughout history. While the desire to maintain a sense of control over one's environment has been investigated as one of the key motivations behind superstitious behavior, it has yet to be examined within the context of the self-concept. Threats to one's sense of control can also be construed as general threats to one's global sense of self-worth. Consequently, while superstitious behavior may be triggered by control threats, it may also occur as a result of any general threat to self-integrity. Moreover, if superstitious behavior is motivated by the desire to maintain overall self-integrity, then depriving individuals of a chance to engage in superstitious behavior should elicit subsequent attempts to repair self-integrity via alternative means. Three studies were conducted in order to establish this link between self functioning and superstitious behavior. Studies 1a and 1b did not find any evidence that manipulating the self-concept prior to an event designed to evoke superstition would increase the desire to engage in superstitious behavior. Threatening (or boosting) one's self-esteem prior to a game of chance did not affect participant's desire to use a superstitious strategy (aura color). Study 2 provided evidence that superstitious behavior is motivated by a desire to maintain self-integrity by showing that individuals deprived of their aura color prior to a game of chance were more likely to engage in self-affirmation subsequently. It also showed that the impact of depriving individuals of a superstitious strategy is independent of belief in such strategy. / Study 2, however, did not find evidence that chronic self-esteem, self-esteem stability, or an individual's desire for control moderated this effect. Possible reasons for this lack of support for our hypotheses are discussed. / by Ryan M. Moyer. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2010. / Includes bibliography. / Electronic reproduction. Boca Raton, Fla., 2010. Mode of access: World Wide Web.

There is substantial evidence that self-defeating behaviors appear regularly among populations considered psychologically stable. While there has been abundant research on self-esteem, self-efficacy, personality traits, and fear of success as independent constructs, little is known regarding the combined effect of these constructs on the self-defeating behaviors of performing artists. Examining self-defeating behaviors among performing artists is significant because this population is susceptible to self-sabotaging behaviors, underscoring the need to understand their behaviors. The purpose of this quantitative correlational study was to examine whether self-esteem, self-efficacy, personality, and fear of success predicted self-defeating behaviors among performing artists. Bandura's self-efficacy theory and the Baumeister self-esteem theory were used as the theoretical foundations for the study. A cross-sectional self-administered survey was used to collect data about how self-esteem, self-efficacy, personality, and fear of success affected the self-defeating behavior of performing artists from a convenience sample of 100 performing artists in New York City. The following assessment tools were used: Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, General Perceived Self-Efficacy Scale, Big Five Inventory, Fear of Success Scale, and the Lay Procrastination Scale. Results indicated a significant relationship between the self-efficacy, self-esteem, personality, and fear of success on self-defeating behavior in performance artists. The implications for positive social change include the potential to help current and future performing artists recognize and manage their self-defeating behaviors, thus preventing disengagement at work, depression, and frustration.

Thesis (D. Min.)--Western Seminary, Portland, Or., 2000. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 531-554).

Thesis (D. Min.)--Western Seminary, Portland, Or., 2000. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 531-554).