Reversing Negative Self Views

Kwasi Akeem Worrell

Introduction

Did you ever feel like you were never good enough for something?
Was this true? How did you get over it? Someone telling you that it was not good (verification), or compliment, praise, etc (enhancement)?

Summary

Two ways in which society prefers feedback:

Self-enhancement. The presentation of praise and adoration for actions an individual perform
Self-verification. Telling the truth.

What type of feedback does society prefer???

Types of feedback

Self-verification brings forth motivation and strives for the self-concept. The feedback produced is not always negative, especially true for persons with favorable views of themselves.

In this case it can be hard to distinguish between selfverification and self-enhancement.

Self-Verification

Therapists should not underestimate the strength of motivation to self verify.

To reverse negative self-views, the therapist must determine that the patients self-view is unjustified before further work is done. The therapist can then choose two ways in which self-views are reconstructed:

Present extreme self-verification Gain support of key interaction partners. (friends, family, etc.)

Reversing Self Views

Agree

Disagree

Presenting extreme self-verification can change negative self-views. Presenting selfenhancement can make negative self views.

Support of friends and families can effectively eliminate it In certain situations, self-enhancement can be useful Self verification may also cause the person to act toward the negative self view

Criticisms

One sure way to stir people up is to tell them that they are neat what they think they are. (William B. Swann) Self enhancement brings short term self esteem, persistence, effective coping, resiliency Also brings about excessive risk taking leading to physical injury, ineffective action plans, reduced action readiness, may be seen as conceited, defensive, uninteresting, hostilic. Causing discomfort in social setting. [Talk about low self esteem and marriage]

What About Self Enhancement?

Is the preference of feedback determined by parental/caretaker style? More instances of self enhancement failure.

Suggestions for Future Research